Workshop to help parents understand kids better

Shreya Bhandary | TNN

Mumbai: “A child’s brain functions better when given a chance to question,’’ said Dr Stephen Rushton, reclusive brain expert from the University of Florida, who along with his wife Anne, is in Mumbai to conduct a two-day workshop to help parents and educators understand brain development in children.

The workshop, which will be conducted over this weekend, will shed light on Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), a lesser-known term in India that is fast getting recognition in the US.

“The architecture of our brain is very complicated, but it has the tendency to allow experiences we have to shape itself in response to the environment,’’ said Rushton. After studying the importance of various parts of the brain, he started writing books along with his wife to educate people on how it functions. “Every time we pressurise our children to do something, we tend to send negative signals to their brains, leading to stress. Our aim is to teach parents and teachers how they can use our approach to enhance their child’s psychology,’’ he added.

“Mostly, students are talked to, and not heard in class. If we give them a chance to participate in conversations by asking questions, their brains are stimulated.’’

On day one of the workshop, the speakers will interact with principals and teachers from schools around the city. On the second day, there will be a three-hour interactive session with parents. “We want them to leave the workshop with a sigh of relief and go home with new methods of bringing up their kids,’’ said Rushton.