Saturday 17 August 2013

Changing children's brains

Portraits of Serafino & Francesco Falzacappa; Pier Leone Ghezzi [1674 - 1755]
Source: J. Paul Getty Museum


Our children are being exposed to an experience that alters their brains in ways we do not fully understand. There is now strong evidence that patterns of brain connectivity are different in individuals who have been exposed compared to those who have not1. Influential figures have expressed concern that people’s memories will be restricted by this experience, which removes the need for them to memorise material, and allows them to look things up instead2. And indeed, there is clear evidence of changes in cognitive processing, as predicted3. Furthermore, instead of learning in a social context, our children are increasingly being encouraged to engage in solitary activities that deprive them from the benefits of interacting with other people. And, rather than embracing traditional influences, they are exposed to alien ideas from other cultures4,5 

Does this sound familiar? Are you thinking computer games, ipads, smart phones? If so, then consider: We are changing children’s brains, altering their memories, and influencing their ideas by exposing them to books.

References
1. Dehaene, Stanislas, Pegado, Felipe, Braga, Lucia W., Ventura, Paulo, Filho, Gilberto Nunes, Jobert, Antoinette, Dehaene-Lambertz, Ghislaine, Kolinsky, Régine, Morais, José, & Cohen, Laurent (2010). How learning to read changes the cortical networks for vision and language Science, 330, 1359-1364 DOI: 10.1126/science.1194140 
2. http://outofthejungle.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/socrates-objections-to-writing.html
3. Ong, W. J. (1982). Orality and Literacy. London and New York: Routledge.
4. http://yalebooks.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/a-history-of-women-readers-belinda-jack-discusses-the-relationship-between-gender-and-literacy/
5. Nafisi, A. (2003). Reading Lolita in Tehran. New York: Random House.



5 comments:

  1. Dear Dorothy,
    I agree with you that the use of technology will change how children's brain and cognitive abilities develop particularly if their is an over use/reliance on them. However it is not possible to stop children using these devices at some point during their development.

    Perhaps if children were to use apps or programs that were designed to maximize the learning potential of children. Rather than quick app based games.

    I am not saying that reliance on these devices is the best thing for children's development but that I don't think that we can stop children using or being exposed to these devices, so it is important to use and design them in a way to help develop the children. Unfortunately I guess that the scientific data proving or disproving the long term effects of use is not currently known. I am aware of current researchers designing and currently testing these for attention (e.g. Kim Cornish). But whether they work long term is not known.

    Best wishes.

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  2. Yes i agreed with the games are really amazing to boosting the children mind. its also refresh their mind and teach them a lot of techniques.

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  3. Wow - apparently "games" have had a negative impact to many minds - the essay was about BOOKS! And the fear of long term negative impact of BOOKS!

    Jeez ...

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  4. There is now strong evidence that patterns of brain connectivity are different in individuals who have been exposed compared to those who have not1. Influential figures have expressed concern that people’s memories will be restricted by this experience, which removes the need for them to memorise material, and allows them to look things up instead2. And indeed, there is clear evidence of changes in cognitive processing, as predicted3. Children Learning Reading Program Review

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  5. Wonderful blog post!! I found this post while searching something related to my work. I must say that you have done a commendable job with it! Keep it up!!

    Brain Development In Children

    ReplyDelete