The Science Of Parenting Ii
This article focuses on small region of the brain known as the hypothalamus
. The hypothalamus is located in the brains limbic system more commonly known as the emotional brain. The article spotlights the function of the hypothalamus and how you can apply this knowledge to enhance your parenting skills.
The hypothalamus monitors internal systems to maintain the normal body state called homeostasis. By controlling the release of a variety of hormones it moderates numerous body functions including sleep, food and liquid intake. Ever wondered why eating and sleeping habits are affected when you are upset? Now you know why, because food and sleep are part of the limbic system commonly referred to as the emotional brain.
Understanding the role of the hypothalamus and its location in the limbic system can give parents useful insights into the importance of their child's emotional state at bedtime. For example you may want to consider checking on how your child is feeling just before they go to bed. This may provide a perfect opportunity to introduce a fun bedtime game called 'what did I do well today?' This allows your child to focus on the positive and reduces the chances that they will go to bed emotionally upset or worried about things. This game might also provide an opportunity for your child to talk to you about anything that may be upsetting them. By allowing them to discuss and focus on the positive things in their day, it empowers them to get a good night's rest. If your child has had a particularly upsetting day they may not be able to easily recall what they did well. This occurs when the negative events overshadow positive ones. There is always something that your child has done well. Take time to probe a little and help them uncover the little nuggets of gold that have the potential to change their lives.
Apart from getting a good night's rest there are other advantages of going to bed in a positive frame of mind. Scientific research has discovered that the brain is more active when we are asleep than awake. Neuroscientist's have found that information gets transferred into the long term memory when we sleep at night. Therefore our emotional frame of mind at bed time is what usually gets transferred into our long term memory. This research gives us the opportunity to program our brains whilst we sleep to create positive thinking and behaviour patterns.
Ways of doing this can include telling your child inspirational stories at bedtime. If your child is too old for bedtime stories get them to read short inspirational stories or quotes just before bedtime. Explain that by doing this it will assist them to train their brain for success. To help your child understand the concept of training their brain, you might like to suggest that they view the video 'How the Brain Works' located at YouTube http://youtu.be/CrSR-55xXD8 It is a short easy to understand 7 minute video designed for children that explains how our thoughts determine our success.
You might also want to let your child know that sitting up most of the night studying is not a good idea. In order for information to reach and be retained by the long term memory they need to sleep on it. This is because information only gets transferred into the long term memory during sleep.
The hypothalamus also provides insights into how eating habits can be associated with our emotions. Developing a positive mental balance sheet may assist your child to consume healthy foods and liquids.
by: Jule Fuller
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