Sticky Brains: Training Your Brain to Focus on the Good Instead of the Bad

Our brains are designed to focus on the bad things that happen, even when there is a lot of good happening, too. This is called the negativity bias. Research has shown that our brains pay more attention to the negative than the positive and we focus on bad thoughts and remember our struggles more than our successes. In this class, student will listen to a story called "Sticky Brains" by Dr. Nicole Libin [Book used with permission from the author].  They will learn how to pay attention to the positive and change their brains because your brain gets good at what it practices.

  In this story, "Aria is having a tough week! All she remembers is the bad stuff that happens! Then she discovers something amazing: her brain gets good at what it practices (yours does too)! She learns to make good thoughts stick too, just by paying attention in a new way. Join Aria in exploring how to use your own brain changing powers!" - from author's website 

  After discussing the story, students will learn a few ways to begin changing their brains and focusing on the good. Activities include practicing "Press Pause", "The Weather Inside" and "Being Grateful" through a mindfulness moment and coloring.