How Brain Science Supports Montessori Wisdom [Dr. Dee Joy Coulter MMS fall conference 2013] THE BIG PICTURE INNER DEVELOPMENT * ABSORBED MIND * INNER SPEECH OUTER DEVELOPMENT * SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT * FINDING ORDER LEARNING RHYTHMS *SELF PACING *INNER MOTIVATION Ages 2.5 to 6 What’s Up BRAIN BODY AGES 2-4 AGES 4-6 Speech centers connect Sensorimotor Integration time OUTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER same and not same imitation order = safety SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT can choose stimulation level discover it pays to wait !!!! circle time triggers bonding INNER DEVELOPMENT ABSORBED in Surroundings builds focus and concentration INNER SPEECH demo words!! leads to impulse control, reflection, writing LEARNING RHYTHMS INNER MOTIVATION learn to choose love of repetition SELF PACED no brakes – need to be redirected ok to have “down time” free choice snacks !! – no scarcity SNEAK PREVIEWS and RECIPES HIDDEN TEACHING: beginnings, middles and ends KEY RECIPE: inner speech + ability to wait = impulse control TEACHER SKILLS NEEDED Move in ways they can copy Sense energy fields Choose ‘perfect’ new work Use inner speech for demos Model activities inwardly Ages 6 to 9 What’s Up BRAIN AGES 6-8 BODY/BRAIN AGES 8-10 MAJOR BRAIN/SKULL GROWTH Discover Cause and Effect Harness impulse control LANGUAGE CENTERS GROW Tongue twisters, foreign languages Explaining things OUTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER Rules reign!! grammar, sports, classroom rules, manners SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT learning to read ages 6-8 (out loud and social) INNER DEVELOPMENT ABSORBED in Time Sequences Cause and Effect INNER SPEECH gets stronger ages 5-8 – controls motor impulses age 9 – becomes silent -- begin to feel separate LEARNING RHYTHMS INNER MOTIVATION choosing work choosing teacher – peers or teacher SELF PACED -- longer rhythms beginnings – learn to settle in middles – learn to stretch endurance ends – learn to come to completion (NOTE: addictive “learning” won’t satiate) SNEAK PREVIEWS and RECIPES Key Recipe: page 2 Silent Inner Speech + Sense of Separateness = Can take one’s own counsel TEACHER SKILLS NEEDED make work “in-spiring” --breathe life into it move in ways they can copy --awaken their mirror neurons learn your own style --beginnings, middles or ends* beginnings love novelty, great initiative, enthusiasm; lose interest quickly, may not finish things middles strong endurance, hard working, reliable; handle complexity, not very playful ends love competition, great at finishing things; strong sense of ceremony Ages 9 to 12 What’s Up BODY/BRAIN AGE 9-10 BRAIN AGES 11-12 OUTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER logic, persuasion new turf for reading SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT literacy changes brain !! major brain/skull growth in frontal lobes -- needs protection !! empathy re-awakens sense of self/other INNER DEVELOPMENT ABSORBED in Stories, Motives, Fairness INNER SPEECH ages 8-10 – silent reading !! ages 11-12 – better working memory (scaffolding improves) St. Augustine, seeing St. Jerome of Milan read (384 AD) “When he read, his eyes scanned the page and his heart sought out the meaning, but his voice was silent and his tongue was still.” LEARNING RHYTHMS INNER MOTIVATION clear interests and thoughts clear sense of self SELF PACED learning to practice learning to incubate and reflect SNEAK PREVIEWS and RECIPES Key recipes: Clear sense of self + able to think for self = best defense against bullies! Willing to practice + good working memory = good with scaffolded subjects TEACHER SKILLS NEEDED listen to their thoughts encourage rigor, practicing support caring for others delay adolescence Ages 12 to 15 What’s Up BODY That’s about it, FOLKS!! OUTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER multi-step group projects practice until it becomes a practice SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT tech virtual friends/enemies need more face time INNER DEVELOPMENT ABSORBED in SELF explore body based study skills* review and mastery time INNER SPEECH high risk of depression! use affirmations, drop negative self talk *Body Based Study Skills The role of posture, breath, water and sleep The impact of different foods (kinds, when to eat, how much, allergies) Exercise, study breaks, time of day Brain zones and how to tap them Focus, concentration Creativity Endurance How friends and family work best LEARNING RHYTHMS INNER MOTIVATION inspiration beats pressure mastery of skills SELF PACED work on beginnings, middles, ends build timelines, stretch working memory SNEAK PREVIEWS and RECIPES Two populations --brain spurt at 11-12 --adolescence at 11-12 Another brain turn at 15-16!! TEACHER SKILLS NEEDED keep inspiring them call on their higher nature protect from bullying, depression, and giving up on learning have incredible sense of humor learn to bless! Ages 15 to 18 What’s Up BRAIN Frontal lobes regain control Good judgment returns True scholarship possible OUTER DEVELOPMENT ORDER Explore how to make a difference Think globally, act locally SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT Care for school’s social climate Care for each other Honor milestones with ceremonies INNER DEVELOPMENT ABSORBED in their future Sustain desire to know Explore metacognitive skills* page 3 INNER SPEECH Enhances writing skills** Launches THETA-GAMMA thinking** * When Mind studies Mind How do you learn best? Learning style? (beginnings, middles, ends) Learning Channels? (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) Brain cycles – daily highs and lows Which zones can you access? Focus and concentration Scaffolded learning –math, science, languages Incubation and new ideas LEARNING RHYTHMS INNER MOTIVATION Study biographies Create personal vision, goals SELF PACED Need strong organizational skills Protect from outer pressures TEACHER SKILLS NEEDED Become a cognitive coach Champion the best in each student Resist using test scores as motivators Keep your own inner scholar alive GIFTS TO THE TEACHER Anti-depression practice Be here now (outer world, present moment) Heart opening-- mirror neurons build empathy Nurtures healthy aging Allows you to be of real service to the world! page 4 Yes, but….. If only it were that simple!!! What about all the stressors? On our children On our parents On ourselves??? What STRESS looks like: Eyes under stress: Squint Look to sides, can’t focus easily Ears under stress: Eyebrows up Twig snap mode Can’t track words well What STRESS looks like: Muscles under stress: Restless, can’t sit still Startle easily, can’t get absorbed Looks like ADD/ADHD Health under stress: Digestion problems Sleep and breathing problems –asthma/allergies Weak immune system Key STRESS issues: Chronic Scarcity Doesn’t pay to wait Poor impulse control Can’t take turns Competition doesn’t motivate Scarce rewards Too much pressure Key STRESS issues: Uncertainty Can’t predict events Wants more control Novelty seems too risky Avoids new learning Loses ability to think creatively How Stressed Kids May Look Short attention span Don’t get absorbed Won’t wait for turns May startle and lash out May withdraw and seem to ‘freeze’ Low curiosity; highly repetitive The really good news! Montessori offers healthy patterns It supports healthy roots and remedies Roots for 0-3 Remedies for 3-6 These core gifts serve for a lifetime We can teach parents: To understand these qualities To value them for their children