May 6 • General discussion
Follow up on brain plasticity
Ok so the topic of brain plasticity is interesting to many of you. I’ve received more PMs asking about it since there seems to be some level of anxiety about posting directly in this community. So I will try to fix that so that everyone is comfortable. This is the whole point of Skool. Community building.
But back to brain plasticity. Which I am more than happy to talk about. So here goes ….
Let’s start with a reference text book I used when teaching at Ottawa U. The Brain that Changes itself by Norm Doidge.
In a nutshell we used to think that once at “maturity”… approximate age mid 20s, our brains were “hard wired”. We now know that our kid’s brain is not “fixed” — it’s *trainable* (brain plasticity, in plain language). And so is a the adult brain, but we need to created the right conditions.
One of the most hopeful ideas I’ve ever learned as a parent (and outdoor educator) is this:
The brain can change.
Not just in little ways… in real, measurable ways.
This is called neuroplasticity (or brain plasticity).
So what is “brain plasticity”?
It means your brain is constantly adapting based on what you do repeatedly.
What you practice, you strengthen
What you avoid, you weaken
What you experience (especially emotionally) gets wired in deeper
And yes — new pathways can form at any age
The old adage; if you don’t use it you lose it very much applies. But you can also create an environment where you can do the opposite and optimize brain function.
This matters a lot for kids… because childhood is basically a “high-growth” season for the nervous system and also applies to adults.
Why this matters for parents (especially when you’re worried). Sometimes we look at our kids and think:
“They’re anxious.”
“They’re not confident.”
“They melt down fast.”
“They quit when it gets hard.”
“They can’t focus.”
“They’re behind.”
Brain plasticity doesn’t magically erase challenges — but it gives us a better frame:
Instead of “this is who my kid is,” we can think “this is what their brain has practiced so far.”
And practice can change.
The outdoors is basically a neuroplasticity playground. This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about wilderness skills for kids and adults.
Outdoors, humans naturally get repeated reps of the exact things that build stronger wiring:
1) Safe stress + recovery 🔥
A little discomfort (cold hands, wet socks, tricky trail)… followed by warmth, support, and success.
That teaches the brain: “I can handle hard things.”
2) Real feedback 🧭
A tarp either holds up or it doesn’t. A fire either lights or it doesn’t.
No grades. No shame. Just learning.
3) Attention training 👀
Tracking, listening, noticing patterns, reading the wind, spotting animal signs…
That’s focus — but it feels like play.
4) Confidence built on competence ✅
When a kid learns a real skill (even a small one), it changes how they see themselves.
Not “I’m confident because someone told me I am.”
But “I’m confident because I can do things.”
As for adults, the hormonal and neurotransmitter dump you get when you are LEARNING a new skill is where the magic happens. Physical structures and neural pathways physically changes inside the brain when you are learning. And the more beginner you are at something, the greater the impact on the brain.
A simple way to use this at home if you want to support your kid’s brain growth without turning life into a self-improvement project:
Pick one small skill and repeat it weekly for a month.
Examples:
lighting a fire safely (with supervision)
tying 2–3 basic knots
building a simple shelter with a tarp
map + compass “treasure hunt”
identifying 5 trees in your neighborhood
a 10-minute “quiet sit” to listen and notice
Keep it light. Keep it consistent. Celebrate effort.
And you as a parents DO IT also.
Because the brain responds to repetition + emotion. And positive reps stack.
You both gain.
Final thought
If you or your kid is struggling right now, it doesn’t mean you’re/they’re broken.
It might just mean their brain needs different reps, in a different environment, with the right kind of support.
That’s what we’re building in Outdoor Kids — real skills, real nature, real connection….improved skill acquisition and emotional balance at the end of the day… and then the next day….and the next.
(Book reference: The Brain That Changes Itself — Dr. Norman Doidge)
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Follow up on brain plasticity
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