Welcome to the February 2017 edition of The Learning Brain.

So it's back to school for everybody. In this month's newsletter you'll find lots of resources and tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.

You can read tips for teachers and parents. Plus, you can learn about 2 new programs to help reduce bullying and improve social skills.

PS: I'll be presenting the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the Fast ForWord program at the Learning Difference Convention in Melbourne and Sydney in a few weeks time. Details below.

PPS: Visit the LearnFast exhibit at the Learning Difference Convention in Sydney to learn about two great new programs - to help prevent bullying and to build social skills.

Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Conferences

In Sydney, Melbourne & Auckland this year

There was a great response to last year’s Educating with Neuroscience 2016 Conference in Melbourne. So much so that the 2017 conference will be held in 3 cities this year.

You will hear from the Neuroscientist, Dr Steve Miller, about the latest advances in understanding how students learn. Plus you will see at least 7 practical applications of the science being used in schools right now to improve learning outcomes for all ages and in all subjects.

Super early bird registration opens soon (ticket numbers are limited).

Register to be notified when these go on sale to save over 50%.

Latest Research

Brain HQ Beats other Adult Brain Fitness Programs: WA Uni Study

Researchers from Curtin University and University of Western Australia have just published a review that looked at the number and quality of studies (in healthy aging) of commercially available adult brain fitness programs.

They looked at 18 programs, and reported that 11 had zero studies meeting their criteria.
Of the remaining 7, Posit Science’s BrainHQ adult brain fitness program was the clear leader in efficacy, with 8 times as many “high quality” studies as any other program. Read more.

How the Brain Helps Us Understand Speech in Noisy Settings

Humans are exquisitely skilled at perceiving speech, even when speakers’ voices are intermittently overwhelmed by noise.

University of California scientists have discovered an unexpected mechanism our brains use to compensate when speech sounds are obscured by noise. Read more about their study with patients preparing for brain surgery. 

How Boys and Girls Brains React Differently to Stress

Traumatic stress affects the brains of adolescent boys and girls differently, according to a new brain-scanning study from the Stanford University School of Medicine. Read more.

What's On?

Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne- 25th February, 2017
Rosehill Gardens Racecource, Sydney - 2nd & 3rd March, 2017

For teachers and parents, this Convention presents solutions for learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Autism.

Hear Devon Barnes discuss the evidence for the Fast ForWord program at the Convention in Melbourne on Saturday 25 February at 12pm & Sydney on Thursday March 2 at 2pm

And visit the LearnFast exhibit at the Sydney Convention to learn about two great new programs - to help prevent bullying and to build social skills.

• Cool School - teaches students about bullying through interactive videos and offline activities. Addresses bystander behaviour and how it can contribute to bullying at school.
• The Social Express - targets core deficits that stand in the way of school, social, and life success for children and young adults. Enables them to become more socially aware and competent individuals.

Free Download

Maths Skills Booster – February Worksheets

Thanks again for sending through your Maths Skills Booster feedback. It is always great to see how students are benefiting from this simple tool. Here are a few of the comments we received over the holidays:

• Great to have a consistent plan for increasing skills and it's easy to use
• Students enjoy challenging their own capacities timewise
• Ease of use and availability

Ready for your new set of Maths Skills Booster Worksheets? You can download the February worksheets here.

Did you miss out on the original Maths Skills Booster? You can get it here.

New e-Book: Maths Success in 10 Minutes a Day

Written by David Stanley, former maths teacher and coach, the book shows you how your child (or you) can be better and more confident at maths in just a few minutes a day. Watch your email for the publication date (coming soon).

Book of the Month

Life Animated - A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism

Life Animated is the real-life story of Owen Suskind, the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind and his wife, Cornelia.

An autistic boy who couldn't speak for years, Owen memorised dozens of Disney movies, turned them into a language to express love and loss, kinship and brotherhood. The family was forced to become animated characters, communicating with him in Disney dialogue and song.

Now an Oscar Nominated Film

The book has been made into a film, Life, Animated, directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams. It's been nominated for an Oscar this year.

App of the Month

Duolingo - Learn Language for Free

Duolingo is a popular, highly rated app that allows students of all ages to learn a foreign language. The app has an intuitive and engaging interface and a neat progress tracker, as well as a large selection of languages to choose from.