How does the brain high-jack our learning and behaviour?

Mike Scadden. Ulearn, Auckland, 2012

www.brainstems.co.nz

"Some of us learn from other people’s mistakes and the rest of us have to be other people.” Zig Ziglar  http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/50316.Zig_Ziglar

How happy are you to make mistakes?

Do you believe in yourself as a teacher and acknowledge it
We need to learn to do this and to step on it to make it better.
What do you want to do today to be successful?
When you work out what success is for you then it is easier to take action.
It is important to think, question, reflect, take a risk and ask a question out loud.

It’s easy to miss something when you’re not looking for it.

How good are you at spotting your students potential?
How good are you at spotting your potential?
Who have you got in your work and personal life to help direct you?
 

Life creates change

Every decision you make will take you down a learning path.
 
Brain Control
You can control your brain like a machine, feelings as well as thoughts.

If you are told you are fat would you believe it? You actually can find yourself looking for proof that they are right. If you are told you are great then you will be great. We do have the power to overcome negative thoughts. Look at what our students can do and support them.

The power of self-talk

The saying goes ‘garbage in garbage grows’
We don’t know what a child’s potential is because it’s a journey.
Our brain is considered to be a lazy organ. Unless it is challenged it will always revert back to old habits and patterns of thought.
It takes 21 – 28 days to change a habit.
When a child is invited up for reading, writing or testing are we creating those negative thought patterns?

Building Resilience

When a child is feeling bullied teach them to have the power of control. Cut the strings they have and ask them are you happy with them being in control of you?

Teach them how to stand tall, shoulders back, eyebrows up and smile for the camera. It’s almost impossible to believe negative thoughts when you are doing this. Talk about hope and optimism. Learn how to study yourself. Practise and learn to listen.

We all need 12 positive interactions a day

Negatives get people’s attention that’s why media report the negatives.
Kids are seeing this all the time.
Focus on what we want, not want to avoid
Feedback must be positive
Never ask the question why as it brings up sewerage from the memory.

Thanks Mike. This day and age, as teachers, we need to seriously consider the effects we may be creating on children's self beliefs and esteem with the words we use in class. We also need strategies to support them to become more resilience to life and its challenges. As teachers we also need to do the same to look after ourselves and keep our environment safe and happy for all.

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