How can Neuroscience (knowledge) contribute to learning and education?

Aishah Abdul Rahman

Research Scientist

National Institute of Education, Singapore

24th July 2020

Key Discussion Points

1. Brain development

➢ What does it tell us about children’s cognitive abilities

2. Factors that affect brain development and functioning

➢ The importance of sleep and physical activity

The study of the nervous system

What is Neuroscience?

Brain Development In Early Childhood

Lebel & Deoni, 2018. Neuroimage.

Age (Years)

Vo

lum

e (

cm3)

Gilmore et al., 2018. Nature Neuroscience.

• Brain is developing most rapidly in the first two years of life

What Does This Mean?

• Early experiences are critical for healthy brain development • Face perception• Language discrimination

• Quality care is important • Maternal care in rats is associated with memory performance and

brain structure (Bredy et al., 2003)

• Institutionalized children from Romania (Zeanah et al., 2003)• Cognitive and social deficits and altered brain structure

• Enriching environments & Foster care helped to mitigate some of these effects

Pascalis et al., 2003. Science.

How does the Brain Develop?

• Brain develops in a back- to front manner (Gogtay & Thompson, 2010)

• Some functions develop before others

Gogtay & Thompson, 2010. Brain & Cognition.

How does the Brain Develop?

• Frontal regions are key for executive functioning → control thought & behaviour

• Child display deficits in controlled behaviour

What are the Implications?

Weintraub et al., 2011. Harvard University’s Centre on the Developing Child.

• Adult guidance• Scaffolding

• Practice• Play/Games

• Reducing Stress

How Can We Help Children Develop EF?

Factors that Affect Brain Development and Functioning

• The brain is active during sleep

• Growth and development (Kurth et al., 2013; Wilhelm et al., 2014)

• Learning & memory (Frank et al., 2001)

• Inconsistent bedtime in 3 year olds associated with poor cognitive outcomes in primary school (Kelly et al., 2012)

• Sleep duration is associated with brain volume in children and adolescents (Taki et al., 2012)

The Importance of Sleep for Brain Development / Functioning

Taken from TODAY Newspaper (5 February 2015)

The Importance of Sleep for Brain Development/ Functioning

Zhou et al., 2015. Sleep Medicine.

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

Regular bedtime & routines

Avoid screen time 2 hours before bedtime

Conducive environment (noise, temperature, light, stress)

The Importance of Physical Activity for Brain Functioning / Development

Creates new brain cells Improves functions & connections

within existing cells

Releases chemical that repairs brain cells,

enhances cell signaling & improves mood

Image from Dr. Charles Hillman Lab, University of IIlinois

Proportion (%) of children meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations by socio-demographic and maternal predictors.

Chen et al., 2019. Int Journal of Beh Nutr & Phys Activity.

Physical Activity in Singaporean Preschoolers

How Can We Help & How Much Physical Activity Do They Need?

Sitting upTummy timeRolling over CrawlingStanding

WalkingChasingJumpingRunningDancing

Organised sports – Cycling, SwimmingActive TransportSchool Physical Activity Lessons

Infants 1 – 2 year olds 3 – 5 year olds 1 – 2 year oldsAbove 5 years old

60 – 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity

Guidelines from World Health Organization, 2019

• The importance of early childhood for brain development

• Development of the various brain regions differ – Affects children’s behaviour & capabilities

• Brain functioning is affected by our experiences

• The role of sleep and physical activity

Summary

Thank You!

Panel Discussion

Book Recommendations by NLB

Session 5: How can Neuroscience (knowledge) contribute to learning and education?

Thirty million words: building a child’s brain: tune in, talk more, take turns

by Dana SuskindCall No: English 612.8233 SUS – [HEA]

Hot Skills: Developing Higher-Order Thinking in Young Learnersby Steffan Saifer

https://nlb.overdrive.com.media/3684382#

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