How Brain Training Exercises Improve Cognitive Function
Brain training, or cognitive training, refers to various exercises and activities designed to improve cognitive abilities. These activities typically involve problem-solving, memory training, and other mental tasks that challenge the brain to work harder and more efficiently. By engaging in brain training activities, your child can practice and refine their cognitive skills, reinforcing the neural connections that underpin them and improving cognitive performance.
Here are some of the most commonly-targeted domains and examples of brain training exercises:
- Memory: Memory training exercises often involve tasks requiring your child to recall information or patterns, such as memorizing words or playing memory-matching games.
- Attention: Attention-focused exercises require sustained focus or concentration, such as tracking moving objects or detecting specific colors or shapes.
- Processing speed: Exercises targeting processing speed involve rapid decision-making or timed tasks, pushing one to process information quickly and efficiently. For example, timed math problems or rapid symbol recognition tasks can be used to improve processing speed.
- Executive functions: Brain training exercises for executive functions involve tasks like solving puzzles or planning and managing tasks effectively. These exercises can improve your child’s ability to set goals, stay organized, think flexibly, and remember information while multitasking.
6 Common Obstacles to Successful Brain Training
As effective as brain training is, it can be challenging to unlock its full potential. Here are some of the most common roadblocks to successful brain training.
Being Too Busy
The fast-paced nature of modern life means that finding time to prioritize brain health and cognitive function can be challenging. Juggling work, family, and personal commitments can leave many families feeling overwhelmed and unable to fit a memory training regimen into their daily routines. It’s essential that you identify time slots during the day when your child can dedicate an uninterrupted period to brain exercises.
Difficulty Establishing a Consistent Routine
Executive functions, including working memory, mental flexibility, and sustained attention, require regular maintenance to improve. However, for many children, especially those with ADHD, it can be challenging to stick to a consistent routine. This intermittent approach to brain training can actually diminish its effectiveness, making it challenging to see consistent progress. Try to enmesh brain training with your child’s existing daily routine to combat this. For example, dedicate a few minutes after dinner each night to focus on specific tasks like memory games or puzzles.
Impatience for Quick Results
In our modern world, we typically value instant gratification and expect rapid progress. However, boosting executive functions through brain training exercises takes time and requires persistence. One way to combat this challenge is to set realistic expectations with your child and recognize that cognitive health improvement is gradual. Keep in mind that it’s about progress, not perfection.
Pushing Past Mental Fatigue
Children often perceive mental fatigue as a sign that their brain training efforts are not working, which can often cause them to want to abandon their training program. However, fatigue often indicates that the brain is adapting, growing, and flexing its developmental muscles. Because of this, it’s important that you take care to avoid burning your child out. Try incorporating relaxing activities into their brain training routine, such as Tai Chi, meditation, and yoga. These mindfulness activities help them engage with their body, recenter themselves, and reset in preparation for the next bout.
Lack of Focus in Children
Lacking motivation or focus can significantly hinder the success of your child’s brain training program. It can be challenging for children, especially those with ADHD, to maintain consistent focus and engagement in cognitive exercises. To address this, consider incorporating elements of gamification into the training, such as turning it into a friendly competition, offering rewards for completing tasks, or creating a visual aid that allows them to see their progress. Additionally, regular encouragement and positive reinforcement can help your child stay committed to their brain training program.
Dealing With Setbacks of Plateaus
Setbacks and plateaus can discourage your child, impacting their motivation and belief in their progress. For instance, if your child is consistently improving their attention span but suddenly finds it challenging to sustain focus during brain training exercises, it can be frustrating. Gently remind them that setbacks are normal and can provide valuable learning opportunities.
The Solution: Brain Training With an Expert Like Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic
When it comes to overcoming the common challenges of brain training, seeking guidance from trained professionals is key. At Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic, we specialize in providing personalized brain training programs that address the specific obstacles you and your child may face. Our team of experts will work closely with you to develop a tailored plan that suits your child’s unique goals, lifestyle, and needs and sets them up for success at school, at home, and in life.
Get in touch with us today to book a call and learn how our brain training programs can empower your child’s cognitive journey.
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