JoAnn Deak: New research reveals best times to teach children; Deak to speak at St. Edward's School

Dr. JoAnn Deak will offer two free sessions on brain development, gender differences and motivation in children Nov. 8 in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts at St. Edward's School, Vero Beach.

 4 p.m.: focused on tweens and teens in middle and high school

 5:15 p.m.: focus on elementary ages.

For more information, contact Pamela Zeuner at 772-492-2360 or

New research reveals best times to teach children

Over the past 10 years, all of my professional time has been devoted to keeping up with the staggering onslaught of research on the brain and its implications for parents and schools. Imaging live, healthy and working brains via computer has increased our understanding of how pliable and changeable brains are during childhood and adolescence.

Recent research highlights periods called "windows of neurological sensitivity or opportunity." The term "sweet spot" captures the essence of this important concept: plasticity of the brain. If we use certain parts of the brain at certain ages, we get more "bang for the buck" or growth than we would at a later stage, even if we put in the same amount of time and effort. And if we do hit the sweet spot, there is growing evidence that this enhances the brain's plasticity and aptitude for a lifetime.

Here are some tips to make the most of our knowledge of the baby brain:

Talk directly to your baby. In the first year of life, language input into a baby's brain enhances the growth of the language centers ONLY if that talk comes directly from a person, not a video or audio machine. This is because the language centers of the brain are exceptionally responsive and plastic in the first three years of life.

Since this technology has only recently become available, the question becomes, when does the use of distance communication like TV, iPads, etc., have a positive effect on the brain? Much more study is needed. Until then, spend time communicating in person with your children. Let them plug into the TV or iPad when you need that infrequent break to charge your own system.

Encourage your child to engage in creative pursuits. This point helps us understand why there are sweet spots in the first place. We know that the brain does not come into the world a "done deal," so to speak. Each section of the brain needs to be used when it becomes ready. That's really what is meant by windows or sweet spots.

For example, research shows that learning how to play a musical instrument before age 10 actually enhances intelligence and problem solving later in life. Frequent exposure to a foreign language before age 9 enhances the learning of that language (or another with a similar phonemic system) for a lifetime. Using just these two examples, you can see the implications for parenting and educational choices.

Do not push your child beyond what he or she is capable of. Talk of brain growth can sometimes lead to overloading children with experiences, classes, etc. The brain acts like a collection of muscles and each part needs to be used, not just the parts that work well. If any parts are overworked, they will not grow in a healthy way.

In summary, if we take advantage of these sweet spots, we can reap a lifetime of benefits. Again, consider the following examples and suggestions.

 If you want your child to be multilingual, make sure s/he hears at least one foreign language before age 9. You can do this by having bilingual neighbors and friends speak the language to them and teach them songs or word games. Enrollment in a preschool or school that has early foreign language experience is another option.

 Having early music experience before age 10 enhances thinking skills later in life. Parents and caregivers can look into preschools that offer class time focused on movement and music. You can also investigate Orff instrument experiences for young children or beginning individual instrumental music lessons before age 10.