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Essential Question:

Upstairs Brain, Downstairs Brain

How do the different parts of our brain control our behavior?

The Whole-Brain Child

The Unfinished Upstairs

Setting Appropriate Expectations For Your Children

The Mental Staircase

Integrating the Upstairs & Downstairs Brains

Even though we want to help build this metaphorical staircase (downstairs brain connecting to upstairs brain), there are two important reasons to maintain realistic expectations when it comes to integration.

While the downstairs brain is well developed even at birth

The Baby Gate of the Mind

The Amygdala

The Amygdala Made Me Do It!

Upstairs isn't developed to full potential until the mid-twenties.

Imagine your brain was a house.

We have talked about the right brain and the left brain.

Cerebral Cortex

The Amygdala is about the size and shape of an almond and is part of the limbic area

Full perspective

Controlled

Sophisticated

The Amygdala's job is to

QUICKLY

process and express emotions

Fear

Downstairs Brain

Now we are going to look at it from bottom to top

Anger

Primitive

Brain stem

Basic functions

The upstairs of a house has skylights that allow you to see things more clearly.

Innate reactions

Limbic Region

Strong emotions

Watchdog

Always remaining alert for times when we might feel threatened

The Hand Model

Sound Decision Making & Planning

When the amygdala senses danger, it can completely take over, not allowing access to the upstairs brain.

Sometimes it is a good idea to

ACT

THINK

before you

But not for everyday situations

The problem, though, is that especially in children, the amygdala frequently fires up and blocks the stairway connecting the

and

DOWNSTAIRS

UPSTAIRS

It is as if a baby gate has been latched at the bottom of the staircase connecting the downstairs to the upstairs, making the upstairs inaccessible.

Balancing Emotions and the Body

The Tantrum

Self-understanding and Reflection

Empathy (seeing things from another person's perspective)

The tantrum can be one of the most unpleasant parts of parenting.

Morality (understanding right and wrong)

So, what do you do when your child has

There are two types of tantrums

FLIPPED HIS LID

Nurturing

The Downstairs Tantrum

The Upstairs Tantrum

Comforting

A downstairs tantrum is completely different.

DECIDES

This is when a child

The child is no longer able to use the upstairs brain

to throw a fit

Stress hormones flood the body

Conscious choice

Empathizing

Loss of emotional control

Trying to push buttons

Manipulation

Incapable of making choices or seeing logic

In control of emotions

No access to upstairs brain

NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH A TERRORIST!

Access the upstairs brain

THE CHILD HAS FLIPPED HIS LID

Fight/Flight/Freeze

Autonomic Functions (breathing, blinking, instincts)

Engage, Don't Enrage

Sensory Memories

Use It or Lose It

Strong Emotions (fear, anger, excitement, joy)

Basic needs are met in the downstairs of a house

Move It or Lose It

Acting Before Thinking

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