The Brain and Your Child
how to calm the chaos and nurture your child's developing mind
In today’s fast-paced world, parents are eager to create environments that nurture growth and joy in their children. Recent insights from a RGMS Counseling Department webinar offered practical, research-backed strategies derived from "The Whole Brain Child" (see the full slide deck at the end of this page). This influential book sheds light on brain development, empowering parents to cultivate calmer, happier children by understanding how their brains function and evolve.
Understanding the Child’s Brain Structure
A child’s brain is a complex organ, transforming significantly from infancy through adolescence. Notably, the “upstairs brain”—which handles decision-making and emotional regulation—continues to mature until around the mid-twenties. This means young children predominantly depend on their “downstairs brain,” the area responsible for feelings, instincts, and immediate reactions.
For example, a three-year-old may react with a tantrum when they are frustrated, showing a lack of perspective on their emotions. This behavior is normal and expected as their brain is still developing. Parents can use this understanding to view what might seem like misbehavior as opportunities for teaching and growth, helping children learn to navigate their emotions effectively.
The Right Brain vs. The Left Brain
In early childhood, the right brain—the center for emotions—tends to overpower the left brain, which manages logic and reasoning. This emotional prevalence often leads to typical challenges like outbursts or withdrawal during stressful moments.
For example, when a child throws a fit over a toy, they typically react from a place of emotion rather than logic. Recognizing this can help parents respond in ways that guide their children toward better emotional processing. The first step is to connect with your child; right brain to right brain. Perhaps hug them and let them know they are heard. Once they begin to calm, it becomes possible to engage the left brain by asking open-ended questions about their feelings. You are teaching your kids to articulate what they are experiencing. This strategy not only calms the situation but teaches children to integrate their emotional and rational responses in the future.
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
With techniques from "The Whole Brain Child," parents can turn everyday challenges into valuable lessons for brain development. For instance, instead of reacting with annoyance to a tantrum, parents can guide their child to express their feelings. Instead of dismissing their frustration, seeking responses to questions like "Can you tell me what made you upset?" can shift the focus from emotional chaos to constructive conversation.
This not only soothes immediate situations but also builds long-lasting emotional regulation skills. For example, research shows that children who can articulate their feelings early on tend to perform better in social situations, often achieving up to 20% higher scores in emotional intelligence assessments later in life. When parents model understanding and patience, they equip their children with essential tools to handle emotions and conflicts effectively.
Practical Strategies for Parents
The RGMS Counseling Department provides several actionable strategies to improve brain development in children:
Connect and Redirect: Take a moment to connect with your child before directing them to calm down or focus on a solution. For instance, if they are upset, sitting together and offering a hug can create a sense of security.
Name It to Tame It: Encourage children to label their emotions. Research suggests that children who can name their feelings are better equipped to manage them, shifting their focus from feeling overwhelmed to engaging in constructive conversations.
Practice Mindfulness: Introduce simple activities like deep breathing exercises. Studies indicate that practicing mindfulness can reduce anxiety levels by over 30% in children and improve their ability to remain focused during stressful situations.
Consistent implementation of these strategies helps create a nurturing environment for both emotional and cognitive development in young children.
Final Thoughts on Fostering Growth
Understanding brain development informs parents on how to nurture healthier, happier children. By applying insights from "The Whole Brain Child," everyday challenges can transform into growth opportunities, fostering a child's emotional intelligence alongside logical reasoning. When parents create environments that support these developmental stages, they unleash their child’s full potential, preparing future generations to be calmer and more resilient. Our sincere thanks to Ms. Roberson and Ms. DeSilva for partnering with us parents to help our children grow!
Comments