Why Doing One More Crossword Puzzle is Not Brain Training - The Importance of Novelty and Challenge

You probably have heard many times "Use it or Lose it", on the importance of mental stimulation to keep our brains active with activities such as reading or doing crossword puzzles.

The question is, what exactly is mental stimulation? and, is all mental stimulation the same? is doing your first crossword puzzle the same as doing crossword puzzle number one million?

The answer: it's not all the same. Real mental stimulation or "brain training" is different from "easy", routine, mental activity.

Let's take the example of physical activity. There is a clear difference between physical activity and physical exercise. Physical activity occurs whenever we move our body or engage in a leisure activity that involves moving our body (e.g., playing pool). Physical exercise (e.g. jogging) refers to the repeated and structured activity of particular parts of our bodies. Both physical activity and physical exercise are good, but it is exercise the one that helps build muscle and improve functionality.

Similarly, mental exercise (you can also call it "brain training"), goes beyond mental activity. Mental activity takes place whenever one is awake, ranging from merely day dreaming to reading a book or learning a new language. Mental exercise or brain training refers to the structured use of cognitive exercises or techniques. Its aim is to improve specific brain functions.

Understanding the difference between mental activity and mental exercise is crucial. For instance, many people feel that they are doing the best for their brain after having completed their daily puzzle. However crossword puzzles challenge a relatively narrow range of cognitive skill and thus stimulate only a limited range of brain regions. A 1999 study showed that increased amount of experience in doing crossword puzzles does not modify the effect of age measured in tasks requiring vocabulary and reasoning (Hambrick et al.,1999). Crosswords puzzles generate mental activity but they do not constitute a brain training program!

This points out to the key word in brain training: variety. One needs a variety of challenging exercises in order to stimulate the whole brain. Recent recommendations made by a panel of experts reviewing a poll by the American Society on Aging (2006) stated: "A single activity, no matter how challenging, is not sufficient to sustain the kind of mental acuity that virtually everyone can achieve." Even if one's goal is to improve memory functions, other brain functions need stimulation to achieve that goal. For instance, attention and concentration are essential to good memorization.

Systematic brain training programs can be designed to lead to brain change in a more efficient way that random daily activities may. A combination of both may be ideal. Learning a complex skill such as learning the piano helps train and develop some parts of the brain. Well-designed training programs may help train and develop other parts. Defined as the structured use of cognitive exercises or techniques aimed at improving specific brain functions, brain training includes a range of research-supported techniques or approaches, such as cognitive therapy and meditation, along with the most popular brain fitness software.

An example: Why Meditation is Brain Training

You may be wondering what meditation has to do with brain training. In fact, meditation has been shown to improve specific cognitive functions such as attention. As such it can be considered as a brain training technique.

A number of studies have compared people who practice meditation to people who do not. The problem with these studies is that people in both groups can be very different. Thus the benefits observed in the group practicing meditation could be due to other things.

Recently, a more controlled study was conducted that showed a specific effect of meditation on attention. In this study, Posner and his colleagues (2007) randomly assigned participants to either an Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT) or to a relaxation training. Both trainings lasted 5 days, 20mn per day. IBMT is a meditation technique developed in China in the 1990s. It stresses a balanced state of relaxation while focusing attention. Thought control is achieved with the help of a coach through posture, relaxation, body-mind harmony and balance. The results of this study showed that after training, participants in the IBMT training group showed more improvement in a task measuring executive attention than the control group. The IBMT training also helped reduced cortisol levels caused by mental stress.

Styles of meditation differ. Some technique use concentration meditation, mantra, mindfulness meditation, while others rely on body relaxation, breathing practice and mental imagery. It is not known so far what aspects of meditation or which techniques are the best to train one's brain. Scientists are researching what elements of meditation may help manage stress and improve memory. For instance, Dr. Andrew Newberg is currently conducting a study where 15 older adults with memory problems are practicing Kirtan Kriya meditation during 8 weeks. Preliminary results in terms of the impact on brain functions seem promising.

In summary, yes, "Use it or Lose It", but please remember that not all ways to use our brains are the same.

It may be time for a new saying: "Exercise it and Improve It".

Copyright (c) 2010 SharpBrains

Fun educational games for every subject

Educational games are great in class, break up the day teaching. Not only did the students like to work to play any game you have, these games require little preparation. Even if I have third grade, all activities will be adapted for other levels.

Reading: A simple way to understand after completing the history of the practice is clearly to buy the balls of water. On the beach balls in permanent marker, write several comprehension questions. A few would attempt good "What was the setting of the story?" or "Who is your favorite character and why was that?" Since that date, students will apply launching or rolling the ball gently to get together. No matter what question is the right thumb the next child is that he either has to respond. Continue in this way several times in the whole class or small groups.

Spelling: I like to practice spelling words before the test on Friday, playing a kind Spelling Bee> Game. My students begin with) by sitting at their desks (this is a novelty in itself. I give students a word and go through the banks, the letters in spelling a word to say to the next. If an incorrect letter is given, he or she must sit down, and the very next word begins with the student. When a word has been completed successfully, the next child is called "Sparkle", which is already sitting next to forces guy. cross the room several times, weaving towe have only one child is allowed to stand (or sit, as it is).

Math: up or down is my game of choice for mathematics. It is not only to reinforce the concepts of value, but is also a game of listening to music (which is the code of silence). I begin with the statement: "I'm thinking of a number between 1 and ___." I always start with a simple set of 1 to 100, but with each game, the odds increase to 100 000 we have a range of 1 a. Once I decided on my size, bring studentschanges (lowest) rate. I simply explained that my number is higher (or lower) ___ (the number is assumed). Finally, the students close down and select the winning number. I agree to the "winner" in the next, and choose to care for me. Well, I did not even participate!

Science: Around the world has always been a game of my favorites as a child and love my students today. I use this game to reinforce the vocabulary of science. WriteAll definitions of the current chapter on a card index (with the appropriate word on the back) and around the world, play with the cards. Students love the competition and the need to learn the vocabulary of "beat" her rival.

Social Studies: With a blow-up globe in my room, in turn, throwing the students (or rolling) on others. This game is similar to a bullet in reading comprehension, students are looking to see where their right thumb lands onGlobe. For this game, however, the students in the state that continent or ocean, that has landed on his thumb. This also works well for countries, hemispheres, and latitude and longitude.

Fun in the classroom is important for students and teachers. So they learn to work!