Childhood Brain Integration

Childhood Brain Integration God’s Way
Siegel & Bryson textbook, The Whole-Brain Child, discusses many great ways a parent can learn to understand how a child’s brain develops to help prime, nurture, and develop healthier mind skills (Siegel & Bryson, 2011). Nonetheless, this is an easy guide and a view on brain development that is fascinating, interesting, and full of great highlights of how the brain functions and develops from birth to adulthood. The imminent question is will I consider using this book as a personal guide to help raise my children or while counseling children—the answer is yes and no. As a Christian mother of two children and through my work experience as a former preschool Director-teacher of over 12 years I learned how
to role model behavior that will impact the developmental stages in children from ages birth through school age. An important factor of being a good parent, caregiver, and or role model is to be diligent and consistent in your role as God intended it to be. In a preschool setting there are children and families from all different cultural, economic, dysfunctional homes, and even learning disabilities. My work experience helped me understand that good parents, caregivers, or any person who plays a major role in the lives of children will refuse to allow a child to be left at the mercy of their own foolishness. A good and caring role model will attempt every effort to prepare children for a future that is successful, they will help children learn the needful skills of self-control, responsibility, respect for authority, consideration for others, and above all submissions to God. Most importantly, understanding the duties of this training will involve teaching, correcting, and leading by example in God’s way—His golden rule (Matthew 7:12, New International Version, NIV).
Siegel & Bryson suggest, “But by understanding a few simple and easy-to-master basics about how the brain works, you’ll be able to better understand your child, respond more effectively to difficult situations, and build a foundation for social, emotional, and mental health” (Siegel & Bryson, 2011, p.
4). There is nothing to argue that this information is helpful, however it should be used hand in hand with Scriptural framework. First, let us seek the direction from the Bible that will teach us how to be good parents, caregivers, and or a role model. God expects an effective role model to be consistent, positive, and demands a proper example. The Bible shows how God was happy with Abraham when he said, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord” (Genesis 18:19, NIV). This is a model of a good father (role model) led by a positive character and active example. Second, another great Bible teaching is in the book of Joshua 24:15, NIV, “…then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. Joshua shows how successful a good and positive role model is of others by being successful in self-discipline. Third, effective role modeling is individualized by planting, Bible principles in the heart of a child. A reliable assurance a role model can have against disobedience and rebellion that correcting is done with love, respect, patience, and mandating being of proper self-example. It takes a lot of patience to be a positive role model, but one thing for sure it will help shape good character in a child. All adults who play a part in the lives of children play a part of being their role model. A valuable point made by Siegel & Bryson, “When kids spend time with the most important people in their life, they develop important relational skills like communicating and listening well, interpreting facial expressions, understanding nonverbal
communication, sharing, and sacrificing” (Siegel & Bryson, 2011, p. 125).
Siegel & Bryson (2011) have written a highly interesting textbook that is full of great suggestions that we may see fit to help develop the mind of a child. While a wonderful book, its use is only helpful when used hand in hand with the book of life, the Bible. As a future Christian counselor, I pray we may see more written literature that is developed to help families get closer to the mighty power of all creation, His commands for his children and families, and most significantly learning to use the Bible as a whole to guide our individual lives. Our nation’s families, even among believers, are lost souls living in a lost world that have gotten away from seeking God in everything they do. Siegel & Bryson indicate that there is still hope for new brain development “With intention and effort, we can acquire new mental skills” (Siegel & Bryson, 2011, p. 98). Then there is still hope to learn the deeper meaning and understanding to God’s plan for developing disciples. His commands are alive in each and every parent, teacher, caregiver, and role model of our children. Keep in mind for the foolishness of men will cause them to fall (Colossians 2:2-23, NIV). His Word is alive and it is kept alive by people learning to live by His plan—a plan to prosper those who believe and follow His commands (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). Reference
Siegel, D.J., & Bryson, T.P. (2011). The whole-brain child. New York, NY: Delacorte Press/Random House.
Siegel, D.J., & Bryson, T.P. (2011). Parenting with the brain in mind. In D.J. Siegel & T.P. Bryson, The whole-brain child (p. 4). New York, NY: Delacorte Press/Random House.
Siegel, D.J., & Bryson, T.P. (2011). Laying the ground for connection: creating positive mental models. In D.J. Siegel & T.P. Bryson, The whole-brain child (p. 125). New York, NY: Delacorte Press/Random House.
Siegel, D.J., & Bryson, T.P. (2011). The power of focused attention. In D.J. Siegel & T.P. Bryson, The whole-brain child (p. 98). New York, NY: Delacorte Press/Random House.