Right Brain/Left Brain

I am a left brain learner most of the time.  God has gifted me with two right brain learners.  He has a sense of humor that way.  The right brain stores long term memory, pictures, music, colors and humor, option and math concepts (or the big picture) and a more unstructured approach to learning.  Those of us who are left brain thinkers are more concerned with the details, short term memory, thinking, logic, structure, language and short term memory.

I’ve learned as of late there are also auditory and visual processing glitches.  So I’m thinking….”Ah great, add that to the soup I’m making and I’m getting a little unsure of the recipe.”

I’ve done a lot of reading lately in Diane Craft’s Brain Integration Therapy Manual.  It’s intense but makes a lot of sense.  I think the feeling of intensity is only because I feel overwhelmed with the daunting task set before me.  Teach two right brain thinkers to “do school.”  Lovely.

I remind myself daily that God has given me only what He knows I can handle.  He has given me my right brain thinkers for a reason.  That lovely iron sharpening iron thing that is so pleasant to think about.

I thought I would list some common characteristics from Dianne Craft’s book.

Common Characteristics of a Left Brain Learner:

• Tends to seek structure in his or her day
• Memorizes best by repetition (auditory or writing)
• Likes to know the plan for each day, week, etc.
• Tends to work well independently.
• Likes to make lists and check them off as tasks are completed.
• Thinks things through with multiple pieces of evidence before coming to a conclusion.
• Tends to find math interesting ans is very good at it.
• Likes the predictability and conciseness of workbooks.
• Can do well with self-paced and computer curriculum.

Common Characteristics of a Right Brain Learner

• Likes spontaneous events, versus planned events each day.  Seeks change
• Memorizes best by using meaning, color, pictures, story, and/or emotion in material
• Does not plan ahead regularly.
• Prefers much involvement with parent while doing school lessons.
• Does not do items sequentially, but skips around in his or her work.
• Makes quantum leaps when learning.  Figures things out from scanty evidence.
• Finds math quite repetitive and somewhat boring.
• Prefers projects and discussions rather than workbook learning.
• Does not do well with self-paced or computer curriculum, but rather one that requires more parent and teacher involvement, such as unit studies, or any curriculum that is more hands-on and interactive with the adult.

Of course we can usually see ourselves in both category but we often tend towards one.  Which are you?

If you want more information a good site is http://www.diannecraft.org/

Anything anyone else has to offer out there would be much appreciated!!  Blessings…..