Enriched+Environments+and+the+Brain

=Enriched Environments and the Brain= Eric Jensen

Whenever I read any articles I read them through the eyes and brain of a learning difficulties teacher. I am always trying to find reasons why some children just don’t seem to progress. Jensen has answered some of my questions and confirmed some of my own ideas. I know that the wiring in some of the student’s brains I teach is wired incorrectly and that wrong connections have been made and through continual repetition of errors these connections are strengthened. Some of these connections were established within a negative environment. Jensen says instead of working on the positives in the classroom environment, first eliminate the negatives. Once threats to learning have gone then you can work on the positives.

We all knew how important is to give feedback, but the brain actually is wired for feedback both internally and externally. Jensen states that the two most important ingredients in enriching the brain is by feedback, and that learning must be challenging. Feedback that is specific and immediate can be by peer, computer (immediate) or teacher.

What impressed me was the importance of the arts and in particular music in learning. According to Jensen the arts help lay the foundation for later academic success as well as having positive, measurable and lasting academic and social benefits. The arts also facilitate language development, enhance creativity, boost reading readiness, helps social development and assist with intellectual achievement. By practising and learning the arts the brain rewires itself and makes stronger connections. The arts also use a range of thinking skills which are vital to learning in all other areas.

So as a teacher of learning difficulties my first job is to establish an enriched learning environment where students feel non threatened and where learning takes place within a positive environment, an enriched environment where students get immediate and specific feedback,and an enriched environment where music will be used as a tool to teach new learning. Linda Lowden

__ Year 1 / 2 Team notes for ICT reading: __ Challenge and feedback are the two critical ingredients for the enriched environment. The Arts (music etc.) and puzzles / problem solving are important, as is being active and motor stimulation. Variety and changing instruction formats is important. Children should be challenged so that they don’t get bored. Music / singing can be a way for children to learn new things; for example singing alphabet songs. Cursive writing is easier for children to learn than print. “Two rules: eliminate the threat and enrich like crazy.”