Left Brain

Whilst the brain is split into both conscious and unconscious it is also created from two hemispheres – left brain and right brain. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. However each side also has their own associated behaviours. Depending on the tasks that are being completed will depend which hemisphere of the brain is being activated. However our personality can develop a preference for one type of functions hemisphere.

The left side of the brain works with tasks which are:

logical
sequential
analytical
objective
computation
reasoning
linear
need important details

People who prefer left side activities will favour subjects and experiences which are:

focussed on reasoning
think in words
identify the important details
have a process
move in sequential order
each step is completed
have clear expectations
planned and orderly
social

For instance, they might like:

Maths
Science
Computer games with levels
Logic games
Solving puzzles

Right Brain

The right side of the brain works with tasks which are about:

visual
arts
creativity
intuition
expression
emotional
abstract thinking
adventures
random orders

People who prefer right side activities will favour subjects and experiences which are:

fluid and allow movement
allow creative thinking
innovative and allow them to find solutions
holistic
enjoys creative storytelling
have visual cues or info

For instance, they may like:

Music
Dance
Arts
Holistics
Imaginative play
Reading fiction

Preference:

If a child’s personality shows a preference for one side’s thinking over another, when faced with conflicting behaviours, they may demonstrate:

frustration
high emotions if they cannot complete things
rejection of ideas
dislike of activities

This does not mean that they should be discouraged from these, but rather that you can offer them adaptations to allow them to engage with other ways of thinking and encourage them to use the other side of their brain.

Supporting children:

Our left side of our brain controls the right hand side of your body, and the right side of our brain, controls the left side of our body. Increase brain activity on both sides by:

Focus on something else – Quickly solve a different problem. Whether it is a maths problem, a quick puzzle on paper or drawing a shape on paper show your brain that it knows how to find answers. Then take a deep breath and go back to the task you want to solve.
Use the other side – Try writing with a different hand, or completing a task with a different side of the body. If you normally write with your right hand – use the left. If you like to hop on your left leg – practice hopping on your right.
Learn to juggle – Juggling uses both sides of your brain, the combination of hand-eye coordination improves brain use on both sides.
Learn a new skill – Learning a new skill, whether it is an instrument, language or ride a horse, learning new skills strengthens brain connections.
Play memory games – Add memory games to your days, to support your brain to use visual and memory skills. Card games, memory games or board games.

Want to learn more?

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Further help

For more articles about mental health visit – ARTICLES

To learn more about child and adolescent mental health visit – COURSES

For resources to support child and adolescent mental health visit –RESOURCES