| The idea of right brain and left brain thinking is a | | | | choose watching television or Xbox over more |
| theory based on research from an American | | | | beneficial activities. If the TV is off and mom says, |
| psychobiologist Roger W. Sperry, in the 1960s. Dr. | | | | "no Xbox today," they will be forced to look for |
| Sperry discovered that the two halves of the human | | | | other things to do (this is the time to break out the |
| brain process information in very different ways. | | | | art supplies). |
| The right side of the brain is very visual and intuitive. | | | | 3. Expose your child to beautiful artwork, starting at |
| Right-brain thinkers tend to see the "big picture" | | | | an early age. Postcard-sized art prints are available in |
| more easily and therefore are very visual and | | | | booklets featuring a specific artist at Dover |
| processes information in intuitive and conceptual | | | | Publications and can be looked at and handled by |
| ways. That is why so many right brain dominants are | | | | small children. Books such as DK Annotated Guides, |
| great artists. | | | | Great Artist by Robert Cummings (ISBN |
| The left side of the brain is our verbal, logical and | | | | 0-7894-2391-X), are great books to look at with your |
| analytical side. Our left brain processes are important | | | | children and keep on the coffee table for them to |
| for organizing and sequencing information. That is | | | | browse through. |
| why many right brain thinkers (I have two in my | | | | 4. Keep a well-stocked arts/craft cupboard. |
| family) have a more difficult time with traditional | | | | Important "staples" are watercolor paints, tempera |
| workbooks, math and tests. | | | | paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, |
| Of course both sides of the brain work together in a | | | | clay, paintbrushes in many different sizes, many |
| very complex way we don't fully understand. | | | | different types of paper such as plain white for |
| Encouraging right-brain thinking in your child is simple | | | | sketching, construction paper, large heavier paper for |
| and will enrich their lives in many ways as the grow | | | | painting. Of course this is only the beginning. Now, |
| and develop. It can help your child learn how to draw | | | | allow your child to create, every day if he wishes! |
| better, be more imaginative and even play a musical | | | | 5. Be more choosy about toys you provide. Instead |
| instrument well. | | | | of buying toys that don't involve the child's |
| Five simple ways to encourage the right brain | | | | imagination or creative skills (electronic toys, video |
| | | | games), choose toys like Legos, Tinkertoys, dress-up |
| 1. Throw out the coloring books. Provide your child | | | | clothes (I provide a large tub of second-hand play |
| with an unlimited supply of paper, pencils and crayons. | | | | dresses, shoes, capes, etc.), puppets, etcetera. |
| This encourages your child to create his own shape | | | | All of these ideas are easy to implement and quite |
| and style and "draw outside of the lines." | | | | often are just a matter of changing habits and |
| 2. Turn off the television and limit the computer and | | | | routines. Who knows, your child may be the next |
| video games. Too much television and "electronic | | | | Monet in the making! |
| entertainment" is a creativity killer. Many children will | | | | |