A manual for empathic and trauma-informed teaching, offering a framework of an effective learning environment for students while also optimizing teachers' mental health. Drawing on applied educational neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory (which foregrounds the role of the vagus nerve on emotions and reactions to trauma), it explains how to approach and maintain emotional regulation, help students achieve stability, and create a supportive environment that allows space for learning.
Do you think you really know yourself? You might be consciously aware of whom you think you are. But hidden forces recorded in your subconscious mind when you were a fetus or a young child can unconsciously and unintentionally shape your behavior and interpersonal relationships. In Meet Yourself Again for the First Time, author William Pillow shows how these forces can have a profound impact on your life. Meet Yourself Again for the First Time provides a wealth of thought-provoking information about the intricacies of memory, brain plasticity, and early human experiences. It helps you understand: The complexity of humans The lifelong impact of events in your early years The influence of a complicated, unpredictable society The individual uniqueness of human beings The special nature and incomparable capabilities of each human being Based on years of research on various forms of memory, Meet Yourself Again for the First Time helps you learn why you behave as you do with the ultimate goal of discovering a personal path to a better life for you and your children.
The real story of how our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes—with or without “brain training.” Fifty years ago, neuroscientists thought that a mature brain was fixed like a fly in amber, unable to change. Today, we know that our brains and nervous systems change throughout our lifetimes. This concept of neuroplasticity has captured the imagination of a public eager for self-improvement—and has inspired countless Internet entrepreneurs who peddle dubious “brain training” games and apps. In this book, Moheb Costandi offers a concise and engaging overview of neuroplasticity for the general reader, describing how our brains change continuously in response to our actions and experiences. Costandi discusses key experimental findings, and describes how our thinking about the brain has evolved over time. He explains how the brain changes during development, and the “synaptic pruning” that takes place before brain maturity. He shows that adult brains can grow new cells (citing, among many other studies, research showing that sexually mature male canaries learn a new song every year). He describes the kind of brain training that can bring about improvement in brain function. It's not gadgets and games that promise to “rewire your brain” but such sustained cognitive tasks as learning a musical instrument or a new language. (Costandi also notes that London cabbies increase their gray matter after rigorous training in their city's complicated streets.) He tells how brains compensate after stroke or injury; describes addiction and pain as maladaptive forms of neuroplasticity; and considers brain changes that accompany childhood, adolescence, parenthood, and aging. Each of our brains is custom-built. Neuroplasticity is at the heart of what makes us human.
The developing brains of our children need to "feel" safe. Children who carry chronic behavioral challenges are often met with reactive and punitive practices that can potentially reactivate the developing stress response systems. This book deeply addresses the need for co-regulatory and relational touch point practices, shifting student-focused behavior management protocols to adult regulated brain and body states which are brain aligned, preventive, and relational discipline protocols. This new lens for discipline benefits all students by reaching for sustainable behavioral changes through brain state awareness rather than compliance and obedience.
This master-class-in-a-book is designed to guide teachers of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) in continuing to develop more competence while raising global standards of practice and pedagogy. Starting with the central yet elusive concept of stewardship, it then expands upon the core components of MBI pedagogy. A series of reflective essays by MBI teachers from around the world foregrounds differences and challenges in meeting participants “where they are.” Such reflections are both inspiring and thought-provoking for teachers —wherever they are. The book also provides practical guidance and tools for adjusting teaching style and content for special populations, from chronic pain patients to trauma survivors, from health care professionals to clergy, and including many others. Detailed scripts and practices, ready to adopt and adapt, offer opportunities to explore new directions in the classroom, and to continue the life-long development of the teacher. Included in the coverage: Deepening teachers’ skills of guidance of meditation practices Insights into the essential practice of inquiry and dialogue with participants New practices that allow participants to explore mindfulness together in a spoken encounter How to keep up with, review, and make clear to participants the range of scientific evidence supporting the MBIs The breadth of practical insights and hands-on strategies makes Resources for Teaching Mindfulness a unique developmental asset for a wide range of practitioners around the world. Among those who will benefit are physicians and other medical practitioners, health and clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, nurses, clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists, health educators, and organizational development specialists.
Maybe you have heard the terms 'trauma-informed' and 'restorative' - but how do you go about becoming a trauma-informed, restorative educator? This practical book outlines the values, ideas and neuroscience behind trauma-informed restorative practice and its proven effectiveness. It clearly explains key theories relating to shame, trauma and your autonomic nervous system, and explains how to apply this knowledge in practice. Examples and stories of restorative practice feature throughout to inspire and emulate, as do practical protocols, tools and systems to develop your skills as a trauma-informed educator. Critically, it also explains the personal and professional qualities you need to nurture to truly engage in trauma-informed, restorative practice, with reflection points to aid learning and self-development. Read this book and take your first steps to creating a trauma-informed, restorative classroom - even if your school isn't doing it!
There¿s never been a more chaotic and tenuous time in our nation¿s educational story.Learning is the most natural thing human beings do. Yet, it seems the ¿harder¿ we work in schools helping our students to acquire the learning they need, the academic performances stay stagnant or lessen. Schools are not machines. Schools are a network of human beings who feel, think, behave, and function within a human system that is alive and never static. Schools are living systems. This living system of sentient beings are neuro-biologically wired to feel first; to think, to love, to connect, and to experience deep joy as well as deep disappointment and pain. This system is wired to thrive, even through difficult times¿ Lori and Michael believe that we can begin to create wholeness and connection within our schools, and help them to thrive, mindfully and by design.
A science-based leadership framework for building capacity and overcoming exhaustion in today’s complex world Epidemic Leadership introduces an adaptive leadership approach designed to help you (and your followers) thrive and influence in today’s complex age. This book provides a how-to methodology for simply and practically putting the principles of epidemic phenomena into successful practice. By understanding their function in adaptive systems and applying their organizing principles to daily work, you can lead more effectively for greater results, more agile responsiveness, and deeper vitality. Epidemic Leadership synthesizes science, stories of leadership experience, and practical technique to shape the challenge of “leading in complex environments” into a compelling field guide for leaders who seek to improve results and contribute to a healthier world. You will be inspired, challenged, and practically equipped to begin a journey toward exponential positive impact in this pivotal era. Discover a novel leadership approach that’s particularly applicable to tackling the big problems in your workplace and world Realize better performance and enhance your ability to create results sooner and more sustainably, across a wider array of processes and topics Restore vitality in yourself and those you lead, for renewed hope, enthusiasm and engagement Companies and institutions will benefit from the deep capacities Epidemic Leadership builds. For leaders who struggle to find enough time and energy to create the impact they seek, this book offers a unique path for our challenging times.
Neuroscience made simple: practical methods to rewire your brain and take control of your thoughts, actions, and inner voice. Despite our best efforts, most of the time, we act without thinking. We make poor decisions. But this isn’t our fault! It’s just how our brains are programmed. Now, you don’t have to be a scientist to understand how to use your brain’s instincts to your advantage instead of your downfall. Understand your brain; change it; shape it; master it. Build a Better Brain has one goal: to help you improve your life by understanding how your brain works, and taking advantage of it. Put simply, your brain still thinks it is 10,000 BC, and this has the potential to sabotage you on a daily basis. This book is a deep look into the roots of conscious and unconscious behavior. It’s your introduction to neuroscience, but written for non-scientists and packed with advice. At the end of the day, this book is a guide for how to rewire your brain for optimal performance and happiness. Learn to create real neural growth on a daily basis. Increase your mental speed, think quicker, and make better decisions. Peter Hollins has studied psychology and peak human performance for over a dozen years and is a bestselling author. He has worked with dozens of individuals to unlock their potential and path towards success. His writing draws on his academic, coaching, and research experience. Oddly enough, neuroscience was his favorite class in school, and he has found how to apply that same information to real life situations. Control your impulses, anxious unconscious, and fears. Click the BUY NOW button to harness your mental potential. •The physiological origins of your behavior and how to shape them. •How habits - good and bad alike - are completely within your control. •Neuroplasticity in all its forms, and how to harness it for discipline and motivation. •Guiding principles for neural growth and networking. Improve everything you felt was simply impossible to change. Stop acting against your own interests and create intentional action.
Some people seem to be born with a mental makeup that predestines them for success. But anyone can master their mindset. Dave Anderson shows you how. In Intentional Mindset, LearnToLead founder Dave Anderson shows you how to purposefully develop both killer instinct and mental toughness by cultivating and strengthening ten specific traits. The author of 15 books and host of the popular podcast The Game Changer Life, Dave's guidance has impacted readers and listeners in more than 145 countries. Now, he shares a unique blueprint for developing the mindset you need to succeed, presenting foundational strategies for intentionally developing and strengthening what he calls the ACCREDITED traits: attitude, competitiveness, character, rigor, effort, discipline, intelligence, tenacity, energy, and drive. Throughout the book, readers will follow the progress of three "case studies." The frustrations, progress, and victories of "Fred," "Frank," and "Frances" will replace the sterile or academic approach so common in personal development books with a more readable, personal, and actionable experience. What's more, Anderson provides an optional 70-day follow-up course to integrate the book's lessons into one's daily routine and accelerate results. All materials for this course, including a downloadable workbook and 70 supporting videos—one for each day—are provided at no cost on the LearnToLead website. Intentional Mindset is a true game changer—a book that gives you the tools to shape your future by shaping your mind.
