Results show Cognitive Gains

More than 40 years ago Dr. Reuven Feuerstein said, “Intelligence is modifiable.” Some walked out. Today in the US, such a speech would be less contentious as extensive research studies from many fields have shown the plasticity of the brain.

Dr. Reuven Feuerstein, an Israeli psychologist developed and proved a cognitive program since the 1950’s. The basis is “cognitive modifiability” – it is never too late to improve the thinking powers of any individual, no matter where she or he is at the moment. He began working with children of the Holocaust in 1945 whom teachers and psychologists had declared “unteachable.”.. Many questioned if they could learn. He responded “Don’t ask me what I know! Ask me how I can Learn!”

In later years, he worked with students with special needs, brain traumatized adults, and others struggling to learn and helping prevent learning disorders and disabilities in regular students and dementia in seniors.

It is used in more than 70 countries and has had its success documented in more than 1000 research articles.  Evidence has shown that the “content free” exercises used to increase cognitive structures significantly impact students thinking and change the structure of the brain and impact learning of content.  It looks at what lies underneath the curriculum that provides challenges for so many. He deals with humans capacity for cognitive modifiability- how the amiability of the brain/mind to change informs the way we can help students and adults improve their ability to think and learn.

The evidence for neuroplasticity provides a strong support for the potential to overcome the barriers. It is our belief and experience that a human being who possesses the need, belief, intention, and proper tools can be given a way to bypass the barriers and realize the option of modifiability. The age barrier or critical age can be overcome. We believe that human beings are modifiable during the entire course of their lifetimes and can create wonderful changes even at advanced ages.

Beyond Smarter: Mediated Learning and the Brain’s Capacity for Change  by Dr. Reuven Feuerstein 2010 is available on amazon.com.

* Kyle and I are training in these exercises to add to our cognitive development program. We believe the combination will be powerful.