balancing right and left of the brain!

Balancing the brain    - Aruna Rathod   Your child may be a left- or right- brainer, but it’s best to use both sides. Here’s how to make that happen     Worried that your child doesn’t understand simple concepts in class? The reason could be something as simple as that s/he is a rightbrainer and, thus, understands emotions better than logical facts. Each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. While the right controls the creative aspects of human functions, the left deals with logic. Some people tend to use one side of the brain more than the other, hence the label right brainer or left. LEANING TO THE RIGHT?    The behaviour of different sides of the brain was discovered by Roger Sperry, the 1981 Nobel Prize winner, who initiated the study of the relationship between the brain’s right and left hemispheres. Sperry found that the left half tends to function by processing information in an analytical, rational, sequential way. The right half tends to function by recognising relationships, integrating and synthesising information, and arriving at intuitive insights.     In other words, the left side of your brain deals with a problem or situation by collecting data, making analyses and using rational thinking to reach a logical conclusion. The right side approaches the same problem by making intuitive leaps to answers based on insights and perceptions. The left brain tends to break down information for analysis, while the right tends to put information together to create a whole picture. UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD    The human brain begins developing early in prenatal life — three weeks after conception — but in many ways, brain development is a lifelong project. Research has found that the same events that shape the brain during development are also responsible for storing information — new skills and memories — throughout life.     “Children absorb a variety of information, developing skills and honing unique learning styles. S/ he might display the predominance of either left or right side of the brain at different times. It is only at a mature age that abilities and styles get stabilised, and can therefore be identified,” says Swati Salunkhe, counsellor and associate trainer in emotional intelligence.     In her recent book on parenting, Who Do You Think You’re Kidding?, Lina Ashar, shares her experiences on how the two halves work independently and inter-dependently. “This knowledge helps understand how our kids are wired and what we need to do for them to be successful in future,” says Ashar. TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP    Ashar discusses how under the Indian education structure — where assessments and grades depend on an examination system — a right-brained child (who typically finds it tough to remember facts and figures) may not fare well. Parents should then use tools that force both sides to interact. “Expose your child to toys within the sense of sight,” she says.     Both, Ashar and Salunkhe agree that alternate methods of teaching can counter this. For example: scientific concepts can be demonstrated through audio-visual media. “This should not substitute actual interaction between the teacher and student, cooperative group activities with peers, classmates and practical exposure to concepts and information being learnt and processed through educational trips,” adds Salunkhe. BALANCING ACT    Ideally, both sides of the brain must be used equally for fuller development. “Make a thorough analysis of the child’s strengths and weaknesses with respect to thinking, emoting and behaviour. An equal emphasis is essential for enhancing capabilities related to academics, arts, creativity and language related to both sides of the brain,” she says.     After having done this, overcome the weaknesses and consolidate the strengths. Parents must concentrate on activities that force both sides of the brain to interact. Visual stimulation is a must, sounds are important, so is smell. “Get your child to identify different smells. Each and every activity that you encourage with sensory inputs will add to the cross linking of the brain,” says Ashar.   LEFT OR RIGHT?            ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS TO FIND OUT     » Which hand do you write with normally?    » Which hand do you use to eat? » Take a step. Which foot did you use?    » Which hand do you use when brushing  your teeth?    » Which hand do you open a cola bottle with?           If you answered left to these questions, you are normally right-brained. If you answered right to most questions, you are usually left-brained. If it’s a mixed result, you could be more whole-brained.    Go to this link (http://www.perthnow. com.au/fun-games/left-brain-vs-rightbrain/story-e6frg46u-1111114517613). Do you see the pirouetting dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? If it’s clockwise, you use more of the right side of the brain, and vice versa. Ashar says in her book that if you looked long enough at the dancer, the direction changes. This is because by now, the other side of your brain has been activated. Courtesy (visited 8.12.12)

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