Myelination

The strengthening of connections between brain cells (neurons) and the communication spaces between them.

Closely related is Hebb's Law: "Neurons that fire together, wire together".

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Key Insights & Principles

Personal Growth

1. The repeated practice of specific skills strengthens relevant parts of the brain that help those skills become natural impulses.
2. Myelination is the reason why good or bad habits become automatic or default.
3. Myelination is a slow process: expertise requires ongoing practice.
4. We can change skills and behaviours at any age.
5. The process of myelination works when we can break processes into manageable, repeatable chunks of skill acquisition.
6. Myelination is triggered when we focus on something specific, without distraction.
7. Sleep is important for myelination production.

1. Practice, and repeat.
2. Focus without distraction.
3. Break skill acquisition into manageable chunks and milestones.
4. Get adequate sleep.

Child Development

1. Approximately 80 percent of myelination is complete by the age of four.
2. Raising a balanced human in a positive, loving environment is easier than trying to heal a human that faced childhood trauma.
3. Brain plasticity is greatest in youth, when it is easier to embed skills and positive habits.

1. Provide the environment for children to practice good habits and skills without distraction.
2. Encourage learning through repeated effort, trial and error.

Book References