Emotions and learning: Parenting for academic success

Concerned parents frequently ask how they can helpsuccess in learning. When learners are interested in a
their children become smarter, more successfulsubject, they are more attentive and try harder.
learners. The surprising news is that research in theFurthermore, students who are inspired to learn for
area of human emotions provides a blueprint for thetheir own reasons have the full support of the brain's
kinds of parenting techniques that increase children'schemical system.
intelligence!We now have scientific evidence to back up our
Because of the way the brain is wired, emotionalintuition that helping children believe in their own
states run our lives, whether we like it or not. Emotionalintelligence, talents, and abilities will help them excel
states are constantly in flux, and are easily influenced.academically! As thoughtful parents, we have always
known this. Students who believe they can perform
Learning occurs when brains grow new cells inwell on academic tasks outperform students who do
response to the environment. Emotions such asnot believe in their own abilities. When children believe
pleasure and joy encourage brain cell development.they can learn, they study more, and their study
When children are happy and level-headed, they learnefforts are more skillful and effective.
and remember more.Kindling interest and passion is much more beneficial to
Unfortunately, stress hinders brain cell creation.your child than pointing out ways in which performance
Circumstances that your child finds unpleasant, fearful,is lacking. When children repeatedly view their behavior
and out of his control produce a stress state in theas flawed, their future success is diminished. Alluding to
body. Chronic stress reactions release chemicals thatfailures sours inspiration, blocks the release of
impair memory, reduce blood flow to the brain'sdopamine, and decreases the opportunity for your child
behavioral control centers, and cause atrophy of theto be brilliant.
brain's nerve cells.Parenting for academic success also means that we
Interestingly, certain brain chemicals such as dopaminesupport our children when we encourage them to
stimulate intelligent behavior. Your child's brain releasesbelieve that they can have interesting, fulfilling futures.
dopamine in response to pleasurable circumstances.Students who know that success is "in their sights"
The brain doles out dopamine in response to concretemake wise choices. They gravitate more toward
rewards such as ice cream. But even moreintellectual activities than do students who doubt their
importantly, the brain releases dopamine in response toopportunities. Talk with your child about future goals.
intangible things such as security, recognition, successExplore possibilities. Kindle passion and purpose.
and passion.Demonstrate your faith in success. Never be
Dopamine travels to the front of the brain where itdiscouraging about your child's chances of victory!
influences skills essential for learning. The frontal lobesFor more information:
of your child's brain are largely in charge of critical skillsResearch about the interplay of emotion and
such as paying attention, recognizing and discriminatingintelligence.  Dweck, C. S. (1999). Self-Theories: Their
critical features, and decision making, all of which areRole in Motivation, Personality, and Development.
essential for intelligent behavior and school success.Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis, April 1999.
Parents can use the tendency of the brain to respondFor a review of Dr.
to pleasure by helping their child to find joy and