How the Brain Grows

Learning Goal

Students will understand the basics of how the brain changes and grows (i.e., neuroplasticity).

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lessons, students will be able to:

• Explain how the brain is capable of constantly learning new skills throughout their entire lifetime
• Students will be able to describe what neuroplasticity means
• Experience the process of creating a new neural pathway by learning a new skill

Learning Summary

Our brains create new neural pathways throughout our entire lives—this is called neuroplasticity. These pathways allow us to access thoughts, skills, feelings, and memories. We have billions of neurons that connect to one another to make these learning pathways. The more a skill is practiced, the stronger that connection. When you stop practicing, your brain decides it is no longer important and it lets those connections weaken.

In this lesson, students start with a mindful moment in which they use the acronym STOP to focus: Standing/Sitting tall and breathing; Tuning into their body; Observing their surroundings; and thinking of Possibilities. You then lead students in a discussion on the basics of neuroplasticity. Then, students learn a new skill (choose from a list of options or, if you have your own skill you want to teach, this is a great opportunity to bring in your interests). Following the activity, students reflect on how it feels to learn something new. Over the course of the week, students reflect in their journal on how their new skill development progresses.