Enter the level of the Limbic System, the Mammalian Brain. This mid-brain area identifies, categorizes, and organizes our emotions, so that we can center, stabilize, and steer ourselves thoughtfully and consciously. It is at this level that we emotionally connect with others. When we learn to play, coordinate and connect with our hearts, we have access to the third level, the Neocortex: the thinking, planning, idea-generating, rational brain. Ease, confidence, and joy profoundly affect our access to the pre-frontal brain, called the neocortex, where the ability to self-reflect and control our impulses originates. In order to use the higher levels of the brain, we must first address and meet basic survival needs. When stress affects us negatively, and we are unable to make a positive choice and change our reactions, we lose the capability to think clearly, and so we revert back to the Reptilian Brain, where instinct rules the day. And that is when Ronnie (age 5), who is tired because he went to bed late, ate a donut for breakfast, and now wants to play with his truck, has a complete melt down when it’s time for circle. We can make a difference in our day and by association, in the day of every member of our family. From the moment we wake up we have choices that will affect not only ourselves, but also everyone around us. We can choose to notice our state of mind; we can choose to change it. In Movement, Health, and Happiness, Wendy, Liz, & Leah
Enter the level of the Limbic System, the Mammalian Brain. This mid-brain area identifies, categorizes, and organizes our emotions, so that we can center, stabilize, and steer ourselves thoughtfully and consciously. It is at this level that we emotionally connect with others. When we learn to play, coordinate and connect with our hearts, we have access to the third level, the Neocortex: the thinking, planning, idea-generating, rational brain. Ease, confidence, and joy profoundly affect our access to the pre-frontal brain, called the neocortex, where the ability to self-reflect and control our impulses originates. In order to use the higher levels of the brain, we must first address and meet basic survival needs. When stress affects us negatively, and we are unable to make a positive choice and change our reactions, we lose the capability to think clearly, and so we revert back to the Reptilian Brain, where instinct rules the day. And that is when Ronnie (age 5), who is tired because he went to bed late, ate a donut for breakfast, and now wants to play with his truck, has a complete melt down when it’s time for circle. We can make a difference in our day and by association, in the day of every member of our family. From the moment we wake up we have choices that will affect not only ourselves, but also everyone around us. We can choose to notice our state of mind; we can choose to change it. In Movement, Health, and Happiness, Wendy, Liz, & Leah
639655642-Section-15-Parents-Newsletters-1.docx