it takes attention: the brain, behavior and self perception
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It Takes Attention: The Brain, Behavior and Self Perception. Insights for Caring About Children. Deborah McNelis , MS.ed. Introduction. Everyone is valuable and unique!. Each of You! . What if.... We recognized, supported and valued every individual.....EVERY DAY? . - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
It Takes Attention: The Brain, Behavior and
Self PerceptionInsights for
Caring About Children
Deborah McNelis, MS.ed
Introduction
Everyone is valuable and unique!
Each of You!
My Heart Asks, “What If…?”
What if.... We recognized, supported
and valued every individual.....EVERY
DAY?
There ALWAYS is HOPE!
Something VERY EXCITING beyond hope!
Knowledge, Understanding, Caring and…
… Positive Experiences & Supporting Healthy Brains for Everyone!
What is she going to present?
I am wondering…..
WHY?
We know more about how to support and develop healthy brains better than ever before.
A sense of belonging and a feeling of community is a basic need.
People are asking, “What can we do?”
Making a difference for others is natural and beneficial for everyone.
Prevention is best and is also extremely cost beneficial.
Because EVERY child deserves all of us caring about what they need most!
It isn’t as Complicated as it may seem!
So, how does a brain
develop?
Genetics
Experience Dependent
90% of the brain develops in the pre-school years
100 billion brain cells at birth
“Oh really…? Most of my brain development happens
after birth?”
Synaptic Connections
Parts of the BrainBrainstem - blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, survival reactionsMidbrain - motor development, sleep patternsLimbic - attachment, emotional area, memoryCortex – thinking part of the brain
Brainstem
Midbrain
Limbic System
Cortex
The Prefrontal Cortex
Executive Function
•Prioritize Thoughts•Ability to Imagine•Think in the Abstract
•Anticipate Consequences
•Plan •Control Impulses•Regulation of Behaviors
Undeveloped Brains
Children are sometimes criticized for bad behavior that they simply can't help
Sometimes their emotional brainsare too immature for them tobehave better
Noncompliance?Skill deficit?Hijacked PFC?
Pruning
Organized
Myelin Sheath
Neurons
Pathways
“Wow repeating experiences really makes a difference to my brain!”
Repetition creates strong pathways
nurturing environment encourages emotional stability impacts cognitive development respond quickly & warmly; maintain consistent
caregiver
Critical Window of Opportunity
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Birth to 18 months
Secure Attachment
Research demonstrates that secure attachment can have an impact on the ability:
to form healthy relationships with othersto delay gratificationto problem solveto have empathy for othersto put up with the frustration of failure and
have more patience to calm down from excitement
It may also lead to:
having a longer attention spanbeing able to better manage physical reactions to
emotions having an increased capacity for empathyfeeling less anxietyhaving greater skills in communicating emotions in
healthy ways exhibiting fewer behavioral problemshaving more confidence and a positive self-perceptionbeing less fearfulhaving more willingness to explore and learn through
challenges
Stress Hormones
Repeated experiences create expectations &
mental models that are used throughout life.
What you may see….
Insecure Attachment? What you may see
Odd Eating Behaviors stealing, hoarding, swallowing Controlling, Manipulative, Dishonest lack trust; angry; survival linked to control Feel Empowered by Being Oppositional discipline perceived as threats Abusive (emotional, physical, sexual) want to cause pain; reenact victim-victimizer pattern;
distance others; release rage; lack empathy & remorse
What you may see (continued)
Negative Belief System, Self-Concept, Perceptions
Limited Ability to Regulate Emotion & Impulses aggressive; rageful; fearful of own anger; impulsive
Unable to be Reciprocal in Relationships avoids needing others, requesting help, or positive engagement; care & nurturance do not create trust but are opportunities to manipulate & control
Unable to Accept Affection, Praise, & Love child believes his or her own manipulation causes caring reaction not nurturing quality of adult or intrinsic worth
Perry Model
The sections of a brain develop in healthy ratios
when the child has a variety of optimal emotional,
behavioral cognitive, and social experiences at key times.
Brainstem
Midbrain
Limbic
Cortical
Trauma Neglect
Brainstem
Midbrain
Limbic
Cortical
Midbrain
Brainstem
Cortical
Limbic
Trauma + Neglect
Cortical
Midbrain
Brainstem
Limbic
Thoughts
State of
Being
Thinking of the brain
Neurotransmitters
Feelings of the body
Hormones
What Our Brains Do!
How many males did you see?
14?... 17?...19?
So………How many polar bears did you see?
What do you pay attention to?
Irresponsible
Didn’t feed the dog
Forgot homework at school
Left dishes on the table
Responsible
Returned library book
Put dirty clothes in the laundry
Brushed her teeth
Transferring Beliefs
Attention to Beliefs
Self perception is being developed and reinforced
Attention to Positives…. While Avoiding Praise
Keep Track
Basic Brain Needs
AttentionStructurePredictabilityStimulationOpportunities to make choices
Additional Needs
Who?
“Everyone should know
about how my brain
develops!”
It Takes A Village!
ParentCare
providers
Medical Community
Extended Family
Media
Education System
Business Community
Political Communit
y
Religious Community
Social Services
Funders
Law Enforcement
Child
It is ALL About Understanding and Coming Together for Children!
Basics to Brilliance!
Deborah [email protected]
www.braininsightsonline.com
http://braininsights.blogspot.com/
414-975-7045