Diamond Minds
Did you know that even infants are capable of learning far more than most of us realize?
Diamond Minds By Barry Farber The Power Early Learning of Barry Farber grows "at a remarkable rate," she adds. "So if you lay down strong connections with these neurological pathways early, it allows children to develop a very powerful and strategic way to learn." Dr. Plum has found certain elements to be critical in learning, especially for children. First, love and trust—after all, if you can't trust your environment growing up, how can you trust what you're learning? And second, communication; children need you to really hear them—and respond. Spend time with your child and pay attention to his or her questions, no matter how silly they seem. Even as adults we see the benefits of creating a hands-on environment for learning. Colleen Keenan, Yale graduate, MBA, and business coach with ActionCOACH, urges parents to provide their kids with more experiential learning. "When we run workshops, we create a participatory learning environment, giving people the chance to actually try things, to move around the room, to hear music, see great visuals," Keenan says. "Everyone learns more." The lesson for parents is clear: Read to your kids, definitely, and talk to them all the time. But also let them explore, touch, and experience as much as possible. s GivinG Your Children A StronG StArt in life hat would give your children the strongest foundation for learning? For one thing, start early. Studies show that infants under three months old can remember visual sequences and simple mechanical tasks. Five-month-olds can grasp the basic concepts of addition and subtraction. Six-month-olds can recognize language, long before they know how to speak. Teacher-turned-entrepreneur Cindy Coleman, M.Ed. and CEO of Take Pride Learning, has an innovative approach to early education: "Constantly read to your children at a very young age and let them to see you reading," she advises. "Ask questions that make them think." Coleman, who works with the San Diego Zoo, also incorporates music, motion, and especially animals, which children are naturally drawn to. "Make learning fun and exciting," she advises, "and something your child would love to do." Children first listen, Coleman notes, then speak, read, and finally write—a natural progression. From birth to five years old, a child's brain W When my kids were much younger we took them to many places, such as hands-on museums, zoos, hikes, and even on business trips. It's amazing what they pick up when you let them experience new environments. It familiarizes them with the world, freeing them to explore the world on their own later on. A child's brain is like a sponge taking in information, which means that establishing learning patterns early is most effective. "The brain is maximally plastic up to the age of eight," says Fred Plum, M.D., chairman of Cornell Medical Center's neurology department. "Until then, one can produce serious injury to the language zones of the brain, yet the child will learn language with the other side of the brain. After the age of eight, it becomes increasingly difficult." Exploring the world Barry Farber consults with businesses to help them break through sales clutter and land more deals. He specializes in developing simple yet creative strategies that get results. He is the best-selling author of 11 books, a black-belt weapons expert, and a regular on QVC marketing innovative products. His latest release is a 6-CD program, Diamond in the Rough (Nightingale Conant Corporation). Contact him at 973-535-9400 or barry@barryfarber.com. 96 SUBURBAN ESSEX MAGAZINE October 2009
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