Culture and the Brain - School Based Mental Health Clinician Pathway [Read]

CA MTSS logo How the Brain Learns

Understanding the rings of culture and cultural archetypes is beneficial for creating a learning environment that is optimal for cognition. 

In her book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, Zaretta Hammond outlines six "Culturally Responsive Brain Rules" that connect CLRT with the neuroscience behind how the brain learns. 

Culturally Responsive Brain Rules

1. The brain seeks to minimize social threats and maximize opportunities to connect with others in the community. 

2. Positive relationships keep our safety-threat detection system in check.

3. Culture guides how we process information.

4. Attention drives learning.

5. All new information must be coupled with existing funds of knowledge in order to be learned.

6. The brain physically grows through challenge and stretch, expanding its ability to do more complex thinking and learning.

 

Using “If ___, then____” statements, connect each of the Culturally Responsive Brain Rules to the aspects of cultural knowledge that will enable you to optimize cognition for students.

Example: If we know that some students are more collectivist in their learning, then we can incorporate collaborative work and group goals.