Brain Rules

I am currently teaching in Beaconhouse, and as Beaconhouse is the education partner for the "Brain Rules for Parents & Educators", I had the opportunity to listen to the wonderful John Medina for Free! (Thanks, Beaconhouse!)

It was an enriching experience listening to the talk. One major thing I learnt is that there is still so much about the human brain that WE DON"T KNOW! But I shall share with you some things learnt that we do know, and is proven by research.

1. Learning involves Crystallized intelligence and Fluid intelligence, and as with all things, there must be a balance between the two.
Crystallized intelligence is the ability to remember/memorize something. Like it or not, learning involves rote learning. To be "successful" in learning, you definitely need to have good memory!
Fluid intelligence is improvising/making creative associations of the info as soon as the brain receives it.

2. It is important to teach your kids how to deal with FAILURE.
It is WRONG to praise your child like this: You got an A! Good job! You're so smart!
Why? Because when you praise your child for his innate ability, he will see it as, If I score an A, it means I'm smart. If I fail, it means I'm STUPID. They do not understand  why they have failed and will see errors as personal failings.
This is how you should praise your child: You got an A! Good job! You must have worked really hard!
Appealing to their effort allows for growth. Your child then sees it as, If I score an A, it means I worked hard. If I fail, it means I Did Not Work Hard Enough! They perceive errors as problems to be solved.
So, parents and teachers, teach them how to handle failure. We don't need to protect them from failure, but we need to teach them how to face these failures properly.

3. Emotional Stability of the Home directly affects children's academic performances.
How your kid turns out depends on how you reacted when your kids' feekings run hot/ intense.
This is how you should react when your kid is angry, upset, disappointed, frustrated...
FEARLESS - Don't be afraid of what others think. You don't need to be embarrassed if your child throws tantrums in public. Don't all children do that at one point or another? Your priority is your child.
Firstly, set behavioural rules in "stone" and consistently explain them.
You must always be form in your rules, but always make sure you explain them. If your child wants to reach for the vase, instead of saying "NO", say "DANGER! You might get hurt"
Secondly, be aware of children's emotions and help them verbalize them on a consistent basis.
Help your child name his feelings. He wants his teddy bear but it's not here right now? Tell your child, I know you are feeling FRUSTRATED. You miss your teddy bear now, don't you? It's OK to feel frustrated. (Don't we, too, feel frustrated when we don't get what we want?)
Thirdly, exhibit consistent empathic behaviour.
Comfort your child. See things from a child's point of view. Surprisingly, your child will feel better in a while. =)

Do log on to http://www.brainrulesasia.com/ for more info.
John Medina has authored two books: Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby.