How neuroscience Informs education - What does a brain-based curriculum actually look like?

Brain imaging technologies have greatly informed us in the last 30 years about how the brain works, and which pedagogy and practises work best with children.

While much attention is given to executive functions and dispositions, a lot of the information is also highlighting for us that many of the practise that we've had for the last 100 years are effective. One of the most obvious is play. Play seems to activate the executive functions that we associate with higher intelligence in a way that no other pedagogy seems to.

With the increased use of technology and students directing their own learning, how does the brain science inform us about how to make this work best in a classroom? What does a brain-based curriculum actually look like?

Nathan Wallis

Nathan Wallis is a grandfather of three, father of three and foster father to many more. His professional background includes early childhood and primary school teacher, child therapist, university lecturer and leading a national team of neuroscience educators.

Internationally acclaimed, Nathan is in high demand throughout New Zealand, Australia and globally.

He is the host of the TV Series, “Kids Don’t Come With A Manual”, host of the documentary “All in the Mind”, and co-host of the TV series “The Secret life of Girls”. Nathan appears as a regular on National Radio and TV as a expert on human development including neuroscience, parenting, Maori perspectives, teaching and understanding the wholistic development of young people.

Inspirational and charismatic, Nathan’s ability to translate neuroscience into everyday life engages all audiences. Nathan affiliates with the tribal group Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa.