Cognitive Skills like attention and memory are the foundation for learning. Each mind develops uniquely, with some cognitive skills that are stronger than others. Our cognitive strengths and weaknesses impact our success in school, the workplace and in life.
Learning capacity is not fixed. It can be developed.
Understanding your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how those strengths and weaknesses relate to academic and social performance is something you won’t typically be able to find out from your child’s school. For the most part, schools focus on what your child is learning not how they learn.
Strengthening the cognitive skills that are weaker for your child and nurturing those that are already strong can help them approach learning experiences with confidence, bounce back from frustrations, and acquire the knowledge and skills to succeed in school and life.
Many parents don’t realize that cognitive skills can be strengthened. They also don’t realize that cognitive skills play a vital role not only in academic performance but in everyday behaviors and social skills. When children have an opportunity to build their cognitive capacity, they approach learning challenges with greater self-confidence. Poor social skills improve. Self-esteem increases. Anxiety and stress diminish.
When parents ask how to build confidence in their child, the answer is not just about giving a child the opportunity to achieve success, although that is a part of it. What builds true self-confidence is overcoming challenges, taking on difficult tasks and accomplishing them, knowing that they have the skills to tackle the tasks they face. Because cognitive skills are the foundation for how our brains learn, process and apply what we know, they have an impact on all of a child’s behaviors, from school, to interacting with peers and adults, to planning for their future.
The cognitive demands of higher education or a career continue to increase. Strengthening cognitive skills in adulthood may be somewhat harder than when we’re younger, but it can still be effective and lead to better performance.
It is also true that, at some point, just about everyone will experience some degree of decline in cognitive skills. Keeping our brains healthy and active can lessen the impact. The research in the field suggests that physical exercise, social interaction and challenging mental activities, including cognitive training, can help us maintain or even improve our cognitive functioning at just about any age.
Cognitive training is a little like physical training. It is most effective when done with the right frequency and intensity, over an appropriate time span, when it gets more challenging at just the right pace, and when it is highly engaging. It is like physical training or therapy in that the right coach can help you achieve the best results.
Individual needs vary. When it comes to cognitive training solutions for children or adults at home, we always start with a 45-minute phone consultation. In this call, we will work with you to clarify your specific situation and whether and how we can help.
If you are curious but not quite ready to hop on the phone with us, you may want to check out our presentation on:
Once a child’s cognitive skills have been strengthened, their learning starts to accelerate and they are able to catch up and engage in academic work that they find engaging and that nurtures their special strengths. To foster continued growth and to help students internalize their expanded cognitive capabilities, many clients follow their cognitive training with a personalized Growth Mindset program. While each child’s program is unique, the Growth Mindset program typically includes:
Parents often have questions about topics that may affect their children’s learning in school and performance in various aspects of everyday life. Each of the links below will take you to information on the topic, the role of cognitive skills, and how assessment and/or cognitive training may be a benefit.
BrainWare Learning Company offers programs and tools that further the application of sound neuroscience research to learning and teaching.
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