Brain Works Naturally

10/25/2025

Finland’s education system is a remarkable example of quality over quantity. Children attend school for only 4–5 hours per day, enjoy less homework, and have ample playtime, yet consistently rank at the top globally in learning outcomes.
The key lies in highly trained teachers, personalized learning, and emphasis on well-being. Shorter school days reduce stress, foster curiosity, and allow students to develop social and emotional skills alongside academics. Finland proves that effective learning doesn’t require long hours — it requires thoughtful pedagogy and nurturing environments.
This approach challenges traditional education norms worldwide, showing that student-centered learning and balance can produce both happiness and academic excellence.

10/18/2025

10/04/2025

09/25/2025

Typing on a keyboard might be quick and convenient, but it barely activates your brain. Handwriting, on the other hand, floods your mind with activity, creating stronger neural connections that help lock in information. The simple act of writing by hand engages multiple areas of the brain, including those responsible for thinking, memory, and motor control. This makes it one of the most effective ways to truly internalize what you are writing.

When you write by hand, your brain processes each letter, word, and sentence more deeply than it does when you type. The movement of your hand, the formation of letters, and the rhythm of writing all send signals to your brain, strengthening the neural pathways associated with learning and memory. This is why students who take notes by hand often retain more information and understand concepts more thoroughly than those who type their notes.

Handwriting is also a powerful tool for goal setting. When you write your goals down, you are not just recording them—you are planting them in your mind. The physical act of putting pen to paper helps your brain recognize these goals as important, increases focus, and enhances motivation to act on them. The repetition and tactile engagement involved in handwriting create a mental map that makes your objectives easier to recall and harder to ignore.

To make this practice even more effective, try writing your goals in a dedicated notebook each morning. Visualize what achieving each goal would feel like as you write it. Add details, timelines, and action steps to make your intentions concrete. By consistently handwriting your goals, you are training your brain to prioritize them, making it more likely that your subconscious will drive you toward success.

In a world dominated by screens and keyboards, returning to the simple act of writing by hand can have extraordinary effects. It is not just a nostalgic practice but a scientifically supported strategy to strengthen your brain, improve memory, and turn your ambitions into reality.

08/21/2025

Science shows that resilience is not just mindset it’s biology. Researchers have identified a “comeback circuit” in the brain, involving the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the salience network, which governs how effectively we recover from setbacks. Through neuroplasticity, stress and challenges trigger the creation and reinforcement of neural pathways. Each time we bounce back, the brain rewires itself to regulate emotions, adapt, and regain balance more efficiently. The vmPFC manages decision-making and emotional control under stress, while the salience network filters and prioritizes crucial signals during high-pressure moments. With each successful recovery, this circuit grows stronger much like building mental muscle memory. The takeaway? Resilience is a trainable skill; every setback makes your brain faster and more capable at future comebacks.

📄 Source: StatPearls, Neuroplasticity (Puderbaugh & Emmady, 2023)

08/17/2025

ICD Page Followers! Great opportunity for parents in the community who are looking for skill-building guidance for their child ages 12-47 months - see their flyer below for more information.

Submit your interest here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RX3ZLLP

*This is not an ICD event. This post is not an endorsement of any specific product or service and is provided for informational purposes only. This event is, however, associated with NYSRCASD, which our own BRCASD is a part of, and is the statewide initiative to share evidence-based practices to those in our state who would benefit most.