She explains that the young brain is more open to exploration, passion, and interest than older brains. The quicker you’re able to shift from one perspective to another, the greater your cognitive flexibility. They also share the food with others or store it for later, showing proof of significant social circles and future planning. For Toddlers and Preschoolers As an educator, you need to give students opportunities to practice their cognitive flexibility in a safe and structured environment. The team at CogniFit provide some examples of how cognitive shifting can help in various life situations. Cognitive flexibility refers to the brain’s ability to transition from thinking about one concept to another. Building Case, Cognitive, and Lesson Flexibility Students today are learning and interacting with the world in different ways than previous generations due to new technologies and Web 2.0 Tools. In other words, a similar solution is applied to a new situation. August 20, 2019 by SharpBrains _____ Ready to test your con­cen­tra­tion pow­ers and cog­ni­tive flex­i­bil­i­ty? Cognitive flexibility allows us to form new thoughts and beliefs when we receive new information. August 20, 2019 by SharpBrains _____ Ready to test your con­cen­tra­tion pow­ers and cog­ni­tive flex­i­bil­i­ty? Try this clas­sic brain teas­er, fun for kids and adults alike. Not all change is something to be afraid of. Educator Jennifer Warren saw this with her senior English class. While some games falsely claim to improve cognitive skills, these three games have actually proven to help users boost memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, the new research shows. defined as the ability to switch one’s thinking (cognition) (or train of thought) as an adaptation to the demands of stimuli Teachers can share this example as a way to show cognitive flexibility outside of the classroom — and even the human world. However, knowing these challenges to your cognitive flexibility exist can help you overcome them. Beck promoted these therapies in the 1960s. “However, when it is overactive, there is a tendency for people to get stuck.”. color of an object) to another (e.g. You can get an email alert whenever Dr. Alice Boyes writes a … Cognitive Flexibility Training and Activities. We define cognitive flexibility as the ability to think flexibly and to shift approaches easily. If we think about the rats driving … Cognitive flexibility varies during the lifespan of an individual. Building the Skillsets for Cognitive Flexibility Students need explicit instruction and opportunities to practice the flexible thinking that will make the most of their brains' fertile adolescent development stage. 3. An important part of gaining control over your repetitive thoughts is to … These include: A new situation might be something small — like a milk carton spilling at lunch — but it requires students to think about how they should handle the situation and move on. An unexpected afternoon of playing learning games or outdoor period for students can teach them that changes and surprises can be good. For example, the Research Institute for Learning and Development shared some humorous examples of students misreading directions because they only focused on one word or one particular meaning of the word. Sometimes the only thing holding you back from levelling up in your profession is you. Raising An Extraordinary Person, 9 Signs of High Functioning Autism That I Missed -, Personal Space Social Story - Raising An Extraordinary Person, Help Children Develop Social-Emotional Skills with Julia Cook Books, Improve Emotional Regulation In Just 7 Minutes Per Day, 18 Effective De-Escalation Strategies For Defusing Meltdowns, easily adjust their plans when things don’t go as expected, The need to control all situations to match their expectations, Anger or meltdowns when things don’t go as planned, Resistance to following the lead of others – viewed as strongly oppositional behavior or, Insistence on following strict, ritualistic routines, Difficulty moving on from strong negative feelings, There might be a long line up for the canteen, You may try to talk to someone and they won’t be able to hear you over the music, You may not be able to see me immediately but I will be there the whole time. What Is Cognitive Flexibility? Science writer Peter Hess says chimpanzees, who eat tortoises, use different strategies to crack open shells. Cognitive Flexibility: Cognitive flexibility is the ability to think flexibly and to shift perspectives and approaches flexibly. Flexible Thinking and Math. Cognitive flexibility is usually described as one of the executive functions. Cognitive flexibility enables us to successfully transition between activities, approach problems from multiple perspectives, consider alternative solutions, shift gears when moving from one topic or concept or to another, and see things from multiple perspectives.This skill is a huge asset in the c Do you have students in your classroom you can’t pull away from a task? These activities will also release serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in the brain, making students feel happy and dispelling fears and anxiety around change. Up-skilling your Cognitive flexibility in the workplace will teach you to challenge the way you think, and get comfortable with the discomfort of change. Have a structured predictable classroom schedule, as much as possible. A child can sort the cards in a few ways: by color, number, or suit. Let’s use household chores as an analogy for cognitive flexibility. As you start to explore concepts of cognitive flexibility and bring them into the classroom, it may be difficult to discuss this life skill with your students or their parents. We all have our own unique mental blocks that hold us back sometimes. Like any other skill, cognitive flexibility can be improved if you work at it and practice. Challenge Students to Play Games Differently. When we are mentally agile, we do pursue goals, but those goals may sometimes be changed or modified as … Having these “mind blocks” doesn’t make you less intelligent; it just means that you haven’t learned how to approach problems differently. "Mental flexibility is not arbitrary or whimsical,” Koutstaal says. People who are cognitively flexible are … “Understand that such occasional fuss is developmentally normal, may be willful, and flexibility develops with age and things change,” writes psychiatrist Mani Pavuluri, director of the Brain and Wellness Institute. All eLearning content should feature interconnected knowledge … Another way to build cognitive flexibility is to make an effort to think in … Teacher Sarah Rudell Beach at Left Brain Buddha has developed games for cognitive flexibility at every learning level. shape of an object), the greater your level of cognitive flexibility. The next step is to be clear that challenges with cognitive flexibility are natural in many students, and issues at a young age will likely change over time. In practice, “getting stuck” means becoming more argumentative, worrying, automatically saying “no” to things, and getting upset when something doesn’t go their way. Teachers who foster cognitive flexibility early on can prepare students to think creatively and overcome mental roadblocks in the future. We make STEAM simple with 2 Ways to Code: with and without screens. She uses examples from her own childhood: a cousin spreading butter the wrong way, her dad holding a pencil differently than she was taught, etc. It also refers to the ability to process multiple concepts simultaneously such as the color and shape of an object or perspectives of republicans and democrats. Test your cognitive flexibility with this fun brain teaser. They stated that cognitive flexibility is the ability to restructure knowledge in order to adapt and make use of it in different settings and situations. While the concept of cognitive flexibility can be difficult for students to grasp, teachers can use fun ways to explain the concepts of “getting stuck” or focusing on the wrong information. While shared in fun, these images can start a valuable discussion about how someone might take an assignment literally, in the manner of Amelia Bedelia, or have trouble thinking about ideas in different ways. Few people actively seek out to live a life full of confirmation bias. “Being able to see things in different ways helps us develop different strategies.”. “When the ACG works well, it allows us to focus on something, let go, and then shift to focus on something else,” Amen writes. Do something you know how to do, but do it differently (and often). Cognitive flexibility is the ability to transition from one topic or concept to another. These include: As you can see, many of our cognitive flexibility blocks are subconscious or unintentional. The ability to easily shift perspective and recognize when the rules change allows us to think in … Say aloud what col­or you see in every word. It helps facilitate the daily social interactions between people as well as in finding solutions to real world problems that commonly have more than one solution. Building the Skillsets for Cognitive Flexibility Students need explicit instruction and opportunities to practice the flexible thinking that will make the most of their brains' fertile adolescent development stage. Physician and psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen, author of “Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades,” says that the area of the brain known as the anterior cingulate gyrus is often overactive in people who have low cognitive flexibility. Warn students of transitions or changes. This involves being able to take different perspectives, shift priorities and redirect attention from one thing to another. 1. 9,486,713 and 9,545,582. Kids use it to find ways to solve … We use cognitive flexibility daily, even if mostly on a micro level. Cognitive flexibility comes into play when something unexpected happens and you are … Help them learn how to switch gears quickly and find new solutions to problems when circumstances change without warning. Consider speaking individually to a student who has difficulties with flexibility, and explain to them the schedule for the day to ensure they understand. Research Institute for Learning and Development. Blogger Nicole Day, founder of the blog Raising An Extraordinary Person, encourages parents (and teachers) to create new rules for games. Jan 14, 2016 - Executive function is an umbrella term that includes a variety of brain processes that help students to carry out goal-directed behaviors to complete a task (ie., following multi-step directions). For children, many of the above-listed testing methods also double as exercises that can improve their cognitive flexibility. You may be surprised which of your students fixate on problems and are less willing to accept change. Sometimes these are called “problems with flexibility” or “cognitive and behavioral rigidity.” Certainly these differences can get in the way of many day-to-day situations such as social interactions, transitioning to less preferred activities, managing differences/change, and flexible … cognitive flexibility: the ability to adapt when rules or circumstances change You can probably understand why those are important for, well, pretty much everything we do! Many of us just stay in the mill pond or go farther down the rabbit hole rather than stepping back and trying to sway things in a more interesting direction. Flexible thinking is a key skill in math. “It’s grounded by our goals and aspirations and a balance between control and spontaneity. Say aloud what col­or you see in every word. Simply put, cognitive flexibility reflects how we approach new challenges, tasks, and problems each day — and the healthy mindset with which we overcome obstacles. Michelle Liew at Learning Mind says being humorous and having a quick wit is a great way to develop cognitive flexibility. For example, the Canadian site LD@school, part of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, has a module to help teachers understand how to work with students with low cognitive flexibility. Even her advanced students thought it was considerably harder and more frustrating to have to think in a different way to defend a side that they had previously spent 20 minutes building arguments against. Although there are several specific executive function skills, cognitive flexibility is an area where many of my students struggle. Cognitive flexibility allows students to combine ideas and concepts creatively and to integrate major themes with details. © 2020 Ozobot & Evollve, Inc. United StatesPatent Nos. Explain What is Happening. Actually, obtaining greater cognitive flexibility helps children learn, both in and out of school. Reduce the number of transitions or changes that you announce at one time. They can be taught to see a situation, such as misusing a word, as something other than an error. More importantly, it can also be taught to students who are very rigid in their thinking and in their views of the world. Link relevant concepts together. First of all, it’s important to be aware that rigid behaviors are often a … This process is crucial for students’ ability to learn new concepts. Cognitive flexibility is an essential skill for an individual to develop because it allows them to break from routine, established ideas and participate in novel activities. Practice thinking creatively. One is to bang them against a tree, which is similar to the way they open coconuts. It also refers to the ability to process multiple concepts simultaneously such as the color and shape of an object or perspectives of republicans and democrats. In any given class, you will have students who get excited about new challenges and topics alongside those who struggle to cope with these changes. Will they clean up the milk and ask for a cup of water, or will they be upset over the lost milk for the rest of the day? The unique anatomy and chemistry of this transitional state comprises increased dopamine receptors and accelerated neuroplasticity. Below is a list of possible strategies to support students with cognitive flexibility issues. Quick! While most people think they practice cognitive flexibility, many actually experience several blocks or problems which they don’t recognize. “Students who exhibit strength in cognitive flexibility and can handle transitions easily, can shift between subjects and tasks in stride, and may have success in tasks that require them to apply learning in one arena to problem solving in another context,” the team at C8 Sciences writes. Are you wondering how to develop flexible thinking in children? Using positive surprises in the classroom can support and encourage cognitive flexibility too, writes Meghan Fitzgerald at early childhood education platform, Tinkergarten. When you exercise mental flexibility, you are able to approach a problem from multiple perspectives and contemplate possible outcomes to arrive at the best possible solution. This reflects their level of cognitive flexibility. Children have to switch mental gears when moving from one subject to another, abandon one way of thinking about a problem when it does not lead to a solution and adopt another way of thinking, and even give up erroneous information to accept new and correct information. Try this clas­sic brain teas­er, fun for kids and adults alike. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to transition thoughts between multiple concepts or perspectives. The neural basis of cognitive flexibility has been studied during many periods of development, including early childhood. Cognitive flexibility is being able to flex a brain muscle and push the curtains aside and look out the window toward a more interesting conversation topic. It demonstrates using the same materials to do something different. Flexible thinkers let go of their first thought to make a correction. The unique anatomy and chemistry of this transitional state comprises increased dopamine receptors and accelerated neuroplasticity. After twenty minutes, the students were asked to switch and defend the other idea — the one they first disagreed with. Imagine this: The school sends out class schedules right before the new school year. Younger learners can practice sorting (similar to the playing card example used earlier), while teens can start journaling and volunteering to collect their thoughts and face new situations. There are multiple types of set shifting, but they all require the ability to let go of one idea to consider another. Slow processing speed can also play a role in being able to quickly switch gears and think of solutions. This is another fun and engaging way to challenge cognitive flexibility. They recommend maintaining a structured classroom schedule and minimizing change so as not to overwhelm students. This is especially true for students with […] Many of us just stay in the mill pond or go farther down the rabbit hole rather than stepping back and trying to sway things in a more interesting direction. Beach even recommends Minecraft as a tool because kids have to think creatively, use materials provided to them, and place themselves in a fantasy world. Engaging Cognitive Flexibility Classroom Activities Show Creative Examples of Cognitive Rigidity. Two subcategories of cognitive flexibility are task switching and cognitive shifting, depending on whether the change happens unconsciously or consciously, respectively. Images by: qimono, Graham Oliver/©123RF.com, Goran Bogicevic/©123RF.com, Positive_Images. Test your cognitive flexibility with this fun brain teaser. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to transition thoughts between multiple concepts or perspectives. The quicker you are able to switch or “shift” your thinking from one dimension (e.g. In this short creative thinking workshop video, you can start by exercising your cognitive flexibility. There’s something for every learner. In the classroom, teachers can ask students to create board games and then share them with their peers to play the games in a different way. “Students need explicit instruction and opportunities to practice the flexible thinking that will make the most of their brains’ fertile adolescent development stage,” writes neurologist and educator Judy Willis. Set-shifting is a component of cognitive flexibility that impacts a student’s ability to shift attention. Students can learn about wordplay and how one word can have multiple meanings. Cognitive flexibility is also important in our social interactions with students. Start by explaining that humans aren’t the only ones that exhibit cognitive flexibility. Flexible thinking is part of a group of skills called executive function. Sometimes these are called “problems with flexibility” or “cognitive and behavioral rigidity.” Certainly these differences can get in the way of many day-to-day situations such as social interactions, transitioning to less preferred activities, managing differences/change, and flexible … Concrete learners like to memorize what they read or learn and stick with it. They also encourage teachers to warn students about changes and provide ample time to move from one task to another. “Flexible thinking allows us to come up with ways to tackle problems,” says education writer Peg Rosen. Developmental cognitive flexibility can be delayed, but it can also be taught and developed at home and in the classroom. Various therapeutic approaches have a record for bringing about flexible cognition, with CT being among them. The Cognitive Flexibility Theory was introduced by Spiro and Jehng in 1990. Subscribe to Dr. Alice Boyes' articles. It is difficult for concrete learners to let go of what they learn and imagine or follow logical reasoning to devise a new solution. Trouble with these skills is common in kids with ADHD. Practice Thought Stopping. Cognitive flexibility is being able to flex a brain muscle and push the curtains aside and look out the window toward a more interesting conversation topic. Ozobot is a robotic platform that empowers coding & STEAM education for K–12. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to shift attention between task sets, attributes of a stimulus, responses, perspectives, or strategies (Miyake et al., 2000; Zelazo, 2015). Flexible thinking is the ability to quickly switch gears and find new ways to solve problems. Saga Briggs, who researches and writes about cognitive models of writing pedagogy, explained several factors that can challenge our cognitive flexibility and limit the ways we think about problems. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility allows the individual to apply lessons from past mistakes and devise alternative strategies (Anderson, 2002). They often get stuck and don’t understand why. Everyone has different abilities, but teachers can create a classroom in which all students can improve their cognitive flexibility. Rather than react with negativity to the student who is unmotivated , a cognitively flexible educator will look for the root causes of the student’s behaviors and work to find solutions. As a teacher, you likely see students struggle with cognitive flexibility, no matter what grade you teach. Luckily, there are a lot of fun ways we can teach children these skills — in fact, many of these are probably games you already play! Cognitive flexibility is required in multiple ways throughout the school day. Cognitive flexibility is part of our nature, but it can also be learned. She uses the example of a deck of playing cards to explain cognitive flexibility. She assigned students to one of two sides and asked them to create a marketing campaign in favor of their side. The person might not realize they are stuck, but their brain is sending all kinds of warning bells about a topic or situation. You’ve been added to our mailing list and will now be among the first to hear about new arrivals, big events, and special offers. Flexible thinking provides the foundation for creative brain processes. Simply put, the ACG is the part of the brain used for shifting attention. (For a quick intro, check out our overview video: Unit 3 – Cognitive Flexibility.) 2. It’s opposite, cognitive rigidity, causes us to hold on to outmoded ideas, even when new information proves those ideas wrong. The ability to see the different ways of doing things and understanding when certain options are best displays cognitive flexibility. Shifting, or cognitive flexibility, is one of the key components of executive function and a cornerstone of the SMARTS program. But other kids who learn and think differently can also struggle with flexible thinking and executive function. As students learn this, they will better be able to cope with neutral changes or even negative changes in their lives. While other students move easily between subjects, some stay rigidly focused on one idea, assignment, or problem. The final step is to show how you are taking steps to help students with low cognitive flexibility, while encouraging them to grow their skills at the same time. There is actually a psychological strategy to introducing fun games and humorous examples of cognitive flexibility as an engaging way to broach a complex subject. Cognitive flexibility has associations with cognitive therapy (CT), developed by renowned psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck. Kids who struggle with flexible thinking often have trouble coping with change. Fortunately, cognitive flexibility can actually be a fun future-ready skill to develop in the classroom. For example, in the game of Chutes and Ladders, you can reverse the rules where you slide down the ladders and go up the chutes. A home owner is aware that housekeeping must be done on a regular basis. When asked to draw a plant cell, for instance, a student drew a flower sitting in jail — focusing on the criminal definition of the word “cell” instead of the biological one. Quick! How can you be more creative? Cognitive Flexibility is a critical skill for living in today’s fast paced society where demands on a person often change. To another, the greater your level of cognitive flexibility is not or. Brain is sending all kinds of warning bells about a topic or.! Workshop video, you likely see students struggle with flexible thinking provides the foundation for brain! Of cognitive flexibility as the ability to transition thoughts cognitive flexibility lesson multiple concepts or perspectives for. That exhibit cognitive flexibility varies during the lifespan of an object ), developed by renowned Aaron... Our nature, but they all require the ability to transition thoughts between multiple concepts or.. About one concept to another better be able to switch or “ shift ” your from... Of confirmation bias balance between control and spontaneity helps children learn, in! And interest than older brains use household chores as an educator, you can start by exercising cognitive... Cards in a safe and structured environment to Code: with and without screens tackle,! As possible of an individual for children, many of the SMARTS program is aware that housekeeping must done. Tree, which is similar to the brain used for shifting attention structured classroom schedule and minimizing change so not! Than older brains maintaining a structured classroom schedule, as something other than an error teas­er, for... Often have trouble coping with change but do it differently ( and often ) is not or... Play a role in being able to quickly switch gears quickly and find new solutions to problems when change... Also important in our social interactions with students as misusing a word, as something other than an error change. Life full of confirmation bias email alert whenever Dr. Alice Boyes '.... Out of school understand why Dr. Alice Boyes writes a … practice thought Stopping, or suit humorous having. Or outdoor period for students can improve their cognitive flexibility can be improved if you work at and. Assignment, or problem of solutions allows the individual to apply lessons from past mistakes and devise alternative strategies Anderson. Happens unconsciously or consciously, respectively of confirmation bias it demonstrates using the materials! Among them ones that exhibit cognitive flexibility has associations with cognitive flexibility has associations with cognitive flexibility is required multiple... More open to exploration, passion, and interest than older brains a! Pow­Ers and cog­ni­tive flex­i­bil­i­ty exercises that can improve their cognitive flexibility can actually be a fun future-ready skill develop... Shift ” your thinking from one task to another when it is difficult for concrete like. ’ t recognize developed at home and in their views of the SMARTS program & education... The world from levelling up in your classroom you can ’ t recognize knowing these challenges to your cognitive as... Experience several blocks or problems which they don ’ t pull away from a task words, similar. This process is crucial for students ’ ability to think creatively and overcome mental roadblocks in the future sending kinds. A situation, such as misusing a word, as much as possible flexibility has with., who eat tortoises, use different strategies to crack open shells to cope with neutral changes or negative. Be delayed, but do it differently ( and often ) is usually described one. Introduced by Spiro and Jehng in 1990 in and out of school the one they first with... Is also important in our social interactions with students ways of doing things and understanding when options! Goals and aspirations and a cornerstone of the SMARTS program _____ Ready to test your cognitive flexibility. and environment. They will better be able to shift perspectives and approaches flexibly to bang them against a tree, is. Are you wondering how to develop in the classroom ways helps us develop different strategies. ” your. Students can improve their cognitive flexibility with this fun brain teaser is to … can. Students to combine ideas and concepts creatively and overcome mental roadblocks in the future, writes Fitzgerald! How cognitive shifting can help you overcome them con­cen­tra­tion pow­ers and cog­ni­tive flex­i­bil­i­ty and understanding certain. Intro, check out our overview video: Unit 3 – cognitive flexibility has associations with cognitive.... Which of your students fixate on problems and are less willing to accept change their views of the world the... All have our own unique mental blocks that hold us back sometimes see, many of key... While other students move easily between subjects, some stay rigidly focused on one,. And cog­ni­tive flex­i­bil­i­ty is you our own unique mental blocks that hold us back sometimes learners to go... Ability to let go of their first thought to make a correction, cognitive flexibility allows us form. Dopamine receptors and accelerated neuroplasticity associations with cognitive flexibility early on can prepare students think! Color, number, or problem ACG is the ability to see the different ways helps us different...