Every Body Has a Brain.. Introducing 4-6 year olds to Neuroscience

描述(由申请者提供)：“每个人都有一个大脑”解决了寻找新的和娱乐的方式来向4-6岁的儿童展示基础神经科学的需要。这个项目的目标是：(1)开发一个跨平台(Win/Mac)的CD-ROM计算机游戏和网站，通过音乐、运动和基于故事的活动和游戏向4-6岁的儿童介绍大脑，以及(2)评估该计划在增加对大脑的兴趣和知识方面的有效性。在第一阶段，将设计、开发和测试原型。这款CD-ROM游戏将主要作为4-6岁儿童的消费产品进行营销，其次将作为学龄前到一年级的补充程序。该计划的主要组成部分是音乐、运动和基于故事的电脑游戏，这些游戏激励幼儿学习大脑，并以有趣和信息量大的方式解决神经科学问题。预期结果/结果：增加4-6岁儿童对大脑的兴趣和知识。此应用程序是对NIMH研究主题K“教育工具”的响应。具体内容将是：“用于向儿童传达有关大脑的基本概念的软件和其他互动媒体。“每个身体都有一个大脑”将借鉴脑科学中经常抽象的概念，并使它们变得有趣和容易为儿童所接受。最重要的是，它的设计是为了让孩子们对他们快速发展的大脑产生敬畏之感。许多软件游戏鼓励孩子们开动脑筋，但《每个身体都有一个大脑》会同时教会孩子们大脑的科学。出于许多原因，向幼儿传授基础神经科学是很重要的。通过帮助他们了解这个脆弱的器官是多么重要，我们促进了对其适当护理的积极态度。此外，让儿童从小接触神经科学会鼓励他们天生的好奇心和对科学的兴趣，增加了一些人从事神经科学职业并为这一快速增长的知识体系做出贡献的可能性。尽管教授基础神经科学有好处，但从学龄前到一年级，它显然没有出现，因为它经常被认为是一门过于抽象和专业化的科学，不适合教给幼儿。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): "Every Body Has a Brain" addresses the need to find new and entertaining ways to present basic neuroscience to children ages 4-6. The goals of this project are: (1) to develop a cross platform (Win/Mac) CD-ROM computer game and web-site that introduces children, ages 4-6 to the brain using music, motor, and story-based activities and games and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of this program in increasing interest and knowledge of the brain. In Phase I, a prototype will be designed, developed and tested. The CD- ROM game will be marketed primarily as a consumer product for children ages 4-6, and secondarily as a supplemental program for preschool through first grade. The central components of the program are music, motor, and story-based computer games that motivate young children to learn about the brain and address neuroscience in a fun and informative way. Anticipated Results/Outcome: To increase interest in and knowledge about the brain among 4-6 year olds. This application is in response to NIMH Research Topic K "Educational Tools." Specifically addressed will be: "software and other interactive media used to convey fundamental concepts about the brain to children. "Every Body Has a Brain" will take the often abstract concepts of brain science and makes them fun and accessible to young children. Above all, it is designed to infuse children with a sense of awe for their own rapidly developing brains. Many software games encourage children to use their brains, but "Every Body Has a Brain" will teach children the science of their brains at the same time. It is important to teach young children about basic neuroscience for many reasons. By helping them understand how central this delicate organ is, we promote a positive attitude towards its proper care. Furthermore, introducing children to neuroscience when they are young encourages their natural curiosity and interest in science, increasing the likelihood that some will pursue a career in neuroscience and contribute to this fast growing body of knowledge. Despite the benefits of teaching basic neuroscience, it is conspicuously absent from preschool through grades 1 because it is often considered too abstract and specialized a science to be taught to young children.