Neural Development

Brain research has made great advancements in identifying the specific needs of growing minds, especially in the developing years between 3 and 12. It is during this time that the human mind is being sculpted into the brain that it will become. In the early stages of this development, a child's brain is typically working at 225% the energy level of adults and is incredibly adept at gathering and understanding new information.

The visual and mental stimulation that Young Rembrandts offers students is a very important part of a child's healthy development. As children learn how to draw new objects, they reinforce connections in their brains and train their minds to be more perceptive to the details of the visual world. Students strengthen their visual vocabulary by viewing objects and breaking them down into identifiable shapes as part of the Young Rembrandts Method. This helps children reinforce the pattern-seeking elements of their brains, which modern science recognizes as being important to the development of the visual cortex and the ability to see properly.

Young Rembrandts recognizes that children learn more efficiently when they are interested in the material they are presented. Modern brain research recognizes that the challenge of memory is deeply affected by interest level.

If the human brain does not find a piece of information:
a.) vitally important to personal survival, or
b.) enjoyable,
the brain will not bother to collect and store the information offered.

Young Rembrandts ensures that lessons are engaging and relevant to a child's life. For example, a still life drawing, often involves items that a child identifies with - a backpack or a lunch.

For the same reasons, it is critical children feel comfortable, encouraged and successful in classroom atmospheres. If a child is uncomfortable or scared in a learning situation, the information they received is stored in completely different areas of the brain - this information is forever tainted by the negative situation in which they learned it. Young Rembrandts puts great emphasis not only on its curriculum, but also on using best education practices in the classroom. Young Rembrandts trains their Instructors in positive classroom techniques and students are always encouraged and supported during the learning process.

Most importantly are the cognitive benefits that Young Rembrandts has on a child's brain. Art education is essential to the development of abstract thinking in children. Art teaches children the value of creativity and diversity of outcome in a way few other disciplines can. The Young Rembrandts Method and our unique curriculum are intentionally designed to develop cognitive skills. This ability to think abstractly and perform at deeper cognitive levels is essential to a child's future learning in the advanced levels of math and science. With Young Rembrandts, children gain the following skills:

• Fine motor skills (handwriting)
• Attention to detail and focus
• Process, order and completion
• Visual discrimination
• Time on task
• Visual/spatial organization skills
• Sequencing
• Expanded image vocabulary
• Persistence and follow through
• Patience, discipline and manners
• Increased self esteem and confidence

Modern brain research shows educators and parents what constitutes the best education for developing children. It is already clear that an education which is rich in variety, visual stimuli, cognitive development, positive reinforcement and creative thinking can help children grow brains better able to face the challenges of future learning. The Young Rembrandts Method and curriculum offer this form of brain-based learning that is crucial to the complete education and full development of modern minds.

Research information courtesy of Kenneth Wesson, 2005