while controlling themselves and working from empathy and self-
understanding, they will develop a robust and active sense of
morality, a sense of not only right and wrong, but also what is for
the greater good beyond their own individual needs. Again, we
can’t expect absolute consistency because of their still-developing
brain. But we do want to raise questions regarding morals and
ethics as often as possible in normal, everyday situations.
Another way to exercise this part of the brain is to oʃer
hypothetical situations, which kids often love: Would it be OK to
run a red light if there was an emergency? If a bully was picking on
someone at school and there were no adults around, what would you
do? The point is to challenge your children to think about how they
act, and to consider the implications of their decisions. In doing so,
you give your kids practice thinking through moral and ethical
principles, which, with your guidance, will become the foundation
for the way they make decisions for the rest of their lives.
And, of course, consider what you are modeling with your own
behavior. As you teach them about honesty, generosity, kindness,
and respect, make sure that they see you living a life that embodies
those values as well. The examples you set, for good and for bad,
will signiɹcantly impact the way your child’s upstairs brain
develops.
Whole-Brain Strategy #5:
Move It or Lose It: Moving the Body to Avoid Losing the Mind
Research has shown that bodily movement directly aʃects brain
chemistry. So when one of your children has lost touch with his
upstairs brain, a powerful way to help him regain balance is to
have him move his body. Here’s a story a mother told us about her
ten-year-old son and a time he regained control by being physically