Brief Summary
Carol Brown from Equipping Minds introduces a program designed to bring hope, healing, and restoration to individuals of all ages and abilities, addressing various neurological disorders and learning challenges. The program focuses on holistic approaches, including cognitive exercises, nutrition, primitive reflex integration, auditory processing, and vision therapy. Equipping Minds aims to strengthen brain pathways by using games and activities to improve processing speed, working memory, and overall cognitive function.
- Equipping Minds uses holistic approach to address cognitive and neurological challenges.
- The program uses games and activities to improve processing speed, working memory, and overall cognitive function.
- The importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for learning and development.
Introduction: Equipping Minds and Its Purpose
Carol Brown introduces Equipping Minds, an organization dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and restoration to families, children, and adults of all ages and abilities. She shares her personal journey, which began over 35 years ago with a passion for working with children and families, leading her to work in children's homes and private schools, including a stint as a principal in Lyon, France. The journey took a personal turn when her son struggled with processing information, prompting her to leave private school administration and develop the Equipping Minds program.
Personal Story: Overcoming Language Processing Disorder
Carol Brown shares her son Clayton's struggles with language processing disorder, which was diagnosed over 24 years ago. Despite working with top therapists, Clayton faced challenges in communication and processing information. This led Carol to a pivotal decision to leave her role in private school administration to focus on connecting pathways in the brain. Clayton's journey included speech therapy from a young age, with Carol actively involved in every session to learn and understand the process.
The Equipping Minds Approach: Holistic and Research-Based
Carol Brown explains the holistic approach of Equipping Minds, which addresses cognitive areas, nutrition, and primitive reflex integration. She emphasizes the gut-brain connection and the importance of addressing primitive reflexes like the fear paralysis reflex (fight, flight, or freeze response). The program also incorporates auditory processing through sound therapy and vestibular therapy, along with vision therapy exercises. The cognitive component, developed by Carol, is central to the program.
The Cognitive Component: Games and Brain Training
Carol Brown discusses the cognitive component of Equipping Minds, which involves using games to strengthen brain function. She highlights the importance of addressing underlying causes rather than just academic struggles. The program focuses on three types of processing: language, visual, and auditory. Carol emphasizes that processing can be improved with hard work, contrary to some psychologists' beliefs.
Processing Colors: Foundational Exercises
Carol Brown starts with basic exercises to identify colors, emphasizing the importance of knowing what one is looking at before processing it. She shares examples of students misidentifying colors and how to address such issues, such as visual challenges or lack of correct labeling. She suggests modifications like starting with one color and using familiar objects to teach colors effectively.
Modifications and Teaching Techniques
Carol Brown provides teaching techniques for color identification, such as saying "the shirt is yellow" instead of "the yellow shirt" to avoid confusion. She stresses the importance of using what the student knows to train the brain and create pathways. This approach helps avoid frustration and meltdowns, especially when students struggle with vocabulary or understanding.
Sorting Colors and Enhancing Processing
Carol Brown explains how to sort colors using Uno cards, incorporating motor skills, visual scanning, and language. She suggests racing to sort cards while saying the colors aloud, which enhances processing speed. She also emphasizes the importance of helping students who finish later, fostering a collaborative environment.
Creating a Safe and Fun Learning Environment
Carol Brown underscores the importance of creating a safe and fun learning environment. She advises stopping if frustration arises and encourages parents and teachers to be mindful of their reactions. She references the work of Dr. Karen Purvis and Heather Forbes on trauma-informed approaches, emphasizing the need to see beyond behavior and help children feel safe and loved.
The Importance of Human Interaction
Carol Brown addresses the role of games, emphasizing the value of human interaction over computer games. She notes that playing with a human mediator allows for connection and a safe environment, especially beneficial for children who have experienced trauma. She clarifies that the games are used as tools with intentional modifications to meet students where they are.
Processing Numbers and Shapes
Carol Brown transitions to processing numbers and shapes, using Uno cards and blink cards. She highlights the success of Equipping Minds with adults with Parkinson's, noting improvements in their memory. She explains that processing simple information strengthens connections in the brain, even if it seems basic.
Using Blink Cards for Advanced Processing
Carol Brown uses blink cards to process numbers and shapes, sharing an anecdote about a student who saw nine sides instead of three triangles, illustrating the importance of asking questions and understanding their perspective. She emphasizes that confident answers should be explored rather than dismissed.
Sorting by Shape and Long-Term Memory
Carol Brown discusses sorting shapes and the importance of long-term memory in processing. She explains that students must have the words and information in their long-term memory to process effectively. She also notes that sorting by color requires ignoring the number and shape, further enhancing processing skills.
Conclusion and Homework
Carol Brown concludes by summarizing the activities covered and assigning homework: sorting games by number, color, and shape. She encourages viewers to visit the Equipping Minds website for research and additional resources. She promises to build on these concepts in the following weeks, taking a measured pace to avoid overwhelming participants.
