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length andmultiply it by 3.14. If your child is old enough, they can do the math themselves. With the results, measure out a new thread of string, and place it in a circle around the object you measured before. It should fit the circumference almost perfectly! Seeing howmath concepts operate can help your child realize how tangible math really is and become less intimidated by it. Exercising Memory With Pi You alsomight want to try teaching your kids the numbers of pi with“The Pi Song”onYouTube! Your childmight even surprise themselves. One hundred digits of pi are included in the song, and it’s quite memorable, so you can see howmany digits they can remember! It’s great practice for future quizzes at school about pi. Plus, rewarding themwith circular treats like cookies or pie will make the activity evenmore fun. Exploring Pi With Pie Bakingmakes any holiday more fun, but on Pi Day, it can even be educational. Bake a pie or pizza with your children to teach them the steps of baking, but emphasize the mystery of pi while
your children in the kitchen for Pi Day, youmight not only be influencing their mathematical and creative curiosity but also giving them long-term positive memories associated with that activity. If you ever feel particularly festive about National Pi Day, Amazon carries actual pi- shaped (as in the symbol π) baking pans and pizza slicers that might amuse your kids. If you get creative, you can spend Pi Day with your family in many ways and enjoy all of its mysteries, fun, and even a slice of pie.
you do it. Nomatter how big youmake the pie or pizza, the ratio of the circumference to diameter will always be pi. Baking with your child has other benefits, as well! Cooking and eating, especially with loved ones, tend to create the most powerful memories because they evoke almost every function of our hippocampus, which is the part of our brain that specializes in our emotions, memories, and the hormones that regulate appetite, digestion, and eating behavior. By spending time with
HEADS OR TAILS? The Scientifically Smarter Way to Make Business Decisions
a conscious decision that agrees with the subconscious solution of your basal ganglia, your brain gives off a subtle reward. The decision doesn’t have to be logical to feel right — that’s your gut feeling. However, if the conscious and subconscious parts of your brain don’t agree, your insula detects the discrepancy and registers a threat. It’s the “I have a bad feeling about this” response. Fabritius and Hagemann note that gut feelings “represent the most efficient use of your accumulated experience.” According to the authors, flipping a coin is the best way to really listen to your basal ganglia and insula. Your subconscious brain has already made a decision; flipping a coin helps you test your intuition about each option.
You have two options in front of you. They both sound great, are backed by research, and could transform your business for the better, but you can only choose one. Which do you commit to? When you’re faced with two equally worthwhile options, science says the best way to make a decision is to flip a coin. When you flip a coin, you’re not really leaving the decision up to chance; you’re actually calling on your intuition to guide you. The practice is often regarded as unscientific, but there’s a lot of research to support making intuitive decisions. Friederike Fabritius and Hans W. Hagemann, authors of “The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better, Happier,” explain how we develop that “gut feeling.” Intuitive decisions are driven by two structures in your brain: the basal ganglia and the insula. The basal ganglia are connected to movement and building habits. The insula, part of the cerebral cortex, becomes engaged when you experience pain, feel love, listen to music, or even enjoy a piece of chocolate. Neuroscientists believe the insula is responsible for self-awareness, particularly for recognizing changes in your body.
If the coin lands on heads and you feel relieved, then heads is the right choice. However, if the coin lands on tails
and you’re uncertain or want to flip again, then that’s your intuition saying the other option is the better choice. So, the next time you’re caught in a pickle, grab the nearest quarter and put your intuition to the test.
When you have to solve a problem, your basal ganglia start working on a solution, even if you aren’t consciously thinking about it. If you make
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