Brain Chemistry Affects Your Child’s Ability to Learn Math (and Other Subjects)
Our brains send messages to other parts of our bodies using neurotransmitters. Research shows that neurotransmitters affect we learn and remember information. Cognitive scientists (psychologists who study how people learn) and neuroscientists (biologists who study how the brains and neurons work) found that neurotransmitter levels change from moment to moment, depending on our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
The Role of Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Cortisol while Doing Math Homework
Dr. Martha Burns, a neuroscientist whose research helps teachers teach effectively, calls dopamine the “save” button. Serotonin helps keep emotions calm which, increases attention spans and reduces behavior problems. Norepinephrine increases awareness and our ability to direct our attention. Too much cortisol negatively impacts a person’s ability to concentrate and learn--think “fight or flight syndrome.” To maximize learning, students should fill their brain with dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine and avoid too much cortisol. This can all be done without taking a single supplement.
Parents Influence Neurotransmitters
The right emotional environment makes which neurotransmitters a child experiences while doing homework. Parents can increase their students’ levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine and decrease cortisol through several strategies. Here are five great strategies to keep the best neurotransmitters flowing.
Mathnasium of Cedar Hill Increases Neurotransmitters
Students at Mathnasium of Cedar Hill benefit from a calm, focused and emotionally safe learning environment. If a child doesn’t remember how to do a particular math skill, we have all the curriculum resources and qualified math instructors to help. We also encourage a growth mindset. Stop by today to meet our wonderful instructors.
Resources: //inservice.ascd.org/chemical-reactions-in-the-classroom/
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