notes/docs/parenting/the-whole-brain-child.md

The Whole Brain Child

Chaos - Integration - Rigidity

Using both sides of the brain

1. "Connect & Redirect": Respond to emotional reactions in an emotive way (right brain to right brain)., then switch to a logical solution once the child is calm.
2. "Name it to tame it": Recount a painful experience in a way that addresses the emotions that the child felt and shows that there is something to be learned from the experience.

Developing and integrating the upstairs brain

3. "Engage, don't enrage": Appeal to the upstairs brain: respond to meltdowns and tantrums by prompting the child to use their upstairs brain.

4. "Use it or lose it": Exercise decision making & don't rescue children from the consequences of minor bad decisions. Teach children how to make good decisions when upset. Prompt children to practice self-understanding. Prompt children to practice empathy and seek to understand other people. Challenge children with questions of morality.

5. "Move it or lose it": Use physical exertion to calm anger or fear.

Integrating implicit and explicit memories.

6. Replay memories. Re-tell stories of traumatic events to reason about what happened and understand why those events caused feelings of fear, anger etc.

7. "Remember to remember": Prompt children to recall their experiences e.g. by asking them to recall select details. Make a game of it.