Rocket tries to write his name with the hand he does not usually use. The letters wobble everywhere.
"This is impossible!" he groans.
Raven smiles. "What do you notice after you try a few times?"
Nova hovers over the paper. "Each try sends messages down the same path," she says. "Count your tries."
By try five, Rocket's letters look neater.
When you learn something new, messages travel from neuron to neuron.
They travel the same way over and over.
Soon the brain builds a pathway, a connection between those neurons.
Then the task gets easier, and you get better at it.
Think about riding a bike. At first you think about every part.
With practice, a bike pathway forms. Now you ride without thinking hard.
So a wobbly first try is not a failure. It is your brain building a road!
The cerebrum has two halves, one on each side of your head.
The right half controls the left side of your body.
The left half controls the right side of your body.
Wave your right hand. The left half of your cerebrum gave that order.
| Try | Seconds to trace a star (made-up practice numbers) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 40 |
| 2 | 32 |
| 3 | 27 |
| 4 | 22 |
| 5 | 18 |
These are made-up practice numbers. Use them to answer the next questions.
| Statement | True or false? |
|---|---|
| Practice helps the brain build pathways. | ? |
| A wobbly first try means you will never learn it. | ? |
| The right half of the cerebrum controls the left side of the body. | ? |
| Messages travel from neuron to neuron when you learn. | ? |
Way to keep trying! Tomorrow we plan a test of how fast your brain and hand work together.