Environment, Neurochemicals, and Behavior

Rebekah Calala
EDU 417: Cognitive Studies Capstone
Dr. Joanna Savarese
09/14/2015

Pieces of the Brain Puzzle

Exercise
Sleep
Nutrition
Technology
Neurotransmitters
Putting it together

Exercise, the Brain, and Learning

-- Improves executive function
-- Improves cognition
-- Improves neuronal stimulation and growth
--Improves grades
-- Improves academic achievement
-- Improves behavior
(Davis, Tomporowski, McDowell, Austin, Miller, Yanasak, & Naglieri,
2011)

Any Exercise is Beneficial

In school

At Home
Playing in the yard
Interactive video games

Recess
Dancing, jumping, hide
During lessons
PE class

and seek
Play acting

Organized sports
(8 Ways to Keep Your Kids Active Indoors,

Sleep and the Brain

Rejuvenates the
systems

Helps with

consolidation
When the

hippocampus and the

neocortex
communicate most
Problem

solving/practicing
(Wolfe, 2010)

All sleep is beneficial

(Wolfe, 2010)

The Impact of Nutrition

The brain needs

proper fuel for

development and
function
Promotes higher

academic achievement
Promotes attendance

and attention
Ensures enough

amino acids are

present in the body
(Wolfe, 2010)

Technology Can Help or Hinder

Help

Promotes individualized

instruction
Keeps learning fun and
interactive
Opens up avenues of
research and knowledge

Hinder
Too much, too young
Can be distracting
So much information can

be overwhelming
(Wolfe, 2010)

Neurotransmitters

(Wolfe, 2010)

Putting It All Together

Exercise of any kind helps improve the ways that the

brain function
Proper amounts of sleep are key to building long
term memories and being ready to attend to new
information
Proper diet fuels the brain and helps build critical
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are important for many functions,
regulating sleep, mood, appetite, movement, the
formation of meaningful memories, and learning.
Technology, when monitored and appropriate can
take learning to the next level

Refernces
8 Ways to Keep Your Kids Active Indoors. (n.d.). Retrieved September 11, 2015,
from http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/8-ways-to-keep-your-kids-active-//
indoors/
Clikeman, M (n.d.) Research in brain function and learning: The importance of
matching instruction to a childs maturity level American Psychological
Association. Retrieved from http://apa/org/education/k12/brain-function.aspx
Davis, C. L., Tomporowski, P. D., McDowell, J. E., Austin, B. P., Miller, P. H.,
Yanasak, N. E., & ... Naglieri, J. A. (2011). Exercise improves executive
function and achievement
and alters brain activation in
overweight
children: A randomized, controlled trial. Health
Psychology, 30(1), 91-98.
doi:10.1037/a0021766
Fischer , K. W., Immordino-Yang, M. H., (2008). The Jossey-Bass reader on the
brain and learning. (1st ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Willis, J., & Mitchell, G. (2014). The neuroscience of learning: Principles and
applications for educators. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.
Wolfe, P. (2010). Brain matters: Translating research into classroom practice.
(2nd ed.). Alexandria,VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum
Development.