brain training Archives - www.thebrainymoms.com

Smart but Struggling: Why School Accommodations Might Not be Working | Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis

The gap between being “smart” and “struggling” often confuses parents, especially when school accommodations don’t seem to be working. Dr. Amy and Sandy dive into this critical topic, exploring how cognitive processing differs from academic learning and why this distinction matters for your child’s future.

Your child’s brain isn’t just responsible for thinking and learning—it processes emotions too. When cognitive skills like working memory, processing speed, or reasoning are weak, it affects everything from test performance to social interactions. A child who struggles to process information efficiently experiences frustration that can manifest as behavioral problems, avoidance, or diminished self-confidence. As one parent shared, “My vibrant child began to wilt because he just felt like a failure.”

The conversation tackles the tough question many parents ask: how far behind is too far behind? While temporary slowdowns in specific subjects aren’t concerning, persistent patterns of struggle across multiple areas signal deeper cognitive issues that won’t simply resolve with time. These struggles eventually impact self-esteem and emotional well-being, sometimes in ways children can’t articulate until they face a significant challenge.

Most educational approaches rely heavily on accommodations rather than addressing underlying cognitive weaknesses. While extra time or modified assignments help in the moment, they don’t prepare children for college or careers where such accommodations may be limited or unavailable. Building cognitive skills creates long-term solutions that allow children to function independently throughout life.

When parents disagree about interventions, the key is moving beyond arguments about the present to discuss fears about the future. What happens if we don’t address these issues now? What are the long-term implications for independence and success? By strengthening cognitive skills, we don’t change who children are—we free them from unnecessary struggles so their unique gifts can truly shine.

Podcast

Decoding Bedtime Battles in ADHD: Tailoring Sleep Routines for Sensory Needs | Dr. Amy Moore

Amy Moore, PhD

Sleep struggles can feel like a nightly battle when parenting a child with ADHD. But what if the solution isn’t another sticker chart or stricter routine—but understanding the unique way your child’s brain processes sensory information?

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk about how during a recent webinar on focus and attention for homeschooling families, one question dominated our Q&A session: “How do I help my ADHD child sleep?” This reflects a universal challenge as sleep disruption affects nearly every aspect of family life. The science explains why: children with ADHD typically experience altered sleep patterns, struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleeping for shorter durations. What many parents don’t realize is that their own exhaustion and frustration at bedtime can actually make the problem worse through mirror neurons—special brain cells that make emotions contagious between people who care about each other.

The game-changer for many families starts with identifying whether your child is a sensory seeker or a sensory avoider. Sensory seekers—those kids who run laps around the house and dive into couch cushions—need additional stimulation to calm down. They benefit from weighted blankets, textured bedding, rhythmic sounds, or rocking motions. Meanwhile, sensory avoiders become overwhelmed by too much input and need darker rooms, minimal noise, and softer textures. Understanding this fundamental difference allows you to create a bedroom environment that serves as your child’s sensory sanctuary.

Beyond environmental adjustments, be mindful that blue light from screens biologically blocks melatonin release, signaling to the brain that it’s still daytime. This makes the no-screens-before-bed rule not arbitrary, but physiologically necessary. Quality sleep literally cleanses your child’s brain, washing away toxins that accumulate during the day’s neural activity. Without this cleansing process, cognitive function, emotional regulation, and learning capacity—areas where neurodivergent children already struggle—become even more challenging. By tailoring sleep routines to your child’s unique sensory profile, you’re not just improving nights, you’re setting them up for better days and creating positive ripple effects throughout your family life.

Podcast

Emotion Dysregulation in Children with ADHD: Parenting Tips | Dr. Amy Moore

Amy Moore, PhD

Ever wondered why ADHD meltdowns seem so extreme and hard to manage? The answer lies in a crucial but often overlooked aspect of ADHD—emotional dysregulation—which surprisingly isn’t even included in diagnostic criteria.

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Teri dive into some neuroscience behind these emotional challenges, exploring fascinating brain differences that explain why criticism can trigger an emotional tsunami in someone with ADHD. With approximately 80% of adolescents and adults with ADHD experiencing rejection-sensitive dysphoria, understanding these brain-based reactions transforms how we respond to emotional outbursts.

Through a real-life parenting example about screen time limits, we demonstrate practical strategies for navigating boundaries without triggering meltdowns. You’ll learn why co-regulation (bringing calm to emotional fire) works better than punishment, how to teach responsibility rather than enforce compliance, and why narrowing choices helps ADHD brains make decisions when they’re paralyzed by too many options.

Most importantly, we reframe discipline as teaching rather than punishment. The word “discipline” comes from “disciple,” meaning to teach—and our goal should be equipping those with ADHD with skills to navigate their emotional landscape independently. We explain why consistency and repetition are crucial, and why working memory, long-term memory, and processing speed deficits (not just attention issues) create everyday challenges.

Whether you’re raising a child with ADHD or managing it yourself, this episode offers compassionate understanding alongside practical, science-backed strategies to transform your approach to emotional dysregulation. Come away with tools to turn frustrating interactions into opportunities for growth and learning.

Podcast

Cognitive Skills Conversations: Series Highlights | Dr. Amy, Sandy, Dr. Jody, and Kim Hanson

Amy Moore, PhD

Is your child struggling in school? On this mash-up from our Brainy Moms podcast special series on cognitive skills, we share all the highlights on what cognitive skills are, how we use them, and how to strengthen them. Listen to clips from Sandy’s interviews with our experts Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody as well as a guest appearance from Kim Hanson. In this engaging episode, we demonstrate a mental task that illustrates the interplay of memory, attention, reasoning, auditory and visual processing, and processing speed skills at work. Our lively discussions cover how each skill contributes to problem-solving and why strengthening them is crucial for both children and adults. Discover insights that will help you identify red flags as well as how to nurture these skills for academic and life success. This episode is packed with practical insights for parents eager to support their children’s cognitive development and understand the impact of these skills on learning.

Podcast

Parenting Teens: Curfews, Dating, and Clothes | Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy discuss some hot topics parents face when raising teenagers. They explore three main areas: curfews, dating, and clothing/hair choices, and provide practical tips for minimizing conflicts about those topics. Sharing personal anecdotes and expert advice, they emphasize the importance of flexibility, open communication, problem solving, values-driven decision making, and mutual respect in these contexts. They also touch on the impact of technology on parenting and maintaining trust with teens.

Podcast

Political Differences in a Cancel Culture: Are We Helping or Hurting Our Kids and Teens? with Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy discuss the nuanced impacts of the election and cancel culture on our youth. We raise concerns about how some colleges are responding to election results, questioning whether these reactions might be hindering the development of resilience in students. By fostering respectful debates and exposing young people to multiple perspectives, we aim to nurture essential executive function skills. This episode is a call to action for parents and educators, encouraging them to guide children through political conversations without succumbing to the divisiveness that cancel culture breeds and without making assumptions that all youth are mourning the results. Join us in exploring some ways of navigating politics and media with kids. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about the intersection of politics and youth development, this conversation may leave you with plenty to ponder.

Podcast

Holiday Stress & Anxiety: Tips from Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

What if you could navigate holiday stress with a little more ease? This episode of the Brainy Moms podcast promises to equip you with insightful strategies for beating those seasonal pressures.

Holiday family dynamics can be a minefield, but Dr. Amy and Sandy have got you covered with thoughtful approaches to a little more harmony. As families expand and evolve, coordinating plans can become more challenging, especially when loved ones are absent. We talk about fostering meaningful connections, managing grief, and ensuring everyone feels included. Plus, we tackle the topic of holiday indulgences, offering tips for moderation and meeting dietary needs to keep celebrations joyful and stress-free.

We share our personal experiences and solutions, from the practical benefits of a Christmas share account to the art of mindful budgeting, ensuring you minimize the dreaded post-holiday debt. Discover cost-saving ideas such as gift exchanges and the three-gift rule, and learn how to strategically use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to your advantage without losing sight of what truly matters.

Embracing intentional holiday planning can transform how you experience this festive season. We explore how balancing activities and downtime can enrich children’s school vacations. Redefining traditions to reflect personal desires allows for a more authentic celebration filled with gratitude and kindness. By prioritizing what truly brings joy, you can shape a holiday season that strengthens relationships even amidst inevitable challenges. Join us!

Podcast

Picky Eaters, Nutrition, and Mealtime Strategies for the Developing Brain with Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and cognitive specialist Sandy Zamalis share how dietary choices can significantly impact brain development and cognitive performance in your children. From the powerhouse omega-3 fatty acids to essential proteins and carbohydrates, we break down the crucial nutrients your kids need for their growing brains. Learn practical ways to incorporate these brain-boosting elements into everyday meals and what to avoid for brain health.

For parents wrestling with mealtime battles and picky eaters, we tackle these challenges, too! Sensitivities to textures or tastes and a child’s desire for independence doesn’t have to be a source of stress. We share personal anecdotes and expert advice on creating a positive mealtime environment. Avoid the pitfalls and learn effective tactics to encourage them to explore new foods without resorting to making separate meals for each family member.

Lastly, turn your kitchen into a hub of creativity and learning by involving your children in meal preparation to foster autonomy and enthusiasm for healthy eating.

Podcast

Inattentive ADHD: Support for Your Child, Teen, and Spouse with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore chats with Sandy Zamalis about inattentive ADHD in children, teens, and adults. This subtype of ADHD is often overlooked and underdiagnosed because it manifests in behaviors that are less disruptive to a learning environment than the hyperactive subtype of ADHD. They share the criteria used to diagnose the inattentive type of ADHD, along with some strategies and techniques for supporting and communicating with a loved one with inattentive ADHD. Whether it’s a child, teen, or spouse with ADHD in your life, you can reframe your thinking to help from a place of empathy.

Podcast

Managing School Anxiety: Tips for Parents of Kids and Teens with Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis

Amy Moore, PhD

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist and counselor Dr. Amy Moore chats with Sandy Zamalis about back-to-school anxiety at different ages and stages. You’ll learn how some of the most common fears typically manifest in elementary, middle, and high school and how you can help support your child or teen. You’ll also hear tips on framing discussions about school and which behaviors may indicate more than “typical” anxiety, perhaps requiring an intervention such as therapy, medication, or an intervention for learning struggles. This is a jam-packed episode with useful tips from host and parents who are also professionals in their fields so you don’t want to miss out!

← Previous