Newsletter – 11 June 2021

I read an interesting article this week by science writer, Anne Murphy Paul. Murphy Paul outlined how gesturing, modelling, offloading and physical activity can help us to grasp difficult concepts and new information. She explained that our brains are not naturally good at high level processing and precise recall tasks for lengthy periods of time. Our brains need help to learn abstract concepts, remember precise details without making errors and to persist at cognitively demanding tasks. This is where gesturing, physical movement, modelling and offloading can help us to learn more effectively and efficiently.

Here are some strategies that will support learning:

1. Spending time being active improves our executive functioning, self-control and replenishes a tired brain. Essentially, physical activity gives our brain a ‘rest’ from cognitively demanding tasks. After some physical activity, our brains are refreshed and ready for learning again.  
2. Hand gesturing has been proven to aid fluent thinking, more cohesive speaking and increased sophistication in our understanding. Gesturing dies this by anchoring another ‘hook’ into our brains. This makes new learning easier to remember as the gesturing prompts our brain’s neural pathways which aids our recall. A useful tip is to pair new words and concepts with a gesture  to help these terms and ideas be more easily recalled.
3. Offloading our thoughts by writing or drawing a picture on paper supports recall because it gets the thoughts out of our heads, thereby reducing our cognitive load. When we write or draw, we create mental maps which helps us process new ideas, stabilises concepts in our brains and makes it easier to remember new things. Personally, I know that if I write something down, it stops my brain going into (a sometimes exhausting!) overdrive trying to remember the information! Drawing, writing or creating a concept map also has another benefit – it reveals gaps in our understanding that may have remained hidden if everything just stayed in our heads.
4. Modelling is another strategy that helps our build understanding and improve our memory. When we create a model of something, we need to break the process or concept down into micro-steps. When we master a step we not only gain confidence but also a better understanding of that ‘micro-step’. Making a model makes our brain summarise and sort for the most important information.
5. Think Aloud is another useful learning strategy because it gives our brains another ‘hook’ to remember new information. By voicing what you are doing or learning, you add another sensory hook (sound) to the ideas being stored in your memory.       

        I encourage all our RGLPS parents/carers to try these strategies out with your children and see if they help them process and retain new learning.