We are proud to share this guest blog post by Angie Estes, M.Ed., ECSE, about left brain/right brain differences and how that helps us understand our brains better.
The Brain! Everyones got one . . . but what if we looked at it as TWO brains? In actuality, that is exactly what we have: two separate hemispheres that work together, but have some very important jobs of their own. As we look at each hemisphere individually, we understand better why each of us is “the way we are.”
Our Left Brain Hemisphere
Let’s start with our LEFT hemisphere. For the majority of us, this is our DOMINANT, or strongest side. Let’s think of this side as a GAS PEDAL. The left hemisphere is responsible for our APPROACH emotions and APPROACH behaviors; things like ANGER, FRUSTRATION, HAPPINESS, SURPRISE.
So what are some more things the left brain is responsible for:
- Being very literal, seeing things as “black or white”
- Very curious and inquisitive
- Tends to be impulsive or reactive
- Great at letter and number recognition
- Excellent at seeing DETAILS
- Strong with phonics and reading
- Clear articulation and early speech
- Great with math operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
- Very linear and logical thinking
- Repetitive behavior
- Prefers sameness, routines
- Tends to be a perfectionist
- Boosts small motor and fine motor skills
- Increases immune system and causes things like allergies, eczema and asthma
Our Right Brain Hemisphere
Now let’s take a look at our RIGHT hemisphere. We think of this side as a BRAKE PEDAL. The right hemisphere is responsible for our AVOIDANCE emotions and AVOIDANCE behaviors, things like DISGUST, FEAR, SADNESS, REMORSE.
This tends to be our creative side, but it’s so much more than just that:
- Sees the BIG picture
- Excellent reading comprehension
- Loves to “go with the flow”/have changes in routine
- Connects with emotions deeply
- Artistic/creative side
- Capable of more abstract thinking
- Better with word problems and story problems
- Great at understanding inferences (what’s implied)
- Picks up on social cues and non-verbal communication
- Our cautious and SAFE side
- Boosts large, core muscles/gross motor skills
- Decreases immune system, causing us to get sick often
Bilateral Connections
Needless to say, when one hemisphere is too much stronger than the other, the two sides will not create the powerful BI-LATERAL connections they need to bounce back and forth between each side and utilize all of our beautiful brain skills. When this happens, we start to have struggles. What does this mean? It means issues may manifest as a result of an OVERLY DOMINANT hemisphere.
Since most of us are LEFT “brain” strong, let’s look at that side first. Below are some common struggles that arise in this scenario.
Left Brain Dominance
An overactive LEFT hemisphere (gas pedal) may cause:
- Distractibility (poor attention)
- Impulsivity
- Hyperactivity
- Overactive auditory processing
- Poor non-verbal communication
- Poor eye contact
- Very literal
- Space invader (unaware of personal boundaries)
- Inappropriate social behavior
- Emotional reactivity (outbursts)
- 0–60 upset or frustrated
- Anxiety, fears, panic
- Misses big pictures
- Lack of self awareness
- Poor reading comprehension
- Poor math reasoning
- Lower spatial orientation
- Lower ability to connect with other
- Decreased ability to take ownership over their actions
- Clumsy, poor gross motor skills
Right Brain Dominance
Now let’s take a look at some of the struggles that manifest from an OVERLY DOMINANT RIGHT (brake pedal) hemisphere:
- Distractibility (due to slower processing)
- Slower initiation with new things
- Longer response times
- Misses many details
- Difficulty with phonics and reading
- Overly self aware (may be shy or timid)
- Holds onto hurts from past
- Poor math operations skills
- Weaker language skills
- Heightened sensitivities emotionally
- Feels emotions strongly and deeply
- Less of a risk taker, more cautious and safe
- Underactive immune response; gets every sickness that comes through the school
- May be more of an observer in social settings
Understanding Our Brains Better
Now, does this mean each of us neatly fall into one side or the other? Absolutely not! Many of us are quite capable of utilizing both hemispheres, because as adults, we’ve learned how to compensate and overcome some of these struggles in our daily lives. But children are a bit more transparent and driven by their dominant sides. Understanding which hemisphere drives YOU most of the time, will help you understand which side drives the CHILDREN in your life. Through training, it’s possible to learn specific strategies to increase your ability to meet a child “where they’re at” and provide the best level of support possible. This will also make YOUR life a lot easier, too!
Charter Moms Chats
Watch Angie Estes, M.Ed., MCSE, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on August 21 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.
Angie Estes, M.Ed., ECSE, is a behavioral and sensory regulation consultant. She has worked with children and their families for over 26 years, and has become adamant about understanding the issues children struggle with from the foundational level.
As the parent of a child with ADHD, Angie has made it her mission to explore every avenue available to ease her child’s suffering and to educate herself. She has spent over 15 years studying sensory integration, functional neurology, behavior, primitive reflexes, and mindfulness strategies. She has been blessed to work with and learn from physical and occupational therapists, play therapists, trauma and family counselors, and neurologists to grasp a deeper understanding of how most of the struggles children have, stem from a root cause that can be identified and supported.
Angie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and Development from the University of North Texas. Then, she completed her Master’s degree in Special Education from Texas State University.
Angie provides behavioral and sensory regulation guidance and coaching for families all across the United States and beyond. She plans on continuing her journey of learning and offering authentic support for parents who are seeking solutions for their children’s struggles so they can move forward towards a brighter, happier future.
Read More About Brains and Learning
- “Pediatric Constellations Helps Families Find Their Village,” Rosa Benavides and Sergio Rodriguez, San Antonio Charter Moms, April 23, 2024
- “The Day My Son Learned About His Seven Cognitive Skills and Decided to Pursue Medicine,” Erin Kirwan, San Antonio Charter Moms, May 3, 2023
- “Build Pre-Writing Skills Through Play with Occupational Therapist Jorge Ochoa of TamboRhythms,” Jorge Ochoa, San Antonio Charter Moms, July 5, 2022
- “If Learning Styles Are a Myth, What Do We Do Instead?” Mary Field, San Antonio Charter Moms, October 4, 2021
- “Vision Therapy Might Be the Solution for Your Child’s Learning Disorder,” Bekah McNeel, San Antonio Charter Moms, July 8, 2020
