Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dr. Shimi Kang
Dr. Shimi Kang
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Finding Balance in an Imbalanced World:
Simple Lifestyle Choices that Powerfully
Impact Neuroplas)city
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simple is not easy
knowing is not doing
doing leads to being
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We Humans Are In Trouble
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“Stress is the #1
health epidemic
of the 21 century”
st
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Stress ->
Freeze Fight
Flight
-> React
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The Dolphin Way TM
What one skill
= successful life?
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Adaptability
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Different adapta)ons
“Lemons into
lemonade”
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Adaptability = Neuroplas)city
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How do we cul)vate
adaptability?
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P.O.D.
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Humans have understood the value of play
for millions of years.
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Play is linked to our highest level of
thinking and func)oning.
• Emo)onal regula)on
• Abstract thinking
• Organizing thoughts
• Relevant vs. irrelevant
• Planning for future
• Strategic thinking
Brown and Vaughan, New York: Avery, 2009, 112.
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“Play” can be two types
Convergent play:
structured, involves
rules or a “correct”
answer.
Divergent play:
unstructured, free,
about exploring
different ways of doing
things.
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Play!
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Play!
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There are various
sub-types of play
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Play via Body Movement
Playing through
movement is
linked to:
• Innova)on
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Resiliency
Na)onal Ins)tute of Play
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Play via body movement can assist in the
development of the cerebellum
Upright Doctor
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Exercise
• Physical Exercise,
the same type seen
in free play, has
been found to
increase the same
neurotransmiders
as ADHD
medica)ons.
hdp://www.additudemag.com/adhd/ar)cle/3967.html
Movement and ADHD
hdp://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/giving-kids-with-adhd-room-to-move-could-boost-test-scores-study/ar)cle24941450/
Social Play
Essen)al for the
feeling of belonging. It
includes:
• Adunement Play
• Rough and Tumble
Play
• Celebratory or
Ritual Play
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It helps children encode and decode social
signals. R. Ahern et al, The Benefits of Play Go Well Beyond Physical Fitness
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Rough and Tumble Play
Has been shown to be
necessary for the
development and
maintenance of:
• Social Awareness
• Coopera)on
• Fairness
• Altruism
Na)onal Ins)tute of Play
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Rough and Tumble Play
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Rough and tumble play as well as
celebratory or ritual play can assist in the
development of the frontal lobe.
Brain Injury Alliance
Psych Scene
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Object Play
object
manipula)on
in childhood
leads to
higher
cogni)ve
skills.
F.R. Wilson, The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture
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© MPI of Psychiatry
Key to
enhancing a
child’s capacity
for cogni)ve
flexibility and
crea)vity.
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Imagina)ve and Pretend play assists in the
development of a widespread network of neurons
called the “mental workspace”
10.1073/pnas.1311149110
Storytelling Play
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Storytelling play ac)vates areas in the brain that
we would use when actually experiencing the
events in the story.
Leo Widrich, The Science of Storytelling
10.1073/pnas.1008662107
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Nature
• Free )me in Nature
has been found to be
very beneficial for
those with ADHD:
• Increased
Concentra)on
• Symptom
Reduc)on
• Beder Cogni)ve
Func)on
• Calmness
hdps://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201306/natures-rx-green-)mes-effects-adhd
A regimen of social, boisterous play could be one way
to help children with aden)on and impulsivity.
Brown and Vaughan, Play: How It Shapes the Brain
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The Tiger, Dolphin, & Jellyfish
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Favorite Teacher
Firm Yet Flexible, Love with Limits , Warmth & Control
FORWARD: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
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www.drshimikang.com hdp://www.mindfulnessmd.com/2014/07/08/neuroscience-of-mindfulness-default-mode-network-medita)on-mindfulness/
Adapted from formebesa
Enhanced:
aden)on
crea)vity
mo)va)on
Produc)vity
problem solving
moral compass.
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Thank you!
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