Welcome to the February 2019 Learning Brain News.

School is back in Australia and New Zealand. I hope you all had the holidays you wanted and are back re-energised for 2019.

I have observed over the years how bullying and social difficulties have such a negative impact on students’ learning. So in this issue, we look at some ways teachers and parents can combat the menace of bullying.

Best wishes,

Devon NL signature jpeg..jpg

Devon Barnes
Learning Brain News

PS: Also in this issue, more on autism, and has the fun gone out of pre-school?

PPS: Get over 100 free learning resources - see below.

meanLatest Research

Inside a Bully’s Brain

A new study shows brain chemicals may play a role in bullying and aggressive behaviour. The researchers say understanding the biological causes of anti-social behaviours is a step towards effective prevention and treatment. Read more here and here.

What's New?

kids on social media phonesA Cyber Licence for our Students?

Prominent Australian Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg has proposed primary school students should pass a digital “licence” test to help protect them from online risks, including cyber-bullying. Under his plan students would need the licence before bringing their device to school. Read more.

What's On?

Australia’s National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

The Australian government sponsored day is on again in Term 1 (on Friday 15 March). This year the theme is “Bullying. No Way! Take action every day”. Read more.

 

bullying.no.way

free learning resources2

Back to School with over 100 Free Learning resources

School is back in Australia and New Zealand. Help your students with over 100 free resources with helpful tips, e-books, checklists, latest research about learning, and webinar links. Explore your free learning resources here.

 

brain with hand and face from istockAutism

Game Based ‘Digital Medicine’ May Help Children with ASD and ADHD

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia evaluated a digital medicine tool designed to treat children with autism and attention/deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As many as 50 percent of children with ASD have some ADHD symptoms. Read more.

 

 

cameraScreen Shot 2019-02-05 at 7.12.06 pm4 Benefits of Photography for Students with Autism

A teacher who has used photography to build student engagement notes particular benefits for students on the spectrum. “As a hobby photographer, I take my passion into the classroom. Photography can be an innovative way to help students with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum, appreciate and highlight their creative perspectives”. Read more.

 

Box brain memoryMemory

Why Forgetting May Make Your Mind More Efficient

Forgetting has been regarded as a passive decay of the information recorded and stored in our brains. Some memories may simply fade away like ink on paper exposed to sunlight, but recent research suggests forgetting is often more intentional. There may be a good reason why we forget. Read more.

Importance-of-being-little-136x205The Learning Capacity Blog

In the Quest for School-Readiness, Has the Fun Gone from Preschool?

There's a trend for preschools to become more structured, and to offer more formal learning programs to help children prepare for school. This cuts time for unstructured play and simple fun. Is that good for kids? Read more.

Checklist-Free Download

18 Signs that May Indicate your Child has Dyslexia

Are you a concerned parent wondering if your child may have Dyslexia? Are they a slow reader? Do they struggle to sound out words, or randomly guess words when reading? The 18 questions on the checklist will enable you to consider if your child may need a professional assessment or help. Get it here.

Rosies brainBook of the Month

Rosie’s Brain

Rosie’s Brain (by Linda Ryden) is a cute story that helps children learn about what’s going on in the brain when we’re angry, and how to tap into it to calm down and solve problems peacefully. Read more.

Hopscotch appApp of the Month

Hopscotch: Coding for kids

Hopscotch provides a scaffolding learning for coding. It empowers the students to experiment and create their own coding. The app provides graphics that look like old school arcade games. The in-app platform and instructions are a resource for students to explore other coding programs that have been uploaded to the Hopscotch community learning hub.

Solutions to Learning Challenges