Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular
“Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular” is a free, open-source educational program from Johns Hopkins designed to teach children in pre-K through 5th grade how to build and maintain a healthy brain.
Created by Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, the program uses stories, activities, and assessments to teach children about brain health through four different lenses — social, physical, emotional, and cognitive (SPEC). Grounded in neuroscience and developed with educators in mind, this program empowers children with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in a changing world.
Gorman sets the stage with this introductory video explaining the basics behind how our brains constantly change in response to the environment, how the brain controls — and is reshaped by — our behaviors, and how stress can be beneficial when managed effectively.
Ready to bring the “Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular” program into your school or community? In this final video of a six-part series, Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, walks through how the full SPEC program — centered on social, physical, emotional, and cognitive health — can be easily integrated into Pre-K through 5th grade classrooms.
Backed by 30 years of neuroscience research and developed in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, the program uses age-appropriate stories, lesson plans, hands-on activities, and flexible delivery models to help kids build lifelong brain health skills.
Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, parent, medical student, or volunteer, this video gives you everything you need to make neuroscience fun, accessible, and impactful for young learners.
Why is emotional health essential to brain development, and what happens when kids aren’t taught how to recognize or manage their feelings? In this video, Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, explores the neuroscience behind emotional behaviors and how they shape our ability to cope, connect, and thrive.
Covering everything from emotional regulation and empathy to brain plasticity and hormonal changes, this talk dives into why helping kids build emotional intelligence is just as important as teaching them math or reading.
Part of the “Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular” program, this video offers educators and caregivers insight into how emotional development supports lifelong brain health — and what simple, science-backed steps can help young learners grow.
What role does physical health play in supporting a healthy brain? In this video, Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, breaks down how movement, sleep, and nutrition work together to fuel brain development and boost adaptability across the lifespan.
From the surprising way sleep "washes" the brain to the powerful connection between gut health and emotional well-being, this engaging talk explains how everyday physical behaviors support neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to change and grow.
What is social health, and why is it crucial for brain development? In this video, Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, explores how our relationships, sense of self, and social environment shape the brain's ability to change — especially during childhood and adolescence.
Through the lens of the “Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular” program, Gorman explains how social behaviors like empathy, self-esteem, and connection are essential tools for brain development, supporting adaptability and lifelong wellness. Designed for educators, parents, and caregivers, this video shows how fostering social health among young learners helps lay the groundwork for a resilient, healthy brain.
“Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular” is a free, open-source educational program from Johns Hopkins designed to teach children in pre-K through 5th grade how to build and maintain a healthy brain.
Created by Linda Gorman, neuroscientist and Founder of Making Neuroscience Fun, LLC, the program uses stories, activities, and assessments to teach children about brain health through four different lenses — social, physical, emotional, and cognitive (SPEC). Grounded in neuroscience and developed with educators in mind, this program empowers children with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in a changing world.
Gorman sets the stage with this introductory video explaining the basics behind how our brains constantly change in response to the environment, how the brain controls — and is reshaped by — our behaviors, and how stress can be beneficial when managed effectively.