Have you ever struggled to learn a new skill? If so, you should familiarize yourself with the "Natural Human Learning Process (NHLP)", which can help you understand how the brain learns in stages and how emotions affect learning. If you take the time to learn and use NHLP, then mastering a new skill will be easy. In order to use the natural human learning process, you must first know what it is. The “Natural Human Learning Process” is a research project by Dr. Rita Smilkstein. She found that all humans learn by going through the same six stages (called NHLP). The first step is “motivation”. To learn something new, you have to be motivated to put in the effort. Motivation can range from money to social status. The second stage is the “beginning of practice”. This is the trial and error stage; you have just discovered your new skill. You just get the basics. The third stage is “advanced practice”. At this point, you're still not good at your skills, but you're on the right track. The fourth step is “skill”. You begin to master your new skill, you begin to see progress, and you gain confidence. The fifth stage is “refinement”. You master the basics of the skill, but you continue to improve and expand your abilities. The sixth step is “mastery.” At this point you are ready to teach, you have done it! (Smilkstein)Now that you know what NHLP is, how do you use it? While learning to drive, I used the NHLP: “Motivation” Step 1. My motivation was freedom; I no longer wanted to depend on my parents to get me around. I wanted to be able to come and go whenever I wanted. After finding my motivation, I moved on to the second stage of “initial practice”. I started by skimming an empty essay in the middle of a paper, not that I had another part to write. I will also use this knowledge at work or whenever I learn something new. If I start to feel distracted or frustrated when learning something new, I will take a break until I calm down, so my body can produce endorphins. The NHLP is like a learning guide. If you know the six parts of the NHLP and dendrites and know how emotions affect the learning process, then learning a new skill should be easy, or at the very least easy compared to learning the same skill if you didn't do it. know the NHLP. This has already made and will make my university homework easier. Works Cited Smilkstein, Rita. We were born to learn: using the brain's natural learning process to create today's curriculum. Thousand Oaks, California. Corwin Press, 2003..