BrainWise Problem Solving Worksheet Helps Students Practice Executive Functions
Posted On: July 9, 2026Difficult school experiences can quickly erode students’ curiosity and interest in learning. When they fear failure, their Lizard Brain takes over—triggering anxiety, confusion, shame, and discouragement. Students rarely say, “I’m afraid I’ll fail.” Instead, they send red flags: avoiding contact, acting out, skipping classes, or eventually dropping out.
Across decades of research addressing this problem, one finding stands out: Supportive relationships with teachers, peers, and caring adults are among the strongest predictors of whether students persist through school challenges. Young people who develop defeatist attitudes toward school benefit enormously from adults and peers who help them stay engaged and motivated (Link to research).
The 10 Wise Ways: Building Executive Functions. After decades of research, scientists have shifted from assuming thinking skills were innate toward understanding that they must be learned, practiced, and reinforced.
BrainWise teaches students that their five senses send signals to the brain (Issue 103: The Five Senses). Next, they learn about the brain’s neuroplasticity and how practicing new skills strengthens the brain pathways that connect to the prefrontal cortex—their Wizard Brain (Issue 102: Teaching Scientific Research). They recognize that the brain’s hardwired fight‑flight‑freeze response in the limbic system—the Lizard Brain—will take over with emotional, impulsive reactions. Learning the 10 Wise Ways/executive functions redirects the warnings away from the Lizard Brain to their Wizard Brain.
This is why practice is not optional—it is essential. Without this sustained practice, the Lizard Brain’s emotional and impulsive reactions regain control. With it, students build the cognitive wiring that allows the Wizard Brain to stay in charge.
Read more to learn about the magic of having teens teach and reinforce BrainWise with younger students. https://conta.cc/4dXnsdz
