They say teach your kids how to think, not what to think.
Usually this is interpreted to be bold enough to think for yourselves. Or to encourage creative thinking. Be a creator, and inventor, a problem solver.
I've been thinking about this quote juxtaposed to brain science. How our brains work, how connections are made, and how the brain develops, in the womb, in early childhood, through adolescence, adulthood, and in to our golden years.
If we want to know how to think, we ought to be keenly interested in how the brain works, and the techniques that enhance brain health and performance. Diet plays a role.
A few books to consider, some I've read, some are on my reading list, all are in our personal library:
Natural Brilliance- by Paul R. Scheele
How Smart Is Your Baby?- By Glenn and Janet Doman
Right Brain Education- by Pamela Sue Hickein
The Silva Mind Control Method- by Jose Silva
Give Your Child Genius IQ- by Sidney Ledson
Awaken the Genius in Your Child- by Shakuntala Devi
Disconnected Kids- by Dr. Robert Melillo
Mind Maps 3.0- by Kam Knight
(These authors have written multiple books on this subject, I picked one.)
Understanding how we learn, how to overcome road blocks, and finding learning strategies, mental exercises, and optimizing our health for learning- these are all things we should be striving for.
Work smarter, not harder. Or, perhaps, work smarter, then harder. Perfect practice makes perfect.
Personally, I fall short of what I feel like I could and should be accomplishing in this realm. Like we're living below our privileges, but I'd love to figure this stuff out. I did it with early learning, we opened that door and saw amazing things. We have been a part of it, and tasted the fruit. But academically, at least, I do a much better job with the preschoolers and elementary ages than I do middle school and high school. There's something to this. It's not just something that is available for the 0-3 year olds. I just haven't figured it out yet. I want my older kids to have the same kind of learning magic we experienced when they were tiny. I'd love to experience it myself too.
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