Action Based Learning is Needed to Excel

Jean Blaydes Madigan sells DAILY Physical Education

Jean is this country's most dynamic advocate of daily Physical Education. Visit Jean's research-based website http://www.actionbasedlearning.com/index.shtml for an interesting array of resources, articles, products and programs that promote body brain fitness needed to excel academically. If you get a chance, attend Jean's highly entertaining and useful workshops. You will love her southern charm and exuberance!

Jeff Haebig

Reading Improves through S'Cool Moves

Develop the Magical Mind and Reading through Movement

Debra Em Wilson is a developmental reading specialist, author and educational consultant. She has developed physically engaging programs that improve children's reading skills through body brain activities. Her article http://www.schoolmoves.com/magical_mind.html cites many reasons movement is essential for school success. Check out Debra's programs, better yet, utilize them at home and at your school. Everone will greatly benefit with S'cool Moves!

Jeff Haebig

Upcoming BOOGIE Posts

Here are BOOGIE blogs you can look forward too!

12/18 Seek Wellness through Physical Fitness
12/17 Fitness is needed to be a Mom!
12/16 PE for Life Improves Reading and Math!
12/15 Dance and the Brain -- Doing and Viewing
12/14 Grow New Brain Cells with Exercise
12/13 Action Based Learning is Needed to Excel
12/12 Reading Improves through S'Cool Moves

Wellness Quest offers free DAILY Health Care-toons, wellness challenges, health benefits, inspirational quotes and jokes.

Are Big or Small Movements Best?

Which actions boost attention best – large or small?

That is an excellent question. There are many variables that we will soon address; for example, does the child prefer angular, twisting and rotating actions to stimulate their hypo-slow vestibular system, or linear forward and backward movements to calm their over-sensitive hyper vestibular system? Play catchy music and encourage people to move freely – watch how their body brain seeks the most satisfying movements.

You might offer a follow-along movement sequence that combines fine (small) and gross (large) motor movements, with age appropriate complexity that challenges the mind. Physcally connecting gestures to words or lyrics engages the auditory, visual and kinesthetic systems boosting attention. Crossing the body’s vertical mid-line stimulates both sides (hemispheres) of the brain.

In their own way, (moving big or small) encourage people to mimic gestures and echo the words shown on http://www.wellnessquest.com/videos.html. This Vibrant Learning Sequence engages the basal ganglia (brain’s transmission) connecting thinking, feelings and motion. This demands more attention-boosting dopamine (transmission fluid) to aid mindbody shifting. It's also the pleasure/reward chemical raising motivation. Memorizing the gesture sequence recruits the cerebellum, further boosting attentional centers.

Above all, encourage people to move freely in fun, safe and satisfying ways.

Jeff Haebig

Natural Ways to H.A.N.D.L.E. ADHD

New Perspective on ADD and ADHD with Natural Solutions!

The HANDLE Institute http://handle.org provides Highly Effective, Non-Drug, Holistic Treatment for Learning, Behavior and Other Challenges. What does HANDLE think about ADD/ADHD? Visit http://handle.org/index2.html and get their perspective. I like Judith Bluestone’s approach, addressing attention deficit as APD… Attentional Priority Disorder.

Activities are offered that strengthen the vestibular system and treat hypersensitivity of the senses including touch, vision and sound. Once again, the body brain has remarkable ability to strengthen itself through movement and exercise! Hats off to HANDLE for heading us down that natural path.

Jeff

Balancing is the Learning Breakthrough

Balance and Vestibular System Development is Key

Dr. Frank Belgau developed The Learning Breakthrough Program. At the University of Houston, he directed the Perceptual Motor and Visual Perception Laboratory. In particular, he focused on the effect of balance and the vestibular system and developed the Belgau Balance Board. Over decades, he established the use of the balancing activities made dramatic improvement in children’s reading and academic performance skills. Read about the astounding improvement at http://www.balametrics.com/results.htm, better yet, try Bala-Metrics and experience the improvements in intelligence, reading, and behavior yourself.

http://www.balametrics.com/theory.htm the Theory Behind The Learning Breakthrough

http://www.balametrics.com/explain.htm Marvelous series of articles relating balance to ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Handwriting, CAPD, Reading, and Academics. Topics include Multi-Sensory Integration, Spatial Awareness, Integration of Brain Hemispheres, Brain Timing/Reaction Time, Sequencing, Binocular Teaming, and Proprioception.

How Smart is Your Right Foot?

Take this quick hand and foot test.

You have to try this please, it takes 2 seconds. This will boggle your mind and it will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't. It's pre-programmed in your brain!

1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY) and while sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

I told you so! And there's nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.

Source of this fun article is unknown.

What makes S.M.A.R.T. So Smart

Extensive research shows S.M.A.R.T. has proven effectiveness.

Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training is a program that has proven its effectiveness preparing young children to succeed academically. Dr. Lyelle Palmer and participating schools have conducted fastidious research, documenting the effects of neurostimulating S.M.A.R.T. activities preparing children to succeed in school. The results have been significant, showing vast improvements in reading, writing, math and other academic skills.

http://www.actg.org/images/newsletters/08fall.pdf features the S.M.A.R.T. program in A Chance to Grow newsletter.

For more information go to the http://www.actg.org/ website. If you haven't participated in S.M.A.R.T. training... plan to... it is the best. Then bring S.M.A.R.T to your schools and watch the learning gap disappear as body brain maturity is realized.

Jeff Haebig