November 29, 2023
By Samantha Beaton, School manager Sr. Regina School
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, a holistic approach to learning involves not only teachers and students but also parents. Recognizing the pivotal role of parental involvement, our school tries to educate parents on all aspects of learning and upbringing in small settings.
This academic year we have embarked on a journey to educate them about the executive functions of our brains.
Recently, we have invited parents to present and guide them in understanding the Executive functions of our brains and the crucial role they play in shaping their child’s educational journey.
At the core of this initiative is the understanding of executive functions, the brain’s command center for regulating tasks and behaviors. These functions, including sustained attention, flexibility, purposeful perseverance, and emotion regulation, are fundamental in guiding a child’s behavior and ultimately influencing their success in school.
I strongly believe that people benefit from these sessions and ensure that school, child and parents are on the same wavelength in the upbringing of the child. By learning for instance that “sustained attention refers to the ability to maintain focus and concentration on a particular task or stimulus over an extended period of time. That it involves staying engaged and resisting distractions to ensure continued cognitive processing and performance. That this cognitive function is crucial for tasks that require prolonged concentration, such as reading, studying, or completing work assignments”.
Since last school year we have introduced our young learners to the Brain Heroes, Effi and Furon. We aim to make the complex world of executive functions more accessible. These heroic figures guide students in strengthening their “Brain Powers,” empowering them with skills such as sustaining attention, delaying responses, and adapting to changes. By instilling these abilities, we foster the development of executive functions crucial for academic and personal success.
Our schools’ commitment to a comprehensive learning experience extends beyond the classroom. The Care Team actively involves parents in understanding and implementing learning strategies that promote self-regulation and social-emotional learning. This collaborative approach recognizes parents as essential partners in shaping the educational journey of their children.
Tailored for groups 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8, the Brain Heroes Education Program provides a structured framework for strengthening executive functions. Whether your child is already acquainted with Brain Heroes or not, the program accommodates varying levels of familiarity. By implementing this program across the entire school, we ensure a consistent and unified approach to nurturing and enhancing executive functions.
We will continue to invite parents to join us on this exciting journey of understanding and fostering executive functions in our young learners. By working hand-in-hand with us as educators, parents become invaluable contributors to the academic success and holistic development of their children. Together, we lay the foundation for a future where each child can thrive academically and emotionally.