Page 3 - Infographics Units 1 to 5

What is the key information to remember from this unit?

When we think, say or do anything, electrical signals are sent from one brain cell to another

The brain has billions of cells called neurons. When we think, say or do something, messages are passed

across these brain cells as electrical signals, creating brain pathways.

We can strengthen brain pathways with practice

When the thing we are thinking, saying or doing is new, the signals are slower; this makes it harder and less natural.

The more often we do something, the stronger and faster these pathways become. This means the message gets

sent around our brain more quickly. What we are thinking, saying or doing gets easier and easier. In the end, it feels

natural and can become automated. Like riding a bike, with lots of practice, we don't have to even think about it.

Repetition and practice creates strong brain pathways - and strong brain habits

The speeding up of brain networks in our brain is how strong habits are formed. We can strengthen

good habits with practice, and bad ones.

How can I apply this information into how I support children and what I say and do?

Use the language of skills Provide skills practice Be patient and sca old

and rehearsal - remember,

When a child is struggling, use the language of ease and a chat is not enough Undoing strong unhelpful habits

di culty, not good or bad. Like learning the piano, talking takes time and lots of repeated

about it is not enough. To practice. New, helpful habits are not
E.g. It is still really hard for you to be flexible in your thinking create strong pathways, we created overnight. Young people

and stop the game when it is time to come in. Don't worry, need to practise the actual need help to rehearse and practise

you are not in trouble. It is important that we help you with missing skill - more than in real situations. They also need

this skill of flexible thinking because we all 70 times before it sca olds while they

need it to do well in life. We can work on It’s a skill! becomes easy build the skills - just
improving it in Coaching Skills Time Let’s practise! It’s easy like stabilisers on
for you and natural.
now! a bike.

UNIT 3 Brain Building