Brain Architecture Game

Explore the powerful role of relationships on the developing brain.

Brain Architecture Game hero image

The Brain Architecture Game is an experiential learning tool that builds understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early childhood brain development – what promotes it, what derails it, and what are the consequences for society.

Participants in the Brain Architecture Game explore how the first five years of life are critical in building brain development for the rest of our life. The keys to brain development are communication and relationships between child and parent, healthy stress, or toxic stress.

During the Brain Architecture Game, participants build a mock brain out of pipe cleaners and straws. The goal of the game is to build a brain that is tall, which represents functional brain ability, but is also as strong as possible so that it won’t collapse in later years under the burdens of stress.

Participants will build a child’s brain based on the scenarios provided. Positive experiences earn a pipe cleaner and a straw for support. Negative experiences? Pipe cleaner, but no straw. After the initial period of early childhood brain development, weights must be hung from the structure of the brain when life hands out stressors.

Afterward, groups use the notes in their Life Journals to discuss the experiences that strengthened, or weakened, the architecture of their developing brains.

This facilitated session takes approximately 90 minutes from start to finish.

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If you’re interested in taking part in the Brain Game, contact contact us.

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Main Office

15132 Stony Plain Road Edmonton, AB T5P 3Y3

InKind Exchange Office

14710 112 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5M 2T9

United Way’s Commitment to Reconciliation

We are all Treaty people. United Way acknowledges our connection to one another, here on Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Nation of Alberta Region #4. The diverse Indigenous Peoples of this land include the nêhiyawak, Blackfoot, Dene, Anishinaabe, Nakota Sioux, Inuit, and Métis. Many of our staff are settlers living and working in this Territory. We all have a responsibility to uphold the spirit and intent of the original treaties and build relationships, trust, and understanding. We are grateful for the resources, knowledge, and culture Indigenous people share with us as we walk the path towards reconciliation together. We honour and respect Indigenous contributions supporting our work to ensure no one in our community is left behind.

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