How to Apply Neuroscience Principles To Your Child’s Learning

The Keys to Brain-Based Learning

For Teaching Your Child or Picking a Learning Program

Educators are often asked by parents to weigh in on a brain-based learning software program or online service that they are considering for their child, outside of the classroom.

It’s difficult to know how effective a program will be for a particular child, but there are some hallmarks of good brain-based learning programs, such as neuroscience principles that are known to help the brain rewire or activate new learning.

So what are some things to keep in mind when considering a brain-based program or lesson? We know that basing instruction on how the brain learns or the science of learning and the fact that our brains are constantly reorganizing themselves has tremendous potential. However, not all brain-based programs or lessons are created equal. Some essential components are important not only in promoting but achieving successful outcomes.

Essential Program or Lesson Components

Repetition

For starters, repetition is key. Studies have shown that the repetition or frequency of information, in short intervals, aids in retention. This is true, not just for that upcoming test, but overall. A common approach in many online cognitive programs is to weave repetition into a game format. This is how Fast ForWord, the software provided by Gemm Learning, works.

Another option is to revisit a subject over and over again, providing new opportunities for your child to make connections between the topic and their everyday experiences or previous knowledge.

Intensity

Intensity is also important to brain-based learning. Experiences need to be meaningful to motivate and involve each learner.

In software, this is about engagement and adaptivity that keeps a student working at the edge of their skills, pushing forward with intensity.

If you are helping your child at home, you can add intensity by adding movement to an activity, relating it to a popular book, movie, or show your children may enjoy, or providing real-life examples of people and professions impacted by the topic studied.

Nonfiction magazines are typically popular in the classroom because they cover topics that interest young learners, engaging and informing them. Information in short articles or captioned pictures, rather than lengthy text, is often more appealing. The longer an article is, the greater the risk students will lose interest before reaching the most engaging details.

Responsiveness and Adaptability

As with all learning, the ability to adapt is key to brain-based learning and instruction. This requires sophisticated algorithms in software, and the software has sufficient different iterations, and tiny enough steps, to make progress fluid.

At home, you constantly modify your interactions with your child based on his responses. This is partly about your level of knowledge, and partly about your child’s learning style.

This is important when considering cognitive computer programs or activities as well. Each should steadily adjust based on student responses or input to ensure mastery of designated objectives. A “one-size-fits-all” approach does not work. There are far too many learning styles, special needs, and experiences that impact how every lesson or intervention is received.

Motivation

Timely motivation is another requirement for an effective brain-based program or solution. Teachers learn very quickly that immediate feedback and praise can make all the difference for learners of all ages. Suggestions for improvement and prompting questions can also be motivating when presented positively.

At home, praising your child on his or her work or suggesting edits on an assignment that is a week old does not have the same impact as a prompt response. Whether it’s earning bonus points or beating a high score on a computer game, reading a thoughtful note, or hearing cheerful applause from classmates after participating in an activity, a little encouragement can go a long way toward inspiring and engaging students.

Nothing Works Overnight

It is important to remember that, while these components help support student success, results do not appear overnight. It can take weeks or longer before the effects of these strategies become apparent. Often, they will vary among learners.

However establishing a positive learning environment where frequency, intensity, adaptivity, and timely motivation are key parts of most activities can help achieve lasting outcomes. The joy of witnessing our children succeed over time is immeasurable.

Similarly, choosing brain-based learning software with these features can lead to success.

Note, that Gemm Learning provides Fast ForWord software at home.  It is based on these neuroscience principles, ticking all of the boxes above. Not surprisingly, it has an amazing track record of success – results here, and client stories here.