Learning for Kids: Left Brain VS Right Brain

Black and white, hot and cold, empty and full; these are all opposite for a reason and being left-brained and right-brained are pretty polar on the scale of opposition. It is important especially with kids to know the best way your child learns.

The theory of left-brain/right-brain dominance states that each side of the brain supports different types of thinking. Customarily "left-brained" is analytical and logical while "right-brained" is thoughtful and intuitive. Originally discovered by Roger Sperry while studying the effects of epilepsy in the 1980's; he discovered that if you cut the corpus collosum (what connects the two hemispheres) patients were experiencing communication difficulties between the two hemispheres. Sperry discovered that certain actions are controlled by different sides of the brain, like language by the left-side.

The left side of the brain is better at tasks that utilize logic, language and analytical thinking.

· Language

· Logic

· Critical thinking

· Numbers

· Reasoning

The right side of the brain is better at tasks that utilize creativity, expression, and intuition.

· Recognizing faces

· Expressing emotions

· Music

· Reading emotions

· Color

· Images

· Intuition

· Creativity

Learning/Teaching Left Brain:

Students that are mostly left brained like to work by themselves, in silence without a lot of distractions, and prefer teachings like lectures and discussion. Since left brained learners prefer structure planning and outlines of lessons are much appreciated. Most of these students are audible students meaning the traditional lecture and note taking ways of teaching work very well for them. Research papers, crossword puzzles, and guest lecturers should be utilized for left brain learners.

Learning/Teaching Right Brain:

Students that are mostly right rained like to work in groups, with communication and music, and prefer design rather than term papers. Since right brained learners do not prefer structure creating fun and active ways of learning is much appreciated. Most of these students are visual students meaning they need multisensory ways of learning. Games, visual flash cards, and interactive learning should be utilized for right brain learners.

So whether you work better with order or chaos there is a way to best utilize learning resources to maximum your potential capacity. As a teacher it is a challenge to make sure that both left brain and right brain learners are giving the opportunity to succeed, a mixture of analytical and interactive work is perfectly suited for most classroom environments. As a parent finding out which side of the brain your child uses is most is important, to better help you teach your child the foundations of learning.

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