Introduction

Eyes are the windows the soul.
Complexity of the human consciousness.
Behind the Iris is the brain.

Senses and Feelings
Relationships and Choices
The concrete and abstract thought.
Always searching for patterns.

1.3 kilograms. 16 by 14 centimeters long and wide and 10cm high.
2% of your bodyweight but uses 20% of your energy. Produces enough power to light a 55watt bulb and 100billion brain cells. Neuronal signals fire at up to 322kph like a supercharged pinball machine.
It is the fattiest organ in the body and made up of 75% water.
A newborns brain grows three times it's size in the first year.

Introducing John Joesph - The Brain Man
Author, lecturer and brain guru.
World traveller.
4000+ schools in 31 countries
Lectured to 300+ companies and spoken to 400,000+ delegates. Taught to date 190,000 students and given almost 2000 keynote speeches.

He speaks 'Kid Speak' and teaches the parts and importance of brain health and habits. How habits impact on the brain and as students how to best use and better your brain.

May 2nd Mr Joesph visited and presented to 60 of our Waratah Students, Year 7 & 8. A few 9's and 10's and a couple of support students.
Students participated in a 3 hour workshop where they dissected sheeps brains, identified differences and components and created tactile diagrams of process and function.

Students were able to ask questions, literally feel brain bits, consider consciousness, discuss ethics and understand how the brain perceives the outside world and operate within it.

Mr Josephs demonstrated how we know so much about the brain and what we still don't know. How memory works and what impact hydration, drugs and sleep have on the brain.
Neuron activity and blood flow.
The blood brain barrier.

One half of a tactile diagram on how the brain moves conscious and unconscious thoughts and disregards elements of no concern.
Perception, cognition and analysis.
Students used play dough to create metaphors of process.

So when our brains light up?
When we start to understand about our brain, its functions and limitations and just exactly what environment it needs to thrive and build upon itself then we can change what is holding it back.
This information is for students, and parents and teachers.

The Take Home Message:
Brain heath is critically important.
How we use our brains.
What we feed our brain.
When we rest our brain.
Key point - the order of the afternoon for students impact on rest and learning.
Its up there with breakfast in the morning.

REM Sleep Cycle.
1, 2 Deep Sleep - Replay last hour.
3, Replay and fold away the day.
4. Consolidating and preparing for day ahead. Subconscious Learning.

Melatonin and you.
What happens when you miss your 'go to sleep' melanin shot?
You miss your 4th REM cycle.

The device era shining light into the eyes.
Lighting up the back of the brain.
TV's, phones, playstations, PS4's and even the humble bedside lamp.

So what is needed for a good nights sleep?
How do we dream, sweet dreams and make ourselves restful enough to get that 4th REM cycle.

The obvious:
Reducing game time before sleep.
John is an advocate for computer games and the learning thats enjoyed however,
Afternoons should look like: Come home, games physical and virtual including social media then dinner.

Dinner should be social, reflective, challenging and communal. Reinforcing ethics, decision making and resilience ahead of challenges. Orating the day that was and the day that's ahead.

Following dinner is thought. Study, reading, inner discussion and contemplation. Burning the bloods glucose supply and creating ideal conditions for moving information from short term to long term memory.

REM cycles 1 and 2 are then taking, in order the Study, the conversational meal and then the games and reassessing loose ends and packing them away.
REM cycle 3 is folding up the day and finally REM cycle 4 is preparing the brain for the day ahead.

...or you could be like this. Checking emails, waiting for notifications, striving for that next level or figuring out if to swipe right or left.
We need to teach our young ones how important healthy sleep is and how to achieve it with modelling and reminding.

Questions