My Curious Brain sparks children’s curiosity about how the brain works. This book provides parents, teachers, and caregivers with tools to support brain health for children.
The different parts of the brain are represented by the instinctual dinosaur, the emotional monkey, and the wise owl. The story offers children and adults a fun and interesting way to gain a greater understanding of how the brain develops, how it processes emotions, and how to deal with those emotions.
When people experience big emotions, it can be difficult for the brain to work as well as it does when it is calm, happy, and relaxed. My Curious Brain illustrates how to practice calming the instinctual dinosaur and the emotional monkey, in order to help access the wise owl.
The instinctual dinosaur represents the brainstem. It is the first part of the brain to develop and is often referred to as the “survival brain.” It sends messages from our brain to our body. Early experiences directly shape how the dinosaur views the world.
The emotional monkey represents the limbic system. This is the second part of the brain to develop and is where our emotions are experienced. Infants and children need the support of adults in their lives to help them manage their emotions until the neocortex (wise owl) is developed.
The wise owl represents the neocortex, which is the final part of the brain to develop and does not reach full development until early adulthood. It is the “thinking and feeling brain” and is responsible for judgement, planning, and decision-making. The neocortex also helps us to regulate our emotions.
You can purchase a copy of the book here. Presentations may be available upon request. Contact info@skprevention.ca.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute would like to acknowledge and thank all individuals and groups who have had important roles in the development of My Curious Brain and its corresponding resources. The book was written by Brent McKee and Britton Houdek and illustrations were created by Jackie Madarash. Additional activities were developed by the KidsFirst Team and Sunrise Health Region. The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is grateful for the opportunity to adapt My Curious Brain and add it to our resources. The purpose of this book is to help children, and the adults in their lives, better understand how the brain develops and works, as well as the important role it plays in managing our emotions and stress.
My Curious Brain sparks children’s curiosity about how the brain works. This book provides parents, teachers, and caregivers with tools to support brain health for children.
The different parts of the brain are represented by the instinctual dinosaur, the emotional monkey, and the wise owl. The story offers children and adults a fun and interesting way to gain a greater understanding of how the brain develops, how it processes emotions, and how to deal with those emotions.
When people experience big emotions, it can be difficult for the brain to work as well as it does when it is calm, happy, and relaxed. My Curious Brain illustrates how to practice calming the instinctual dinosaur and the emotional monkey, in order to help access the wise owl.
The instinctual dinosaur represents the brainstem. It is the first part of the brain to develop and is often referred to as the “survival brain.” It sends messages from our brain to our body. Early experiences directly shape how the dinosaur views the world.
The emotional monkey represents the limbic system. This is the second part of the brain to develop and is where our emotions are experienced. Infants and children need the support of adults in their lives to help them manage their emotions until the neocortex (wise owl) is developed.
The wise owl represents the neocortex, which is the final part of the brain to develop and does not reach full development until early adulthood. It is the “thinking and feeling brain” and is responsible for judgement, planning, and decision-making. The neocortex also helps us to regulate our emotions.
You can purchase a copy of the book here. Presentations may be available upon request. Contact info@skprevention.ca.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute would like to acknowledge and thank all individuals and groups who have had important roles in the development of My Curious Brain and its corresponding resources. The book was written by Brent McKee and Britton Houdek and illustrations were created by Jackie Madarash. Additional activities were developed by the KidsFirst Team and Sunrise Health Region. The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is grateful for the opportunity to adapt My Curious Brain and add it to our resources. The purpose of this book is to help children, and the adults in their lives, better understand how the brain develops and works, as well as the important role it plays in managing our emotions and stress.