September and October marks the start of a new school year for many young people. Recently the staff in our office spent time answering the following question. What was your favorite part of back to school shopping, if you did it? Our answers varied from new sneakers to metal lunch boxes and school supplies. It would be interesting to ask our youth the same question, and see what responses they come up with.
The brain is one of the most fascinating parts of our body, and research often indicates that the brain is very much like a muscle, which means the brain gets stronger when we use it. Youth begin the second period of rapid change in the brain around age ten, and the brain continues to grow throughout adolescence and into the early young adult years. You can help young people grow their brain, much like you would help an athlete through challenge and exercise. A few of the most helpful tips are listed below.
Tip #1: Promote Effort and Learning
Tip # 2: Ways to Nourish the Brain
Food
The brain is the biggest burner of calories in your body. It burns about one-third of the food your body uses. Eggs, nuts, and fish are some of the best brain foods.
Sleep
The teen brain need 8-9 hours each day to run well. When youth do not get enough sleep they have trouble remembering and learning things. In fact, studies have shown that test scores are one-third lower for tired youth in comparison to rested ones.
Exercise
The brain works better when the body gets regular exercise. With exercise, the brain
actually grows new cells and learns more easily.
Challenge
When the brain is challenged, it builds thicker connections between brain cells it just used. The thicker the connections, the faster and easier it is to do the task at hand.
Tip #3: Focus
It can be hard for the brain when different kinds of information enter at the same time. The brain does a better job of saving and retrieving information later if young people are able to focus when information is taken in. You can help support youth by assisting them with avoiding texting, Facebook, or television viewing while studying or doing homework.
Youth and Family Development
Mel Schroeder, Resource Educator, [email protected]
A New School Year Begins