Seratonin
For example, seratonin is a chemical released into
UPSHOT
the brain through feelings of safety and wellbeing.
It is released when we feel comfortable with
ourselves and our surroundings and when we feel
safe and secure. It is also released when we listen to
favourite music, do physical exercise or just when we
are in situations that are familiar.
Studies have shown over the last 20 years that,
when seratonin levels are decreased this has been
linked to aggressive, impulsive behaviour or violence.
Parents and teachers can stimulate the flow of this
chemical by influencing the positive feelings of
wellbeing using techniques that will make children
This “internal reward system” has been seen through Cortisol
feel comfortable and not under threat or pressure.
studies to work more effectively than handing out
Giving children feedback on how they are doing,
Just as some chemicals have proved to be positive,
prizes, sweets or money to acknowledge success.
getting them moving, dancing or listening to music
others have a potentially negative effect on our state
before they go to school or do their homework, and
of mind and learning.
Adrenaline
ensuring a secure, safe environment in which to live,
Stress makes it virtually impossible to learn. Whilst
work and play helps their brains grow.
Under conditions of stress, fear or excitement the
hormone, adrenaline, is released from the adrenal
some stress can keep us alert and in survival mode,
gland into the bloodstream, eventually, through the
too much simply leads to the brain “shutting down”.
Seratonin is released when a child is
liver, stimulating the release of glucose for rapid energy. The chemical, cortisol, is commonly released during
given a positive role such as being
Along with other drugs, it helps signal to the brain:
stress, whether it be physical, environmental,
responsible for other siblings, the head
“This is important; keep this,” and therefore is vital to
academic, or emotional. Thinking and memory are
weakened to a point where extreme stress prevents
gardener or helper in the kitchen
help memory. Eric Jensen refers to evidence of
research that showed adrenaline acts as a memory
the brain from making connections and thinking
If, as it also seems, seratonin is released when a
fixative, “locking up memories of exciting or
problems through logically. Very high levels of cortisol
child is given a positive role such as being responsible
traumatic events”. When something happens that is
can lead to the death of brain cells.
for other siblings, the head gardener or helper in the
interesting, exciting or simply good fun, we seem to Children can be very sensitive to stress or distress.
kitchen, it makes a good case for the importance of
be programmed to want to do it again and these Going to school or being put in a new group of
sharing out these roles amongst all children in a family
“unusual” events create an extreme memory that friends can be a difficult time for children. Eric
so that each gets their fair share of positive feelings.
remains with us most of our lives. Jensen highlights research that shows that
10 minutes of stress a day over 5 days in tested
Dopamine If children have had great fun,
rats saw that their brain cells became smaller.
Another “feel good” neurotransmitter is dopamine
experiencing new things and new
which, when released, gives us feelings of
“pleasure”. We hear a lot about dopamine,
places, adrenaline kicks in and fixes
Whilst some stress can keep us alert
particularly in relation to drug-taking, with users in the memory of what happened there
and in survival mode, too much simply
search of the high but dopamine is released naturally
leads to the brain “shutting down”
through successful problem solving, winning,
One way we can help our children is to link up what
prediction that something good is going to happen,
we want them to learn with what Eric Jensen calls
It must be remembered that humiliation,
bonding, and celebration of success.
“the wow” factor so that they make connections that
embarrassment and bullying can all cause stress for
will strengthen and influence natural memory.
children. Eliminate these and your child has more
The release of “good motivator”
Therefore, if children have had great fun,
chance of success.
experiencing new things and new places, adrenaline
Neuroscience is not just about chemicals. Human
chemicals in the brain work more
kicks in and fixes the memory of what happened
behaviour is affected by an infinite number of factors
effectively than handing out
there. Trips to the Science Museum, for example,
both physical and external. One thing seems certain
including an action-packed, exciting, hands-on trail
prizes, sweets or money to
though: the old idea that, if someone cleverer than
will be more effective as a learning tool than sitting in
you teaches you, you will automatically learn, is far
acknowledge success
a classroom. But the importance of varied
too simplistic. For optimum learning, you’ve got to
experience is vital for the process of learning
keep the brain in mind.
For example, when playing games with children,
because, once things become normal, the brain
putting readily answerable questions or tasks into
moves on.
the game at the beginning where they can
successfully solve a few problems boosts the release Eric Jensen is the co-founder of the first international
of dopamine which in turn will help their memory brain-based foundation. He is also a member of the
enable them complete more demanding tasks. International Society for Neuroscience and the New York
If we believe in our ability and have goals set either
LINKS
Academy of Science and has taught at all levels.
He recently spoke at the IAPS Conference to 300
by ourselves or for us that we clearly understand,
Eric Jensen’s books include: ‘Enriching the Brain’,
headteachers of independent prep schools.
have relevance and are not well beyond the realms
‘Brain-Based Learning’, ‘Brain-Compatible
of possibility, this positive belief also triggers the
With thanks also to Headmaster, George Marsh, and the
Strategies’ and ‘Teaching with the Brain in Mind’
release of dopamine along with another pleasure
staff of Dulwich College Prep School for including me in
www.jensenlearning.com
chemical, endorphins. Eric Jensen calls these “good
their teacher training with Eric Jensen.
motivator” chemicals. It is our internal way of Professor Elizabeth Spelke’s information for parents:
motivating ourselves to achieve and receive rewards www.wjh.harvard.edu/~lds/index.
for that achievement. html?spelke.html
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