The Importance of Metaphors
“The Brain is a Muscle”
One of my favourite metaphors in the world of education is “the brain is a muscle”. I love this phrase because it promotes a growth mindset: the idea that one’s skills and knowledge can be developed through effort and continuous learning. Individuals value the process of learning and embrace challenges. I preach a growth mindset as I try to learn from everything that I do. However, what makes this metaphor even better than the idea of a “growth mindset” is that like a muscle, if the brain is not being challenged then it will get weaker. After time, if the brain is not used then it will start forgetting things and losing its learning pathways. Now, is the brain actually a muscle?? No, it is an organ. That difference is what makes this statement a metaphor. As long as students understand that the brain is not actually a muscle but rather an organ and they understand the meaning of the metaphor then I think that this metaphor is extremely appropriate and beneficial. Additionally, it is easy for students to make the connection in their heads. I believe that when students hear this metaphor they want to challenge their brains and feed it knowledge to make their brain “bigger”. Having a growth mindset is important because it enables individuals to unlock their full potential and pursue continuous growth. This aligns with my learning philosophy as I believe that learning takes time and is a journey. Through this activity, I was able to practice my critical thinking skills and I developed a greater appreciation for metaphors.
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