What is left or right brain all about?

A “left-brained” person is considered to be more logical, objective and analytical while a person who is “right-brained” is said to be more expressive, creative and intuitive.

The left brain is the “reasoning” brain. It controls the conscious mind, logic and reasoning abilities. It processes information systematically (one by one) but slowly and in small quantities. The right brain is the “visualisation” brain.

It controls the subconscious mind, imaging abilities and creativity. It has the powerful ability to process a massive amount of information quickly and has great memory retention ability.

What can I do to nurture and develop the right-brain?

The right side of the brain controls the visualisation ability; which also controls the photographic memory ability. It also helps a child process information quickly. Stimulating a child’s visual memory and doing fast-paced activities can help to nurture and develop the right brain.

Below are simple examples you can do together with your child.

1. Play visual memory games

Doing fun visual memory activities that involve children looking at and remembering images comprising of different shapes and colours quickly (refer to the image below), and thereafter replicating them by drawing out are good exercises for the right brain.

2. Flash Pictorial Cards Quickly

Parents can also stimulate the right brain by flashing pictorial cards quickly to children, preferably at a rate of 2 cards per second.

While children look at the cards that are being flashed quickly, their right brain gets stimulated with the speed. At the same time, as they try to remember the cards while they are being flashed, their instant memory ability is also being developed.

Different types of flashcards serve different purposes.

To stimulate the right brain and develop visual memory, it is best to use flashcards with large, colourful pictures with no words.

This is because words are processed by the left side of the brain, which is the linguistic brain. On the other hand, if we want children to learn words or languages, we can use flashcards with a combination of words and pictures.

⇒ Related Read: Heguru-inspired Activities Parents Can Do At Home

3. Play Tangram Puzzles

Playing puzzles such as Tangram and getting children to complete them quickly will also help to nurture their right brain. During the fun play, children’s cognitive abilities such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills as well as memory are being developed.

These questions were answered by Mr Kuah Eng Liang, Executive Director of Heguru Education Centre.

This was first published in The New Age Parents Enrichment and Preschool Resource Guide.

HEGURU EDUCATION CENTRE

Heguru Education Centre is a multi-award-winning enrichment school in right brain training and whole brain development for children. Originated from Japan, Heguru has more than 30 years of history and proven results. Heguru Education Centre has received prestigious awards from several local parenting magazines with raving reviews of the effective Heguru programmes and dedicated teaching team.

For more enrichment programmes and preschool tips, read our Enrichment and Preschool Resource Guide, or download it here.

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