Neuroscience & Creativity w/ Preschoolers

  Have you ever watched young children play with toys? As adults we provide them with blocks to build with, toy cars to race upon the floor, and crayons to draw with, but I observed my class of 24 three and four year olds and found that they often veer wildly from the original intent of the materials they are provided. Observing my class one day, I witnessed children having the greatest time stacking crayons in interlocking patterns, similar to Lincoln Logs, instead of filling in the coloring pages they were given. Foam blocks pieces such as these  became telephones in which they had animated conversations with who, only one could imagine (one child stated they were talking to a dragon 😊). Connecting shapes are now lollipops and the pretend kitchen area became a lollipop shop. Give a child a box, some paper towel tubes and watch their imagination take off! Children are naturally imaginative and have no concept of functional fixedness. The article Why Do We Have Trouble Thinki...

In today's fast-paced world, teaching children the art of mindfulness has become increasingly important. The University of California, Berkley defines mindfulness as the “moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens”. This means taking the time to focus one's attention on the present moment, without judgment. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of mindfulness for preschool aged children and provide practical tips on how to introduce and cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives. Mindfulness can have a profound impact on a child's overall well-being. Mindfulness improves emotional regulation (Rowland et al., 2023), enhances concentration and focus (Dibra, 2014), reduces stress and anxiety (Tang et al., 2015), and increases self-awareness ( Mindworks ).  The Mayo Clinic gives examples of how to practice mindfulness such as taking time to stop and pay attention. Remem...

The human brain is an amazing organ. It is capable of great feats of learning, memory. emotion, and body regulation all while weighing in at about three pounds for the average adult. According to the article Your Amazing Brain ,  your brain is faster than any computer, generates enough electricity to power a lightbulb, and send information through your neurons at speeds of 150 miles per hour Preschoolers are curious about everything, so it is a great time to introduce them to this wonderful marvel they carry around right inside their heads. Teaching kids about the brain is important for many reasons. When preschoolers learn about the brain and its functions they learn about themselves. It will help them better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it gets them thinking about thinking (can you say metacognition?). By understanding how the brain works, children can better navigate their own experiences and interactions with others. When teaching young children about the...