In the book The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain, Thomas Armstrong shared the importance of "niche construction". It is about modifying the environment to suit our unique needs.
We see many examples of niche construction in nature: a beaver building a dam, bees creating a hive, a spider spinning a web, a bird building a nest. All of these creatures are changing their immediate environment in order to ensure their survival. Essentially, they’re creating their own version of a “least restrictive environment.” - Thomas Armstrong
One component of niche construction is "envisioning positive role models".Children (humans) are positively influenced by the adults they see in their daily lives. We know from social learning theories that one of the major building blocks children require in order to build complex behaviors in life is through adult modelling. Our mirror neurons fire not only when we do something, but also when we see others doing something.
ACTIVITY: IDENTIFYING OUR CIRCLES OF CONNECTION
In this exercise, think of the people you interact with on a regular basis. Where do you see them within these concentric circles?
REFLECT ON THE FOLLOWING:
Who are the people in your life that you engage with on a regular basis?
How are they related to you in terms of fondness, proximity, or depth of connection (the nearer to you, the deeper the connection)?
Where do you see these people influencing your niche construction, are they positive role models who are supportive, energizing and strengthening? or are they negative ones who are least supportive, highly critical and energy draining? Plot them in the circles of connection worksheet.
Looking at your circles of connection, what strikes you the most about who you engage with?
Are these people role models and promoting positive niche construction?
WHAT’S NEXT?
Stay tuned for our “Strengths Toolkit” that will be released mid of March in time for Brain Awareness Week! You can also get a free copy of the toolkit when you join us for our workshop on “ Rewiring our Brain to Lead with Our Strengths” on 16th of March, 2023.
Other events that we are hosting:
A 4-part learning journey on “Designing Neuroinclusive Classrooms Using Nonviolent Communication” facilitated by Lana Jelenjev
A Yearlong (5-sessions) “Community of Practice: Making Your Executive Functioning Skills Work for You” facilitated by Saskia Wenniger