What is Brain Gym?
Brain Gym is a program of physical movements that enhance learning and performance in ALL areas. Brain Gym includes 26 easy and enjoyable targeted activities that integrate body and mind to bring about rapid and often dramatic improvements in:
concentration, memory, reading, writing, organizing, listening, physical coordination, and more. Brain Gym develops the brain's neural pathways the way nature does – through movement. Brain Gym began in the 1970’s with the work of educators Dr. Paul Dennison and Gail E. Dennison. Originally, the Dennisons were seeking more effective ways to help children and adults who had been identified as “learning disabled.” They drew from a large body of research by developmental specialists who had been experimenting with using physical movement to enhance learning ability.
The Dennisons produced an innovative new approach to learning: the Brain Gym activities, and the field known as Education Kinesiology (Edu-K), “learning through movement.”
Today Brain Gym supports people of all abilities in making wide-ranging changes in their lives. Brain Gym is used in more than 80 countries and is taught in thousands of public and private schools worldwide and in corporate, performing arts, and athletic training programs.
What are we trying to do?
Our goal is to reduces stress, encourage a healthy diet, provide for sufficient exercise, teach your child to be more in control of their movements and emotions. Many people can not learn if they just 'sit and study'. Learning is not complete until there is some output, some physical personal expression of thought . Just as most of us, when thinking about a problem, will take a walk or draw or play with a pen, so too our children need to couple physical activity with learning. The Brain Gym® movements are designed to be very simple and can be done anywhere yet they are very effective. You can do a 'hookup' or 'brain button' even during a test. Stress would be relieved and they could continue with the test. "Movement profoundly improves not only learning but creativity, stress management and health."
By using a combination of diet and exercise regimen along with Brain Gym® movements, we hope to help your child learn how to learn effectively. The sensory dominance assessment will help your child, and you, understand what they need to do to retain more of what they see and hear. It will also give you an indication of how they learn (what senses are used for their main information gathering). We do not all learn the same way; if their primary sensory input is hearing, they will not look at you when they concentrate on what you are saying (and that can be irritating). The Brain Gym® movements will help them control themselves. With these, they will be able to train their fine motor movements, coordinate eye movement, stimulate the development of neural networks, find ways to help themselves reduce stress, and other benefits. The exercises in this program are designed to provide bilateral movement which will further help build the necessary neural links for cross-lateral motor control. They will also increase fine motor movement, increase their self-esteem, and reinforce their mental and physical ability to focus. It will also provide enough exercise to increase heart and lung capacity. In addition, this is a non-competitive and co-operative physical education exercise that is meant to be fun. This will reduce the STRESS factor considerably. Dr Hannaford has pointed out the source of stress for our children are: Developmental (lack of movement, lack of touch); Electrical (low water consumption, low lung oxygen capacity); Nutritional (diet concerns); Medical (low birth weight, chronic ear infections, allergies, medication, poor sleep, etc.); TV/computer/video games (violence, decreased imaginative development, ocular lock, less interactive communication); Competition (inappropriate expectations, pressure from home or school, pressures toward social conformity, competition in sports and in art, learning in a winner/loser attitude); Ridged educational system (constant low-level skill testing, lecture/writing format, quiet class rooms, unawareness or inattention to unique learning styles, developmentally inappropriate curricula) .
It is very important for you to work with your doctor regarding your child’s medications and health. As in every physical exercise class, you need to check with your physician to be certain that your child is in good heath and can perform the physical demands of this exercise. If your child is taking medication, you must not change this medication without consulting your physician. I know of no physician who would not want to reduce or eliminate medication when possible, by working with the doctor, you child will receive the most benefit.