10 ways that Neuroplasticity can improve your child’s brain

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to restructure itself based on experiences. In essence, it’s the brain’s ongoing capacity to adapt and evolve, offering opportunities for growth and change.

NP is the mechanism underlying learning, memory formation and behavioural adaptation. This dynamic process enables us to modify our thinking patterns and behaviours, particularly in the face of challenges or traumatic events.

While neuroplasticity occurs naturally on a daily basis, we can help our children (and ourselves) to deliberately cultivate specific pathways through focused practice and stimulation. Here’s some top tips for helping to develop your child’s neuroplasticity…

1. Physical activity can increase the hippocampus (this part of the brain plays a major role in learning and memory. This includes dancing!
2. Ensure that your child gets enough sleep. This also has a significant effect on the hippocampus.
3. Immerse your child in examples of what they want to achieve. Expose them to the modelled example as often as possible.
4. Visit as many new places with your child as possible. New stimuli and new environments will open up new pathways
5. Practise the brain training technique of mnemonics (e.g. creating rhymes, visual images, key words, music or acronyms to help remember new information).
6. Expand your child’s vocabulary
7. Ask your child to complete tasks using their non-dominant hand. For example, they could try to write a sentence with their left hand if they are right handed.
8. Learning a musical instrument or another language increases connectivity.
9. Teach your child how to juggle.
10. If your child plays video games, encourage them to play 3D adventure games as these will help to improve memory and problem solving skills