Practical Suggestions from Teaching with the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen
Enriched Environments for the Brain
Two critical ingredients in enrichment are challenge and feedback.
- Provide choices in the learning process: student’s option to select the complexity or type of a project, components, videos, partners, seating or the final format of the expected end result.
- Rotating individual and group work, drama, music, presentations, self-directed work, computers, guest speakers and travel to a new locations.
Getting the Brain’s Attention
- Use contrast to get attention
- A change of location is one of the easiest ways to get attention. Teachers or students can move to the back or side of the room or go outside.
- If appropriate, switch classrooms with another teacher for one class or a day.
- Provide a rich balance of novelty and ritual. Novelty ensures attentional bias and ritual ensures predictable structure for low stress.
- For novelty: play surprising music then students bring in something that makes music the next day. Students present learning to one another, then in small groups.
- To get attention; make a change in your voice, use props, bells, whistles (I use a train whistle) singing, music. Intersperse the novelty to ensure the higher attentional bias. (No need to become circus performers. Use only once or twice a day.)
To read more go to part 2
https://bridges2understanding.com/how-to-engage-children-in-learning-pt-2/
©2014 Cynthia Klein, Bridges 2 Understanding, has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with parents and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking and private parenting coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the Parenting on the Peninsula magazine. She works with parents of 4 – 25 year-old children. Contact Cynthia at bridges2understanding.com, cynthia@bridges2understanding,com, or 650. 679.8138 to learn more about creating the relationship you want with your children.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
