A study published in Nature Communications indicates that adolescents' brains react more responsively to receiving
rewards compared to other ages. While this strong reward system can, of course, lead to risky behavior, it can also be used to
make learning easier. It's something that personal brain trainers have been putting to work in programs for decades.
In the study, which used MRI scanners, researchers found that if the adolescent received useful feedback, the corpus striatum
was activated.
So, what should you look for in a one-on-one brain training program? To start, immediate feedback is one of the seven key ingredients of effective brain training. The others are targeting, loading, sequencing, intensity, practice and a one-to-one trainer-to-student ratio. It’s this instant, effective reinforcement and adjustments that keep training focused and intense.
For many tweens, a personal brain training program can create effects that transfer to real life in terms of grades,
confidence, behavior and how long it takes to do homework. Just imagine not having to nag your 12-year-old for hours after
dinner to do his homework or seeing your 11-year-old daughter's boost in confidence because she finally feels like she's a
fast and efficient learner!
And in terms of IQ, which is simply a measurement of cognitive skills, some major studies have shown huge increases.
In one study, the results of nearly 18,000 adolescents (average age 12.3) who went through personal brain training showed
that IQ scores jumped from 97 to 111.
So, what exactly are cognitive skills?
Cognitive skills are the tools that enable us to do things like focus, think, prioritize, plan, understand, visualize,
remember, create useful associations and solve problems.
Our cognitive skill set is made up of several mental skills, including auditory and visual processing, short- and long-term
memory, comprehension, logic and reasoning, and attention skills. Unfortunately, many people believe that kids who have
memorized a lot of academic information, such as facts, figures and formulas, will automatically do well in school. But
learning isn't about how much you know, but how effectively you process or handle the information you receive. Cognitive
skills are the mental mechanisms that process incoming information. By strengthening cognitive skills, you'll create a
stronger learner, which is what's needed to succeed in school and life in general.
Simple memorizing material from books just isn't going to cut it. Tweens need strong cognitive skills like logic and
reasoning, faster processing speed, problem solving skills and prioritizing in order to not only keep up in school, but to
excel.
If you're looking for a starting point, have your tween's cognitive skills assessed at a personal brain training center.
Disclaimer: Internet Special Education Resources (ISER) provides this information in an effort to help parents find local special education professionals and resources. ISER does not recommend or endorse any particular special education referral source, special educational methodological bias, type of special education professional, or specific special education professional.