Right Brain Teaching - my personal core beliefs in a nutshell
"Right Brain?"
Both sides of the brain are needed for the complete creative process. However the right side is the one most needed for the initial, idea generating phase. It is the right side of the brain that is more useful in generating new ideas and synthesizing concepts, in breaking away from conventional patterns of thought. The left side of the brain is better at analyzing and criticizing these new ideas. Very often "left brain" functionality is applied too early in the creative process and ideas are rejected as "impractical" before being fully explored.
Unfortunately our society tends to value "left brain thinking" more than right. In particular much of our education system stresses left brain activity. I tend to focus more on the right brain of the students.
Many creativity techniques and courses stress ways to enhance and stimulate right brain activity. Once the right brain has generated creative ideas then the left brain can be usefully called upon to sort, sift and analyze them in detail.
The main theme to emerge... is that there appear to be two modes of thinking, verbal and nonverbal, represented rather separately in left and right hemispheres respectively and that our education system, as well as science in general, tends to neglect the nonverbal form of intellect. What it comes down to is that modern society discriminates against the right hemisphere.
-Roger Sperry (1973)
Upon completing the map, it was becoming clear to researchers that each side of the brain had a characteristic way that it both interpreted the world and reacted to it. The functions below will help illustrate the characteristics which are known to reside on each side of our brains.
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic, detail, oriented facts rule, words and language, present and past, math and science, can comprehend, knowing, acknowledges order/pattern perception, knows object name, reality based, forms, strategies, practical, safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling, "big picture" oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can "get it" (i.e. meaning )believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous, risk taking
Our personality can be thought of as a result of the degree to which these left and right brains interact, or, in some cases, do not interact. It is a simplification to identify "left brain" types who are very analytical and orderly. We likewise certainly know of the artistic, unpredictability and creativity of "right brain" types. But each of us draws upon specific sides of our brain for a variety of daily functions, depending on such things as our age, education and life experiences. The choices of which brain is in control of which situations is what forges our personalities and determines our character.
Experiments show that most children rank highly creative (right brain) before entering school. Because our educational systems place a higher value on left brain skills such as mathematics, logic and language than it does on drawing or using our imagination, only ten percent of these same children will rank highly creative by age 7. By the time we are adults, high creativity remains in only 2 percent of the population.
Being creative means putting your imagination to work! Listening and participating "actively" in music along with movement or dance will assist the student to generate “original ideas” that have value!
TEACHING WITH HUMOR
Laughter is the best medicine. Science has proven that laughter massages the internal organs, enhancing digestion and circulation. Humor also releases endorphins in the brain that give us an overall sense of well being. Children are most susceptible to humor and can readily accept it under even difficult circumstances.
What is humor? Humor is the ability to recognize the absurd in any situation and to accept it. Humor is the ability to not take oneself or others too seriously. Light heartedness is the essence of a joyful and creative life. A sense of mirth helps relax the mind and make it more flexible. To laugh and learn is the goal!
INSPIRATION IS THE KEY
Inspiration is another element that fosters a creative mind. It helps to start each day with an inspiring thought or little story left behind by the creative genius' of the past.
When your soul is uplifted your ability to grasp and perceive in creative ways is greatly enhanced. Your desire to reach beyond your present boundaries is stimulated. This is the essence of a creative attitude, the desire to reach for new horizons.
A creative mind needs the resiliency and flexibility that truly results from inspiration. Inspiration reminds one of a childlike attitude of exuberance and acceptance of life. Creative solutions will become obvious to even life's most difficult challenges. Have you ever been inspired by an artist of music or art?
Both sides of the brain are needed for the complete creative process. However the right side is the one most needed for the initial, idea generating phase. It is the right side of the brain that is more useful in generating new ideas and synthesizing concepts, in breaking away from conventional patterns of thought. The left side of the brain is better at analyzing and criticizing these new ideas. Very often "left brain" functionality is applied too early in the creative process and ideas are rejected as "impractical" before being fully explored.
Unfortunately our society tends to value "left brain thinking" more than right. In particular much of our education system stresses left brain activity. I tend to focus more on the right brain of the students.
Many creativity techniques and courses stress ways to enhance and stimulate right brain activity. Once the right brain has generated creative ideas then the left brain can be usefully called upon to sort, sift and analyze them in detail.
The main theme to emerge... is that there appear to be two modes of thinking, verbal and nonverbal, represented rather separately in left and right hemispheres respectively and that our education system, as well as science in general, tends to neglect the nonverbal form of intellect. What it comes down to is that modern society discriminates against the right hemisphere.
-Roger Sperry (1973)
Upon completing the map, it was becoming clear to researchers that each side of the brain had a characteristic way that it both interpreted the world and reacted to it. The functions below will help illustrate the characteristics which are known to reside on each side of our brains.
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic, detail, oriented facts rule, words and language, present and past, math and science, can comprehend, knowing, acknowledges order/pattern perception, knows object name, reality based, forms, strategies, practical, safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling, "big picture" oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can "get it" (i.e. meaning )believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous, risk taking
Our personality can be thought of as a result of the degree to which these left and right brains interact, or, in some cases, do not interact. It is a simplification to identify "left brain" types who are very analytical and orderly. We likewise certainly know of the artistic, unpredictability and creativity of "right brain" types. But each of us draws upon specific sides of our brain for a variety of daily functions, depending on such things as our age, education and life experiences. The choices of which brain is in control of which situations is what forges our personalities and determines our character.
Experiments show that most children rank highly creative (right brain) before entering school. Because our educational systems place a higher value on left brain skills such as mathematics, logic and language than it does on drawing or using our imagination, only ten percent of these same children will rank highly creative by age 7. By the time we are adults, high creativity remains in only 2 percent of the population.
Being creative means putting your imagination to work! Listening and participating "actively" in music along with movement or dance will assist the student to generate “original ideas” that have value!
TEACHING WITH HUMOR
Laughter is the best medicine. Science has proven that laughter massages the internal organs, enhancing digestion and circulation. Humor also releases endorphins in the brain that give us an overall sense of well being. Children are most susceptible to humor and can readily accept it under even difficult circumstances.
What is humor? Humor is the ability to recognize the absurd in any situation and to accept it. Humor is the ability to not take oneself or others too seriously. Light heartedness is the essence of a joyful and creative life. A sense of mirth helps relax the mind and make it more flexible. To laugh and learn is the goal!
INSPIRATION IS THE KEY
Inspiration is another element that fosters a creative mind. It helps to start each day with an inspiring thought or little story left behind by the creative genius' of the past.
When your soul is uplifted your ability to grasp and perceive in creative ways is greatly enhanced. Your desire to reach beyond your present boundaries is stimulated. This is the essence of a creative attitude, the desire to reach for new horizons.
A creative mind needs the resiliency and flexibility that truly results from inspiration. Inspiration reminds one of a childlike attitude of exuberance and acceptance of life. Creative solutions will become obvious to even life's most difficult challenges. Have you ever been inspired by an artist of music or art?