Doodles Activate the Brain's Reward Pathway

(Image - Kate's Classroom Cafe)

Have you tried letting students doodle when they are frustrated?  

Research from Drexel University found that art-making, including doodling, resulted in the activation of feelings of reward.  A 3-minute session led to greater blood flow in the brain's reward pathway.

Next time a student is having a tough time, try giving him/her a piece of paper and a pencil.  Even better... colored pencils or markers.  You may see a change in their mood which will allow you to begin to talk through the problem.

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Article:  Making Art Activates Brain's Reward Pathway

Full Study:  Functional near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of reward perception based on visual self-expression: Coloring, doodling, and free drawing