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Andre Carter

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Train the brain before filling the brain.

In school we often jump to getting information into a child's brain rather than preparing the brain for the information to come. We do not do this with computers or paper or even the sham wow! towels.

Computers require a base code and formatting to accept programs and make them easy for use every day users. Paper must be smooth and typically dry before use. And you may not know it but those super absorbent towels need to be damp before they are fully effective.

With children we would be better off teaching them memory skills and tools for organizing data in their brains before filling their brains with data. If you fill a computer with data without installing an operating system you have no way to easily retrieve and use the data. Oddly enough our brains the original computers work in a similar manner.

So, how do we address this problem? Simple modify those wonderful adult memory courses into a curriculum for kids K-2nd grade. This is part of my plan unless someone beats me to it. In addition there are methods that are teaching kids the mechanics of reading far faster and effectively than our current methods. These reading methods would be implemented as well. This would be the beginning of a new generation of people such as the world has never seen.

My belief is that if we train the brain to remember and to play then fill the brain with information we will only see great creations and inventions. Funny thing as an example of such a learning method is Nikola Tesla arguably one the greatest thinkers and creators in history.

What are your thoughts?

Related Talks:
Topics: brain kindergarten learning
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    Andre Carter

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    Oct 6 2012: Yes I told Pat that I do agree. It's the ability to retain that creates issue with teaching skills such as critical and conceptual thinking. You still need accessible data to use the skill upon. With our current system, teaching how to use the memory, not tricks, but real skills that become unconscious action such as reading will remove the obstacle of continuous testing and preparation for testing. Freeing up valuable time for our youth to learn to think critically and conceptually.
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    Andre Carter

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    Oct 6 2012: I agree that this is a core piece of training the brain. However, many teachers and schools are starting to bring the teaching of these skills into the schools. Yet they are hindered by the testing and the inability for most children to remember what they have been taught.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Oct 6 2012: I agree with Pat that critical and conceptual thinking should be priorities rather than tricks to memorization. We have to memorize less if we understand more.

    In terms of retaining content, the keys to getting students to remember are to introduce material in a way that connects it to things the student already knows and to give students frequent practice in using the material.
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Oct 6 2012: My thoughts are that what is missing is the ability to think conceptually. Thinking this way requires the ability to study in a way that produces conceptual thinking.
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      Robert Winner 50+

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      Oct 6 2012: I agree with Pat that conceptual thinking is missing but could also add that so is synthesis and its opposite analysis: the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity ( opposed to analysis, ) the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements.

      Since we all learn diferently would your method required to re-program. Would this require different approaches for the primary, secondary and third levels of learning.

      What would the problems be for a child who comes to you already reading. His brain is developed perhaps in opposition to the requirements you have set forth ... is s/he a lost sole.

      If we are trained the same way ... then are we no better than Huxley wrote about. Will we not come to the same conclusions. Could someone ever be capable of thought "outside of the box".

      Constraining or limiting the brain in any manner IMO would be a dangerous and unproductive thing to do.

      Bob.
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