Chapter Two HOW IT ALL WORKS: WHAT THE BRAIN HAS TO DO WITH SEL While some kids are naturally balanced, resilient, insightful, or empathic, each child’s brain is also plastic and able to grow and develop based on the integrating experiences the child undergoes. —Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience In Your Child, p. 24. I was trying to teach my 3-year-old Jamie Rose table manners. We were having a discussion about using forks, not fingers, and I was not at my best and brightest. Me: Please use your fork. Don’t eat like a—a—caveman. Jamie Rose: What’s a caveman? Me: Someone who doesn’t use a fork. Long pause. Jamie Rose: I know about cavemen. Me: What do you know? Jamie Rose: They used elevators. Me: Elevators? Jamie Rose: To bring their food to their mouth.