Whole brain theory offers an approach for understanding brain functions through Four Quadrant Model. The model presents four modes of learning and thinking based on whole-brain theory. The model focuses on three basic ideas. First, styles are not featured as good or bad, nor as right or wrong.

Hands-on learning is a form of education in which children learn by doing. Instead of simply listening to a teacher or instructor lecture about a given subject, the student engages with the subject matter to solve a problem or create something.

Whole brain learning is a model of learning where learners learn a concept by using both parts of the brain and not just left or the right brain. That’s where the whole brain thinking comes in, and we need to use it wisely to have the right impact on the learners’ minds.

Applying Whole Brain® Thinking means being able to fully leverage one’s own preferences, stretch to other quadrants when necessary, and adapt to and take advantage of the preferences of those around you to improve performance and results.

The principles of brain-based learning

• A healthy body promotes a healthy mind.
• Emotions are key to memory, meaning, and attention.
• Interaction with others benefits brain development.
• Teaching each other boosts memory.
• Memory improves through practice.
• Avoid long lectures.
• Make it meaningful.

As defined by the Glossary of Education Reform, ”brain-based learning refers to teaching methods, lesson designs, and school programs that are based on the latest scientific research about how the brain learns, including such factors as cognitive development—how students learn differently as they age, grow, and mature …

Here are ideas to encourage brain development:

1. Play. Play is a wonderful way to help a baby or toddler’s brain develop. Play might be a game, talking or singing to actively engage your child’s brain.
2. Comfort. Babies can feel stress.
3. Read. Reading is one of the best ways to promote a child’s brain development.

Answer: Learning changes the physical structure of the brain. These structural changes alter the functional organization of the brain; in other words, learning organizes and reorganizes the brain. Different parts of the brain may be ready to learn at different times.

Intellectual Peers In order to truly thrive, gifted and talented students need peers who their equals. They need someone to provide a challenge, create the potential for stimulating discussions, and enrich the learning process.

On its own, giftedness is not defined as a disability or special need. Some gifted students do have special needs (known as “twice exceptional” or “2e”), but most don’t.

AS is a disorder in the autism spectrum that is observed in some gifted children. Gifted children may be very difficult to diagnose with AS because the disorder may resemble other problems such as a learning disability or simply just similar traits of a gifted child.

Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests can be used to determine giftedness in some children. Moderately gifted: 130 to 144. Highly gifted: 145 to 159. Exceptionally gifted: 160 to 179.

Tips for Teaching Gifted Students

1. How can you meet the needs of gifted learners? Tune in to their individual needs, do frequent assessments, and differentiate instruction, experts say.
2. 2 | Assess often.
3. 3 | Let students take charge of their learning.
4. 4 | Honor interests and allow for exploration.
5. 5 | Involve parents.

Too much stress can lead to kids feeling overloaded, exhausted, and burned out. Having a negative or indifferent attitude can be a sign of burnout. Burnout can keep a child from staying motivated to work on challenges.

Emotional signs and symptoms of burnout

• Sense of failure and self-doubt.
• Feeling helpless, trapped, and defeated.
• Detachment, feeling alone in the world.
• Loss of motivation.
• Increasingly cynical and negative outlook.
• Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.

Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism and ineffectiveness in the workplace, and by chronic negative responses to stressful workplace conditions. While not considered a mental illness, burnout can be considered a mental health issue.