Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids. David Walsh, Ph.D.

Transcription

1 Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids David Walsh, Ph.D.

2 For news text (612) * *

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5 CELL BODY Dendrites Nucleus Synapses Myelin sheath AXON Schwann cell Node of Ranvier Synaptic terminals

6 Neurons: Building Blocks of the Brain 100,000,000,000 neurons at birth Each has about 10,000 dendrites (branches) 1,000,000,000,000,000 possible configurations 17% of the neurons are wired at birth

7 Twin Drivers Genetics--- hard wiring Experience The neurons that fire together wire together. Survival of the busiest.

8 Brain s Response to Threat Brain s first pri0rity is survival Some brain circuits act as interstates Response to threat is a hard wired interstate.

9 Infant Response Birth upsets the apple cart. We outsource stress response to caregivers. Eventually a mature cortex allows us to self regulate.

10 Stress Response and Attachment We humans outsource stress response calming. We humans are wired to attach. Attachment Present Attentive Attuned Responsive

11 Thinking Is What We Do When We Don t Know What to Do Most of what the brain s activity doesn t involve thinking. We avoid thinking although we do enjoy it when the conditions are right. Novelty Curiosity Level of difficulty is just right

12 The Sweet Spot of Difficulty If the task is too hard, we give up. If the task is too easy, we get bored. Working on problems that are just right provides rewards, ie. dopamine. Too easy or too hard doesn t squirt dopamine.

13 Try This for the Next 30 Minutes

14 Now Try This for 30 Minutes 1+3= 3+6= 5+5= 3-2= 4+5= 6+2= 2+2= 7+1= 2+5= 9+2= 8-4= 2-1= 7-6= 5-4= 6-3= 10-5= 4-3= 8-7=

15 Intelligence Crystalline--content and procedures in long term memory Fluid--solving novel problems, see connections, manipulate items in working memory

16 Thinking and Memory Many types of memory. Short term, long term, procedural, explicit, implicit, participant, observer, etc. Working memory is key. Capacity is seven chunks of information.

17 Three Essentials for Thinking Information from the environment Information or procedures from long term memory Enough space in working memory. We can t think well if any of the three is missing.

18 Thinking= Combining Information from the Environment with Information from Long Term Memory in Working Memory Long term memory contains information and procedures.

19 Try This! Look at this list of letters and see how many you can remember. X C N N P H D F B I C I A N C A A X

20 Now This List X CNN PHD FBI CIA NCAA X

21 Fluid Intelligence Capacity to solve novel problems, to reason, to see connections. Capacity to manipulate items in working memory. Examples:

22 Attention and Memory Attention and memory work hand in hand. Attention narrows the stream of sensory data. Reactive versus focused attention.

23 Reactive and Focused Attention Reactive attention is hard wired, involuntary, and automatic. It is centered in limbic brain and focuses on anything that moves or is emotionally charged. Focused attention is based in the prefrontal cortex and has to be developed. The ability to concentrate is very important.

24 How to Raise a Child s IQ Question 1. Why is Bill Gates so wealthy? Question 2. Why were the Beatles so successful?

25 Intelligence Hard Wired or Soft Wired? There are clearly genetic factors. However environment is key. - French identical twin study showed environment accounted for as much as 16 IQ points.

26 Self discipline is twice as strong a predictor of academic success as intelligence.

27 Teaching Kids to Say No to Themselves Limits and Consequences Strategy Let children know in advance what the expectation or limit is. Let them know what the consequence will be. Consistently follow up with consequences. Emphasize choice by behavior.

28 Praise Is a Two Edged Sword Praising an innate ability leads to risk avoidance. Insincere praise leads to doubts about competence. Constant praise decreases persistence and need for constant affirmation.

29 Tips for Helpful Praise Praise the effort more than the ability. Encouragement is better than praise. Make praise specific not generic. Praise has to be sincere. Praise should be intermittent, not overdone. Intermittent praise activates the orbito prefrontal cortex (the motivation circuit).

30 Exercise to think and feel better!

31 Happy (dopamine) Stable (seratonin) Energized (norepinephrin)

32 Exercise and the Brain Increases production of endocannabinoids which activate the reward circuits. ( Runner s high)

33 THINK BETTER Exercise produces Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor BDNF Sparks production of Miracle Grow for the Brain

34 Importance of Movement Sedentary activity is bad for our bodies and our brains. For every hour sitting watching TV the risk for premature death increases 11%. Only 18% of children 6-11 years and only 8% of teens meet CDC physical activity guidelines for 60 minutes of vigorous activity per day Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2008.

35 Energy Expenditure in METS (Metabolic Equivalent to Task) Sitting==1.2 Walking=5.0 Basketball game=8.0 Bicycling=10.0

36 Exercise Rx 75% of MRH (maximum heart rate) 30 minutes per session At least 3 times per week.

37 2% of your body weight 20% of your body s energy

38 Brain Fuels: Glucose and Ketones The source for glucose is carbohydrates. The source of ketones is fatty acids which are broken down by the liver. (The brain cannot use fatty acids directly as a fuel.)

39 Brain Fuel: Glucose Carbohydrates are converted to glucose which is then transported to the brain. As glucose is metabolized in the brain oxidation occurs and free radicals are released. Free radicals can damage neurons. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals.

40 Anti-Oxydants to the Rescue to Neutralize Free Radicals Fruits and vegetables, especially leafy, green vegetables. Green tea Nuts and oils Wine Vitamins C and E

41 GLUCOSE = BRAIN FUEL

42 Carbohydrates: Complex or Simple? Complex carbohydrates metabolize slowly and provide a steady supply of glucose. Simple carbohydrates (sugar and processed sweeteners, eg fructose) metabolize quickly and provide shots of glucose followed by dips causing emotional slumps, sleepiness, and problems with concentration. Glycemic index is a good measure.

43 How many names for sugar? Brown rice syrup, Corn sweetener, Corn syrup, Corn syrup Solids, Cane Juice, Dehydrated cane juice, Dextrin, Dextrose, Fructose, Fruit juice concentrate, Glucose, High Fructose corn syrup, Honey, Invert Sugar, Lactose, Maltodextrin, Malt syrup, Maltose, Mannitol, Maple syrup, Molasses, Raw sugar, Rice syrup, Saccharose, Sorbitol, Sorghum, Sorghum syrup, Sucrose, Syrup, Treacle, Turbinado, Xylose and almost any word ending in ose.

44 PROTEINS = BUILDING BLOCKS FOR BRAIN CONNECTIONS (AMINO ACIDS)

45 Brain Food: Proteins Proteins are broken down into amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks for neurotransmitters. Sources: meat, fish, eggs, dairy products Plant sources: beans, legumes, soy, and some vegetables. Quinoa is the only plant source for all nine essential amino acids.

46 FATS: THE BRAIN S INSULATION

47 Good and Bad Fats Good fats: long chain polyunsaturated fats, eg. omega 3s -Dairy products, nuts, seeds, fish, avocados Bad fats: saturated and trans fats, eg partially hydrogenated oils. -Junk food is loaded with bad fats.

48 vs.

49 Brain Food: Good and Bad Fats Good fats create myelin insulation and keep electrical signals intact. Bad fats create stiff brain cell membranes.

50 The brain uses 38 of the 45 essential nutrients the body uses for healthy functioning. Variety variety variety!

51 Brain Food Tips Avoid harsh rules. Eat a rainbow. Plan ahead. Cut down on processed and junk foods. Plant a garden. Learn to cook.

52 Brain Nutrition Tips Avoid food wars. Eat a rainbow. Plan ahead. Have healthy snacks available. Cut down on processed and junk foods. Plant a garden together. Grocery shop together. Cook together.

53 Play: An Endangered Activity Importance of free play - Imagination - Creativity - Socialization Importance of structured play - Cooperation - Team work

54 Sleep The brain circuits stop communicating with one another. Roller coaster ride between three stages of slow wave non-rem sleep and REM sleep. Both are important in memory consolidation, cell repair, and release of important growth hormones. Dreams during REM sleep replay neural patterns, strengthening the learning.

55 Sleep REM sleeps also helps with problem solving. (Ulrich Wagner s study) During sleep the brain aggressively prunes, a type of spring cleaning every night. Sleep consolidates and reinforces learning. (That s why infants sleep so much.)

56 Sleep

57 Sleep Age Need Actual 3-11 Months hours 12.7 hours 1-3 Years hours 11.7 hours 3-5 Years hours 10.7 hours Grades hours 9.5 hours Pre-teens 9.5 hours 8.0 hours Teenagers 9.5 hours 7.5 hours

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