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Learn About the Online Brain Talk Curriculum

Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

· 2 min read

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Encourage Stronger Executive Functioning & Emotional-Regulation Skills from the Comfort of Your Home

Now, more than ever, students need knowledge, tools and activities to manage the dysregulation that has come along with sudden schedule and social changes. In light of the Safer at Home order, you might be finding yourself at a loss for how to manage big feelings of worry, or struggling to help your children make sense of their emotions and reactions. To help, we are excited to partner with The Brain Talk Curriculum to give parents, teachers and therapists a wonderful resource to teach how the downstairs brain and upstairs brain communicate for stronger executive functioning* and emotional-regulation skills**.

In an effort to support our community, Brain Talk is offering a 50% discount now through April 3rd, 2020!

Use code: EF@HOME at checkout: https://www.braintalktherapy.com/subscribe.

WHAT IS THE BRAIN TALK CURRICULUM?

Brain Talk is an eight-unit curriculum that personifies key parts of the brain into relatable characters and explains how these parts of the brain communicate in order to mindfully respond instead of impulsively react. Explore videos and leveled activities to help students understand the conversation between their downstairs and upstairs brains when they feel impulses.

  • Myg, or the amygdala, is the part of the brain that triggers avoid impulses. If the brain senses some kind of threat, even if it comes from being told, “No more ice cream!” it gives you a Myg Moment to fight, flee, or freeze.

  • Buster, or the basal pleasure-and-reward circuit, is the part of the brain that triggers seek impulses. If the brain senses an opportunity, even if the perceived opportunity breaks the rules, it gives you a Buster Bam to grab-and-gulp the immediate reward.

  • Ms. Hipp, or the hippocampus, is the brain’s personal memory librarian. It keeps track of past experiences to help determine how we should act in the future.

  • The Professor, or the prefrontal cortex, is the brain’s goal-setter and plan-maker. It helps us pause impulses, come up with options for how to respond, and choose the best option in order to reach our goals.

Brain Talk pairs perfectly with mindfulness activities and social-emotional learning programs. It is a great resource for virtual or home-based learning, especially since it doesn’t require any prior brain background knowledge.


 *Executive functioning is the use of critical thinking skills in the upstairs brain to engage in goal oriented, self-regulated behavior.

**Emotional-regulation involves awareness of your emotional state and the ability to respond mindfully even in the midst of big feelings.

Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

Written by

Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

Tina Payne Bryson, PhD is the founder of The Center for Connection, a New York Times bestselling author, and a leading expert in child development and parenting.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Brain Talk Curriculum

What is the Brain Talk curriculum?

Brain Talk is an online program designed to help children build executive functioning and emotional regulation skills. It uses brain science to teach kids how their minds work and gives them practical tools to manage big feelings and stay focused.

What age group is Brain Talk designed for?

The curriculum is designed for school-age children, typically between ages 6 and 12. The activities are interactive and can be done at home with a parent or caregiver.

How can Brain Talk help during times of disruption?

When routines are disrupted, children can struggle with big emotions and difficulty focusing. Brain Talk gives them language to understand what is happening in their brain and body, along with strategies they can use on their own or with your support.

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