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Counseling Interventions to Teach About the Brain

Updated: Jan 21


Counseling Interventions to teach about the brain and its functioning


There are some amazing resources available to help children understand the brain and how it works. This is a round-up of some of the best I have found. Some are free, interactive ideas and some are inexpensive resources for purchase. I'm also including some of my favorite videos I have found on YouTube.



Your brain and the stress response has activities, handouts, posters, videos, and task cards to help kids learn about the brain.

The Brain and the Stress Response

by WholeHearted School Counseling

This is at the top of the list because it has so many features. It comes with informative videos, activities, and posters to help children learn about their brain and how it responds to stress. The graphics are engaging and it is a well-rounded source to help educate kids about how their brains work.


Parts of the Brain activities for kids with brain mold for playdough models, worksheets, and information.

Parts of the Brain Activities for Kids

by Beth Gordon

This was designed to be a homeschool activity but has great material to use with kids in counseling sessions. It includes free printable worksheets. I am loving the brain mold. They used it with playdough to create the parts of the brain, but the mold was created as a Jello mold. Now that could be interesting! It reminds me of the green Jello from Better Off Dead. LOL!


Educational infographic about the brain and its various systems

Brain Infographics

by Integrated Learning Strategies

This is a helpful infographic for information at a glance. It could also be informative for parents. The website offers cross-body movement exercises and information about how these exercises are helpful to kids.


Brain model made from play dough

Playdough Model of the Brain

by Science Sparks

This article shows how to create a brain model from playdough and what each part of the brain does. This could be a hands-on activity to allow kids to learn in a kinetic way.

**Don't miss my post about creative ways to use playdough in therapy. It includes recipes, ways to make kits, playdough mats, and storage ideas.


The Brain House - Upstairs and Downstairs brain, characters, and script

The Brain House - Upstairs / Downstairs Brain

by Karen Young

This one uses a drawing of a head with Lego figures to show the difference between the "upstairs" brain and the "downstairs" brain. This is worth the time to read. It provides roles for the different characters in the brain and defines their purpose. It normalizes "flipping your lid" and gives context for the reason it happens.


The biochemical reactions in the brain are difficult for most adults to understand. This article makes it practical and translates it into language that children can comprehend and respond to. It provides a mental picture of what is happening so they can recognize what they need to do to calm down when they become frazzled.



Printable pattern to make a brain hat with labels

Printable Brain Hat

by Homeschool Activities

This free printable PDF is awesome! This activity will allow you to work with the child to cut and tape together the brain hat, which in itself can be a therapeutic activity of cooperation, communication, and connection. As you go, you can educate the child on the different parts of the brain and their functions. I give this one an A++. (Extra + because it's free!!)


How anger affects your brain and body

How Anger Affects the Brain

by NICABM

Here is another infographic for the brain, specifically how anger affects the brain.

 

Related Post: Creative Ways to Use Dinosaurs in Play Therapy

 

Videos

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain Read Aloud


Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain

Dr. Dan Siegel has presents the hande model of the brain to help children and parents understand how the brain reacts to trigger. They will learn the need to use coping mechanisms to calm down and allow the signal to reach the prefrontal cortex so they can think through a problem and respond appropriately rather than getting stuck in the fight or flight mode or anger outbursts.

Speaking of Dr. Siegel, this image makes my brain happy! Here's the original source link.


Three Parts of Your Brain by Dr. Russ Harris


The information in this video is similar to what Dr. Siegel explains, but the graphics make it easy to keep kids engaged. The terminology is a little bit different, but the animals can help children remember the information better.


How Your Brain Works:

This is a well made video with graphics to help kids understand what happens in their brains.


Fight Flight Freeze – A Guide to Anxiety for Kids

This is my go to video for helping children understand the fight, flight, or freeze response. It is created for kids with anxiety, but definitely applies to those with anger as well. I love how it helps kids realize that everyone has the fight, flight, or freeze response. The goal is to learn how to manage it. This is perfect for normalizing feelings.


I have found in my practice that educating kids in a fun, playful way is the key to success. The more they understand their bodies the better equipped they are to manage them. It helps them feel empowered to overcome challenges rather than allowing their bodies rule them.


Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay

 

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