Brain Gym is a series of simple movements used to enhance whole-brain learning. These activities are designed to make all types of learning activities easier and are especially effective with academics.
These movements enable us to access those parts of the brain previously inaccessible. Sometimes the changes are immediate. Other times the changes take some time as we learn how to receive information and express ourselves simultaneously.
This can be done individually or in groups and is designed to help cross midline.
Focusing is the ability to cross the participation midline (front to back). Students without focus are often labeled ADHD or language-delayed.
Centering is the ability to cross the upper / lower body midline (emotions and abstract thought). Students that are not centered are emotional, fight-or-flight.
Laterality (sidedness) is the ability to cross the central midline. If students can’t cross the center midline, they may be identified as LD.
These movements enable us to access those parts of the brain previously inaccessible. Sometimes the changes are immediate. Other times the changes take some time as we learn how to receive information and express ourselves simultaneously.
This can be done individually or in groups and is designed to help cross midline.
Focusing is the ability to cross the participation midline (front to back). Students without focus are often labeled ADHD or language-delayed.
Centering is the ability to cross the upper / lower body midline (emotions and abstract thought). Students that are not centered are emotional, fight-or-flight.
Laterality (sidedness) is the ability to cross the central midline. If students can’t cross the center midline, they may be identified as LD.
The kids love doing Brain Gym every day.
If I forget... they remind me.
Every day, I choose a song (between 4 and 7 minutes). Students spread out around the room leaving arm space between them so they don't bump into each other. Each movement lasts 30-60 seconds (depending on how long the song is that I chose). There are 6 movements that we do every day.
We've even been lucky enough to have been invited into other classrooms to teach other students how to do Brain Gym. The kids were excited to shine as the Brain Gym experts.
We've even been lucky enough to have been invited into other classrooms to teach other students how to do Brain Gym. The kids were excited to shine as the Brain Gym experts.