How do children process information and how do they learn? More importantly, how can we help them to develop the fastest, most efficient learning abilities possible?
How much do we really know about neuroplasticity? What causes this phenomenon? And most importantly, how can we use this scientific knowledge to encourage neuroplasticity in children?
In this article, we will explore what neuroplasticity means - specifically in children, and discuss some ways that you can encourage and further promote it in your own child.
In order to determine the ways to promote neuroplasticity in children first requires an understanding of the actual meaning of the word:
According to Harvard University, neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the human brain to change and adapt throughout life, as a result of the person's environment and experiences, along with new input, which is received by developing new neural pathways to compensate for injury or disease.
Neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brains are able to reorganize their circuitry, and proves that our actions and experiences (both positive and negative) affect how we think, feel, and behave.
Previously, for several decades this phenomenon was only well-studied in adults. However, within the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that neuroplasticity isn't just something that adults experience. It actually begins much earlier than we ever imagined!
So, what is neuroplasticity in children?
In children, neuroplasticity means that their brains are constantly developing, adapting, rewiring, and reshaping, allowing them to learn new skills, process information, and overcome disabilities more easily and faster than adults.
During childhood, your brain goes through a phase of massive growth and development, making it an ideal time to promote neuroplasticity and to set children up for success in learning and memory in the future.
Although this phenomenon is most evident in children, and a typical child's brain is more 'plastic' than an adult's - thereby making it more capable of changing and learning new things, people of all ages can experience neuroplasticity. This can occur through deliberate practice and development.
Essentially, we're all born with a plastic brain due to neuroplasticity. However, in children and teens, it's even more crucial because as they grow up their neurons fire off electrical signals at a high speed during critical periods of development. This helps them to build cognitive abilities such as language skills or spatial reasoning.
Here are 5 ways to help promote neuroplasticity in your child, which will allow them to maximize their brain potential throughout childhood:
1. Create a Positive Learning Environment
Although our lifestyles are capable of creating healthy neural networks, they can also lead us down a destructive path if we're not careful. Therefore, the best way to ensure that children's plastic brains are rewiring in a healthy manner is by making sure that they grow up in a safe, stimulating home environment that promotes learning.
It's also important to be mindful of your child's environment outside of the home and who they are interacting with on a regular basis. Ensure that they are surrounded by safe and positive people and that they make friends with children who are a positive influence on them. Their association with others outside of the home will somehow affect the rewiring of their brain as well - whether it's positive or negative.
2. Become Involved
Parental involvement is essential for shaping children's neural pathways to being as flexible as possible. Parents can encourage neuroplasticity by participating in activities with their kids that will promote brain health. Activities such as reading, cooking together, games and puzzles, music, arts and crafts, or even simply talking to them about your daily activities are great ways to help them to build a positive foundation for a happy future.
3. Encourage Brain Stimulation
It's probably best to start implementing activities that will promote brain stimulation when your child is very young, as researchers have found that engaging in challenging activities (such as playing chess) and learning new skills, builds neural pathways in children that increase memory function later in life.
Teenagers can also benefit from brain stimulation by playing video games (for example, anything with shooting aliens or racing cars), which challenges problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and other cognitive functions. With consistent stimulation, teenagers' brains become so efficient at problem-solving that simply thinking about a math problem can activate certain regions of their brains like an actual physical task would.
4. Promote Activities That Foster Creativity
Activities that foster creativity are a great way to support neuroplasticity. For example, research on bilingualism demonstrates that it can stimulate and improve brain function. In fact, if your child began learning a second language - thus becoming bilingual, this may help them to be better at learning new languages later in life.
There’s also evidence that music (i.e. playing an instrument or even singing) can improve our ability to process and understand language as we age. Make sure that your child takes time each day for fun activities that promote cognitive activity, such as playing chess, reading comic books, writing poetry or music, or anything that gets their mind thinking and working creatively!
5. Encourage Imagination
One benefit of neuroplasticity is that it gives children a great deal of creative freedom and flexibility when it comes to their mental habits. Parents can encourage their child’s imagination with activities like building blocks, painting, coloring, or any project that allows them to follow their own ideas without interruption or evaluation from an adult.
Helpful Resources
For further reading on the topic of neuroplasticity, I recommend reading "The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph," by Norman Doidge, M.D. It is an excellent read about brain rewiring and provides personal stories of people who have experienced success in their own lives through neuroplasticity.
I also recommend the children's book entitled, "Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It," by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. This is a phenomenal book for your child to read on the subject of neuroplasticity and will help them to gain a better understanding of the topic.
Neuroplasticity in children is very essential because it allows them to be adaptable and have optimal brain functioning as they continue to develop cognitively and physically throughout their early years.
To promote neuroplasticity in children, parents and teachers should encourage them to participate in as many stimulating activities as possible that use all parts of their brain when they're young because that can dramatically increase brain development and positively impact them throughout life. Activities like dancing and playing an instrument, swimming, skateboarding, puzzles, reading comprehension, as well as other school subjects are all good examples of activities that help to promote neuroplasticity.
When used correctly, neuroplasticity can help to improve almost every aspect of your child's life - from socialization skills to mathematics ability.
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