Children, Youth and Family Contemporary Issue Course: Neuropsychology and Children

This intensive course for seminary students is now open to a limited number of pastors and lay leaders as continuing education.

This year’s children, youth and family contemporary issues class focuses on neuropsychology and children. Our guest presenter is Tina Payne Bryson, the co-author of the bestselling book, “The Whole-Brain Child.” Bryson has been featured on many national media outlets. Daily, she helps parents, adolescents and children at The Center for Connection in Pasadena, Calif. This class is part of a John Templeton-funded project, Science for Youth Ministry. Therefore, we’ll particularly be interested in exploring how the neurological realities of development impact ministry with children, youth and their parents.

Students will read from the bibliography associated the topic and the guest lecturer will present. Luther Seminary’s Andrew Root will guide students theologically to seek to integrate readings, discussions and the ideas of a leading thinker.

More specifically, Bryson’s four lectures will focus on content from the New York Times bestseller “The Whole-Brain Child,” in which Bryson and Dan Siegel introduce parents and other caregivers to practical strategies based on cutting-edge brain science. A central principle of the book is that the strategies can help parents not only survive difficult moments with their kids, but actually use those very moments to help their children thrive. In these lectures, Bryson takes this central concept and applies it to working with children. The best strategies are the ones that not only help us maintain order and cover material effectively, but that also challenge kids to become all that they’re meant to be. Displaying her trademark warmth and humor, Tina uses video, discussion, stories and a wealth of personal experience to help her audience think more deeply about who they want to be as individuals, and how they want to interact with the young minds they’re nurturing and helping to grow. The latest scientific research—with a special emphasis on neuroplasticity and the changing brain—is presented in a way that’s clear, interesting and immediately practical.

Maximum enrollment: 25