Our Brains Can Change
Neuroscientists used to think that past a certain point of childhood our brains were fully developed and would no longer change. However, the evidence shows that this is not the case, our brain has plasticity (the ability of our brain to change and remodel itself).
Our brain is like a muscle, there are millions of pathways and connections which undergo a process of strengthening and ‘pruning’ . ‘Use it or Lose it’ refers to a process whereby, the more we use certain pathways the stronger they get, whereas if we don’t use certain pathways they get weaker. This supports the action of practicing or repeating a task over and over as it strengthens that pathway.
Neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) is important because neurons act as transmitters in our brain, they send and receive information which can help strengthen and develop our pathways which in turn contributes to developing learning.
Although much of the research around neuroplasticity and neurogenesis comes from rehabilitation after a stroke, the results are striking and it is widely accepted that the same mechanisms can be applied to learning new skills throughout adult life.
Dweck’s research has shown that teaching people the science underlying their potential to change academically and socially can be helpful in supporting them to move towards a growth mindset.
You might want to make notes at this point. These may help you remember things, work out what you want or see how much you’ve changed if you read them again in a few years’ time.