We LOVE the brain and we are always teaching about it regardless of grade. Beginning in kindergarten, to help students become aware of their emotional states, self-regulation, and coping skills, we teach and reteach the importance of the brain. In particular we teach about three significant parts of the brain, the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Their ability to recognize and connect these to the choices they make with others in social situations, and alone in their rooms is vital for practicing healthy coping skills. We call this knowledge mindfulness. Mindfulness of self also helps with understanding others. In kindergarten, students come home with clay brains we make in class, ask them about them! They should be able to tell you what the functions of these particular brain parts serve as well as other facts about the brain. For the older students we tie it all into social decision making and coping skills,.