Christian Homeschooling announces Part 1 of our Learning and the Brain series, called Neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change internal structure and function.  The article describes the findings of recent neuroscience studies, particularly of MRI brain scans. These studies show that learning leaves a physical imprint on the brain.  In fact, neuroplasticity appears to be the basis of learning.

The idea that learning is a physiological process is contrary to the ideas that form the basis of 20^th century “modern education.”  Is this new knowledge being incorporated into the education field?  No, it is not.  Which is surprising since the education industry is supposed to be promoting learning.

The difficulty seems to be that education and neuroscience have never really been affiliated before.  “This marriage between neuroscience and education is pretty new,” said Kenneth Kosik, an eminent California neuroscientist and neurologist, who is Co-director of the Neuroscience Research Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Christian Homeschooling’s approach is based the idea that learning is physiological; structural changes at the cellular level occur as we learn new ideas or have new experiences.  Ever notice how long it takes to learn something new, like playing a new song or practicing a golf swing?  It takes daily work and weeks of practice.  A child’s mind seems to be more agile than an adult’s, but it still takes extended effort and work—focus and repetition—for a child to learn new ideas and knowledge.

Here is a link about neuroplasticity that is intended for kids. You might be surprised how interested children are in how their brain works.

Learning and the Brain is our first article series in Christian Homeschooling Foundations.  Look for Part 2: Brain Chemistry and Part 3: Brain Development in the near future.