In this episode of The Optimalist podcast, host Sara Candela speaks with Dr. Rebecca Jackson, an expert in brain health and optimization, about the importance of brain health and the challenges faced by parents and educators. They discuss the need for preventative measures and early interventions to address children's challenges and the concept of "free range thinking time" for unstructured moments of processing emotions and experiences. They also discuss the interconnectedness of mental health, mindfulness, and intentional use of time, particularly in a world dominated by devices and distractions.
Dr. Jackson shares strategies for developing self-awareness in children and empowering them to make choices that support their own well-being. How do you improve focus and engagement in the classroom? What has been the impact of the pandemic on sensory experiences and brain development? Dr. Jackson's book, Back on Track, aims to provide parents with a better understanding of brain development and strategies for support.
Key reflection: Let's reflect on the importance of realizing when you are dysregulated and how young people have difficulty doing it themselves. Are there ways that you notice when kids are dysregulated in your classroom or in your own home? What are the signs, and how do you get them to practice self-awareness so they are consistently getting better?
Chapters
(0:02:21) Importance of Preventative Health and Wellness
(0:04:12) The Concept of Free Range Thinking Time
(0:10:56) The Importance of Being Mindful and Intentional
(0:15:03) Giving Kids Space and Choice to Learn from Experience
(0:18:57) Nurturing self-awareness in children through physical observations
(0:23:32) Addressing the impact of the pandemic on children's well-being
(0:26:15) Pandemic's Impact on Sensory Stimulation and Brain Development
(0:29:31) Importance of Sensory Experiences and Mindfulness in Daily Life
(0:33:35) The Impact of Technology on Attention and Brain Fatigue
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Links Mentioned:
Dr. Jackson on the web: Brain Balance
Dr. Jackson’s book: Back on Track: A Practical Guide to Help Kids of All Ages Thrive
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The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Swivl. At Swivl, we understand that the biggest challenge in education is the rate of change. Policy revisions, technological advancements (accelerated by AI), evolving job markets, and ongoing research constantly identifying new best practices are only some of the factors affecting the rate of change in education. To learn how Swivl can help you be more reflective, engaged, and adaptable - including Mirror, our newest tool for complete transformation - visit swivl.com. You can also follow us on Twitter.
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Credits:
Music: “Goodnight, Shapeshifter” by MusicForNothing, used under Creative Commons BY-ND 3.0.
Audio Editing & Production: Tim Belmont (@tbelmontedu)
Podcast Ep 33: Optimizing Brain Health to Get Students (and us!) Back on Track w/ Dr. Rebecca Jackson