The Whole-Brain Child Synopsis

When we look at life from a perspective we believe that parenting is both a challenge and a privilege as it requires a very deep understanding of how a child’s brain works. 

It is very important for parents to understand that a child’s brain grows with time and there is a lot of development happening at the early stage of their life. 

A book named the whole brain child written by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Dr. Tina payne Bryson provides the parent with a practical and neuroscience backed strategy that can help them in nurturing a child’s developing mind. 

It is a book that provides immense support to parents, caregivers and educators in understanding the importance of integrating a child’s left and right brain to boost emotional and logical thinking where they also learn to determine the impact of any past experience to raise a well rounded and resilient individual.

What is The Whole-Brain Child?

The whole brain child is a guide that helps parents and understanding the internal working and functionality of a child’s brain where they also teach parents how to use a simple everyday life strategy to promote optimal development of a child. 

It is very important for parents to understand that by blending neuroscience with relatable parenting advice it is very easy to track the actionable techniques which can help children in putting forward all their emotions and make the best out of their life experiences which will help them in connecting their feelings to the situation.

Authors: Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

Author Daniel J. Siegel was a clinical professor of psychiatry while Dr. Tina Payne Bryson was a renowned psychotherapist and thus, together they have co-authored a very insightful book. 

A book that is believed to  bridge the major gap between neuroscience and everyday parenting which helps parents and understanding the overall functionality of a child’s brain and familiarises them to the concept of intellectual and emotional growth taking place at the early stage of a child.

Importance of Whole-Brain Strategies

Whole brain strategies is a book that emphasizes mostly on integration of different brain functions which support the overall emotional regulation of a child which helps them in developing all the cognitive skills and building healthy relationships in their life. 

By teaching children how to connect their emotions and logical thinking.

With the right strategies parents can create a balance between a child’s experience and emotions ensuring that the child understands and knows how the emotion makes sense for certain actions.

The 12 Revolutionary Strategies

1. Connect and Redirect

To connect is to understand a child’s emotions and to redirect is to provide them with all the important attention and reaction that they are looking forward to. 

Consider an example where a  child is upset. It is very important for parents to connect emotionally with their children first, then when they are sure of the situation and have understood what a child needs they should redirect their attention to problem-solving or logic. 

In their presence children feel wanted and this attention is meant to create an approach that helps calm the emotional part i.e the right brain and engages the logical part of the brain which is the left brain.

At first it seems very confusing but when you try looking at it from a neuroscience point of view it does make sense and follows up with a lot of research done to back the concept up for the book. 

2. Name It to Tame It

When a child is dealing with any emotion it is very important for parents to address the emotion rather than just naming it or labelling the emotion for them. 

It is encouraged for parents to let their child label their emotions on their own which will help them in processing and understanding their feelings, reactions and actions based on the same label that they have provided for themselves. 

When a child names their emotion it activates their logical brain which reduces the intensity of overwhelming their feelings and forces them to think of it in a more logical way rather than having any emotional take on the situation.

3. Engage, Don’t Enrage

What engages a child is very similar to a situation where it is to react with understanding. 

And in moments of conflict and the situation where parents are the child is not able to decide between the emotion it is suggested for children to use empathy and understanding rather than reacting to a situation in anger or rage. 

Engaging your child with respect and helping them learn from the surroundings will teach them the concepts related to cooperation and build trust in them.

4. Use It or Lose It

It is very important to understand the concept of using it or losing it. 

To stimulate different areas of the brain it is encouraged for children to practice their skills on their own where they can participate in small everyday tasks to work on skills like problem solving creativity and decision making which will help them in keeping their brains active for the time being and will allow them to focus on cognitive development.

5. Move It or Lose It

The other strategy that comes is to move it or lose it where it is believed that physical activity regulates the emotions for children and improves their mood. 

It is very important for parents to understand the importance of co-curricular activities where they should encourage activities in a child’s life which will shift their mental state and will provide them an easy escape during a stressful and monotonous environment.

6. Let the Clouds of Emotions Roll By

The emotions are temporary and it is parents responsibility to teach their children to understand that these temporary emotions should not stay with them for a longer period of time. 

It is very much possible to take care of this by helping them in visualising their feelings as a passing cloud so that it creates a perspective in their mind to reduce the overwhelming feeling and reduce the emotional burden on them.

7. Help Your Child Make Sense of Memories

What makes childhood so beautiful? 

The memories!

So it is very important to guide your children to process and understand that all the past experiences are there to create a coherent narrative for them which will be integrated into a part of memory, sometimes sweet, sometimes better and it is very important to learn from the memories and cherish them.

8. Remember to Remember

Encourage children to reflect on their daily experiences to build self-awareness and memory skills. This practice strengthens their sense of identity.

9. Reframe No to Yes

What is the difference between “yes” and “no” 

And how to teach this to a small child. 

It’s complicated, isn’t it?

So, Instead of focusing on what a child can’t do, redirect their attention to what they can do. 

Change their way of thinking and looking at things, teach them optimism. 

With this positive approach parents can help children in fostering creativity and developing a child’s problem-solving and analytical skills.

10. Practice Mindsight

It is best for kids at a young age to practice things that help them grow. 

So, parents can take note of things that their kids are struggling with and can help children understand their own thoughts and emotions. 

Along with it they can also teach them to understand and respect others feelings and it can help them in developing empathy and will allow them to grow as they will get an opportunity to work on their interpersonal and communication skills. 

11. Increase Family Fun

Parents should focus on making time for their kids, regardless of their busy schedules. 

Kids need attention and need love especially from their parents. 

Parents should look for opportunities that count as regular family bonding activities, like games or shared meals. 

These small moments will strengthen relationships and create positive emotional memories between the child and their parents.

12. Connect Through Conflict

Whenever in conflict, look for ways to reconnect and understand each other. 

Parents always use conflicts as opportunities to teach problem-solving and emotional resilience to small young children and shape their opinion by setting examples for them.

Parents can take advantage of the situation and can teach them how to navigate disagreements constructively.

Conclusion

The whole brain child is a transmitted guide for parents who are looking forward to raising their child in an environment that makes them emotionally intelligent and resilient. 

By understanding the science behind a child’s behaviour and reactions to their actions parents can nurture a life for their children which is balanced and help them in cognitive development ultimately resulting in a more healthy and sound mental health. 

The book is believed to be a powerful tool for parents to build connection with their children and regulate emotional stability in them which will also contribute to the intellectual growth of a student making them a well rounded individual. 

There are 12 strategies that are neurologically backed up with research which can transform a child in life by integrating them into everyday parenting. 

So parents go ahead and look for more opportunities to help your children grow.

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