These Activities Can Help Left And Right Brain Development

Human anatomy and its research by scientists tell us that a human brain has two distinct sides. The left brain, known as the ‘temporal brain’, is responsible for all mental processes which require rational and logical thinking. The right brain handles the ‘emotional’ parts of the human psyche. For children to become well-balanced human beings, they require the right kind of exposure to stimulate both sides of the brain.

Child psychologist Ranjan Ghosh explains that the left brain handles reading, writing, and calculations. Due to this, it is often called the “logical side” of the brain. Ghosh observes that left brain oriented people have certain characteristics; for instance, they like structure, are very detail oriented and logical. To them memorisation comes easily, and left-brained learners tend to learn best by repetition. “You may notice that spellings and writing come easily to these children,” he explains. Students who are left brain oriented work independently, are objective oriented and have a strong sense of time. “This step-by-step sequential approach can help them learn better,” suggests Ghosh adding that such students demonstrate academic aptitude from an earlier age.

Experts point out that children who use the left brain more, learn better if exposed to the ‘auditory’ style of teaching. Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Humayun, who is also a child psychologist, says, “Children should be encouraged to take up activities in order to develop the left side of their brain.” He suggests activities like solving math problems, puzzles, writing, reading, learning a new language, playing games that require imagination, playing intelligence and strategy games, brain teasers etc.”

So, what do experts say about the right brain? According to Ghosh “Compared to the left side of the brain, the right side is more visual. As a result, it deals more with images than words.” The right brain processes information in an intuitive way and in a simultaneous manner. “Right-brained people are said to be more creative. They tend to be free thinkers who are able to see the overall plan or bigger picture.” He adds that they are intuitive, innovative and imaginative; they like to visualize things, tend to be more emotional. Individuals with these characteristics are drawn to interests and occupations where they can express themselves freely and can also help others.

So, here is what experts have suggested parents and guardians can do to enhance the Right and Left brain development among kids.

Activities To Develop Left Brain

Solve Puzzles: Engage in pictorial puzzles or advanced numerical ones like Sudoku as it improves your mental speed and boosts your memory.

Imaginative Games: Play games that require imagination, such as oral story-building or solving riddles, where analytical, thinking and cognitive senses can be sharpened

Maths Problems: Mathematics can help enhance problem-solving and deep analytical skills; it can improve systematic thinking and smoothens up the cerebral process to arrive at logical conclusions. It also promotes cautious thinking in children and helps them get used to reaching success by trial and error.

Reading: This is a skill that is beneficial for both the left and right brain development. For the left brain, reading helps in improving receptive and expressive skills among children. “When you read printed words, the mental efforts to connect the words to form whole sentences and visualize the stories as a whole—helps strengthen the neurons of the brain,” says child psychologist Nilisha Aggarwal.

Activities To Develop Right Brain

Visual Memory Game: Visual Memory plays a very important part in activating the Right brain and so games like I Spy, Memory Cup, Picture Study can help.

Reading: For the right brain, reading can help identifying with and inculcating qualities of the characters in the books read. Hence early childhood educators, academicians and even the elders in the family ask us to develop a habit of reading “good” books to young children.

Extra-Curricular Activities: Apart from emotions, the right side of the brain is also responsible for creativity in humans. So if you ever wonder 'Can my child benefit by pursuing a hobby?' The answer is yes! Encourage kids to pursue creative hobbies such as painting, singing, dancing or acting.

Social Contact: It is important to develop social skills among children as they learn the importance of working in teams. Teachers can organise activities where students can work in teams to achieve a common goal. This is essential as the child can learn to feel empathy and also value others’ emotions and sentiments.

Teachers, parents and guardians must make sure that they consider above activities to help stimulate both left and right brain growth in children, which is essential for their well-being and holistic development.