Have you noticed your child’s attention to schoolwork is sluggish? Do they get antsy if they have to sit still for long periods of time? Are you frustrated that your child can’t seem to remember things?
Motivation and memory rely upon the neurotransmitter dopamine for the many roles of learning. Dopamine promotes pleasure, decreased stress, curiosity, attention, and motivation. It also contributes to memory formation and retention.
We all learn in many ways. Neuroscience is revealing more and more on how the brain learns, but the bottom line is that the brain is always in action. Stimuli entering through our senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell create synapses in the brain. These stimuli go on their way to our long term memory, fueled by the neurotransmitter, dopamine.
SO, the more dopamine is released, the more prominent the behaviors of pleasure, creativity, motivation, curiosity, persistence and perseverance. How can we increase dopamine levels?
12 ways to increase dopamine for learning and motivation 2015 and beyond!
You could look through this list and choose which area you want to focus on week by week, or you can dedicate a whole month to each to continue stimulating your child’s brain in a new way throughout the year!
Want to download a month-by-month guide? CLICK HERE.
1. Movement: Incorporate some new form of movement into your daily life.
* Exercise
* Paint or draw
* Sports
* Stand and stretch
* Knead a ball in the hand
* Take a walk
* March in place
* Run an errand
2. Enjoying music: Experiment with different genres, ones that they may like that you haven’t yet gotten into.
* Classical
* Rock n roll
* Jazz
* Hip hop
3. Being Read To: Who doesn’t like for mommy or daddy or grandma or grandpa or siblings to read to us? Read for enjoyment and let your child pick the book.
4. Humor:
* Knock Knock jokes are classics. Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, we’re freezing.
* You could also find some funny movies or books to read together, and discuss which parts you thought were funniest afterwards.
5. Choices: Let children make some decisions.
* Should I pick up my toys?
* Is it time to go to bed?
* Which book do I want to read?
* Do I want to do my homework or play outside?
6. Interacting with Peers: Most of us need other people and thrive when we have healthy relationships.
* Encourage them to approach new friends: May I play with you?
* Helping each other when they see someone who could use a hand.
7. Acting Kindly:
* Feed the dog
* Say hello to your neighbor
* Volunteer to do chores
8. Gratitude:
* Send a thank you note
* Don’t whine when you don’t get what you want
* Prayer
* Give back to your community
9. Optimism:
* Put a smile in your voice
* Encourage others
* Set positive goals
10. Achieving Challenges:
* Celebrate an accomplishment
* High five
* Focus on what you can do and not on what you can’t do – be proud
11. Curiosity:
* Try something new, follow a passion or interest
* Try a new food
* Ask questions
* Build something or take something apart
12. Persistence:
* Practice, practice, practice
* Don’t be discouraged
* If at first you don’t succeed, get back up and try, try again
* Give it time
Wishing you the best in 2015. The primary resource for this article is Judy Willis, M.D., M.Ed., Learning and the Brain Workshop, December 4, 2014.
About our LOCAL expert: Kristin Cetone has lived in Scottsdale for 20 years with her husband. She currently shares her home with a very opinionated Pekingese named Teddy Bear. Kristin is the author of the children’s book Buckaroo Buckeye, A Little Nut with Big Dreams. In addition to raising her own two children, Kristin Cetone has had many years working with children as a Reading Specialist, particularly with struggling readers. She is excited to be able to share her insights and suggestions on the reading process to help parents help their children (birth-grade 3), strengthen the reading process and become successful readers.
