Imagine a beautiful garden, brimming with vibrant colors, invigorating scents, and peaceful sounds. A place where clarity and motivation prosper, and anything is possible. This is the Brain P.O.W.E.R. garden: a space where children can grow and thrive!
The Brain P.O.W.E.R. Garden reminds us about the essentials of a healthy childhood!
We use the Brain P.O.W.E.R. garden analogy to highlight critical elements of healthy child development that must be protected, and must not be displaced. Children today may be growing up in a tech-saturated world, but these young, developing human beings STILL NEED the same analog activities that children have always needed to grow and thrive. The world changes, and technologies change rapidly. But healthy child development does not change. Decades of research have shown us what children really need. The Let’s Grow Brain P.O.W.E.R. garden simply serves as a reminder to keep healthy development at the center of our choices for children.
Let’s take a look around the Brain P.O.W.E.R. garden!
SOIL
The SOIL is the foundation of a garden that provides a strong base for health and growth.
In childhood, the foundation is NUTRITION, SLEEP, and LOVE from parents and caregivers.
FLOWERS
In a garden, flowers grow out of this rich soil.
Flowers represent our CHILDREN: growing, blooming and thriving!
SUN
The sun’s rays shine down on the flowers to help boost their growth and health.
In childhood, the P.O.W.E.R. ACTIVITIES - Play, Outside time, Work or chores, Engaging with others, and Reading - are like the sun. They foster growth!
CLOUDS
Clouds sometimes block the sun’s rays. This is not a concern as long as the flowers still get plenty of sunshine. But if the sun is covered too often, the flowers won't grow to their full potential.
In childhood, SCREEN TIME and TECH TIME are like the clouds. They can crowd out essential activities, and this can affect children's healthy development. We need to ensure that a child's time is filled with plenty of P.O.W.E.R. activities.
BEES
Bees are very important in a garden because they pollinate plants. But it can be painful when bees sting!
The bees represent DIFFICULT EMOTIONS like boredom, frustration, or disappointment. These emotions might "sting", but kids need to learn how to move through the discomfort to build resilience. Each time a child navigates a difficult emotion, they practice and improve skills that will help them in the future. Learning to navigate difficult emotions is an essential life skill!
GARDEN PATHWAYS
Garden pathways connect all parts of a garden. The first time someone walks through an untouched garden, they make a pathway. At first, that pathway may be thin and uneven. If the person walks on that pathway over and over again, the pathway becomes smoother, sturdier, and more defined.
Brains have pathways, too! The first time a child tries a new activity or skill, it may be difficult. This is because the associated brain pathways are thin and weak. If a child practices the activity over and over again, their skills improve! In the brain, this process is called myelination.
When a new and faint brain pathway gets used over and over, the brain coats that pathway in a fatty white substance called myelin. It makes the brain pathway stronger and thicker, and then signals pass along the pathway more easily. And the child improves at the activity!
Myelin IS white matter in the brain. So, trying new activities and practicing new skills actually GROWS white matter in the brain!
Screen Time Thins Young Brains
Research shows that excessive screen time can THIN some areas of white matter in children’s brains. YIKES! Children’s brains should NOT be THINNING, they should be GROWING!
P.O.W.E.R. activities are simple, research-supported ways to help kids grow the skills they will need for a healthy and thriving future! As they build and practice these helpful skills, they are GROWING WHITE MATTER in the brain!
More P.O.W.E.R. Time = Less Screen Time!
If we fill kids’ time with P.O.W.E.R. activities, there will be less time left over for screens and tech. Screen time will be LOW, if we focus on what helps the brain to GROW! So…
Let’s Grow Brain P.O.W.E.R.!
If you’d like to bring the Let’s Grow Brain P.O.W.E.R. garden analogy to the parents, kids, or staff in your organization or community, book an introductory call with us. We offer family engagement events and presentations, or we can train you to host these events using our resources!
