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.Participants will be able to Better Define the Brain Development Benefits of Playgrounds in Child Development 2.Participants will be able to Better Analyzing playground Structures based on Brain Development. 3.Learn How to Design Play Environments Based on the Knowledge as to How Playgrounds Effect Brain Development. Activities to be Conducted: Interactive learning occurs as participants discuss newest research on the brain value of playgrounds.
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The Amazing Brain
The Amazing Brain: Cerebral Arteries
The Amazing Brain: Neurons
The Amazing Brain: Synapse
The Vestibular System
1. Facilitates children’s development of the following skills:
• Balance• Learned motor skills: walking,
hopping, & running.
2. Children love to spin or ride, activating the vestibular system.
3. The rhythmic movement of play: • supports language development
(eye-tracking necessary for reading)
What Is BDNF?
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF):
• a protein which has activity on certain neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
• it supports the survival of existing neurons, and encourages the growth of new synapses connections.
BDNF BenefitsVigorous physical activity does the following:
• activates genes in the brain • generates the production of BDNF
BDNF does the following:• stimulates neurogenesis (nerve cell development) • production is stunted by stress
Environments changes the brain!
A busier, more complex outside environment will physically alter the physical structure inside the brain!
Novelty & Complexity in the Brain:Playing a Computer Game
Novelty & Complexity in the Brain:Playing a Computer Game
Experienced Player
Inexperienced Player
Novelty & Complexity on the Playground
Sand
Loose Parts
Water
Physical Activity & the BrainThe cyclical process between the brain and physical activity has a role in neurogenesis. Leshner (2002)
• Muscles in the body rely on the brain for cues to begin movement or react to a stimulus.
•This movement, in-turn, regulates blood flow
•Blood-flow feeds the brain both oxygen and nutrients.
0-
1000-
2000-
3000-
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With Exercise
Without Exercise
Neu
rog
enesis in
fou
r weeks
Exercise Doubles Neurogenesis
Source: From H. Van Praag, G. Kempermann, and F. Gage, “Running Increases Cell Poliferation and Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Dentate Gyrus,” Nature Neoroscience 1999, 2, 266-270
Mirror Neurons
“Mirror Neurons make it possible for people to learn complex motor skills simply by seeing others perform them”.
(Hamilton, 2008)
Play = Learning
Questions & Discussions
Resource Supplement• Magic Trees of the Mind (1998)Diamond, M.• Enriching the Brain (2005) Jensen, E.• The Amazing Brain (2007) Wolfe, P.• A Nation of Wimps; The High Cost of Invasive
Parenting (2008) Marano, H.• The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog (2006)
Perry, B.• The Developmental Benefits of Playgrounds
(2004) Frost, J. & Szalavitz, M.• Einstein Never Used Flash Cards (2003) Hirsh-
Pasek, K. & Golinkoff, R.