Sleep and Learning

                             Good Sleep – the Most Important School Supply

Sweet Dreams

Newswise cites Jodi Mindell’s article regarding sleep and learning.  WikiHow describes 12 steps to Sleep Better, 8 of which use natural, non-drug approaches.  Many other sleep articles are listed.  Enjoy The Lion Sleeps Tonight video, better yet sing along and move.  Expressing joy and movement throughout the day will help create nighttime comfort.  

SMART Approach to Learning

Research-based program delivers!

S.M.A.R.T. programs Stimulate Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training. The program provides multi-sensory stimulation which strengthens the visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, and vestibular systems involved in learning. Since reading, writing, spelling, sitting still, following directions, and other basic skills involved in academics require body-brain mastery, SMART provides a systematic, highly researched approach to help all children, especially those who are hardest to reach.

Physical Activity and Academic Performance

How does physical activity influence academic performance?

Leslee Scheuer and Debby Mitchell writing for SportaPolis review several research projects analyzing the effect of physical activity and academic performance. California’s Statewide Study of Physically Fit Kids, and Dwyer’s study of academic performance and fitness in children in Australia is briefly mentioned.

The conclusion stated in this article: “Enhanced brain function, energy levels, body builds/perceptions, self-esteem, and behavior have been attributed to physical activity and to improved academic performance. One cannot make direct correlations from the information offered. However it is obvious that many positive relationships have been suggested. Perhaps instead of decreasing physical activity, school officials should consider developing enhanced physical activity programs.”

Brain Gym ® Exercises

Simple PACE exercises prime the body and brain

A short article by Kenneth Beare writing for About.com describes four Brain Gym PACE exercises designed to help students become Positive, Active, Clear and Energetic. Other interesting body brain-enhancing articles are linked to this article. One needs to keep an eye on the research supporting these activities.

Race to the Top!

National Competition to Advance School Reform is Afoot… but?
Education Secretary Arne Duncan has announced the $4.35 billion dollar ‘Race to the Top’ program leading the way to school reform and innovation in classrooms, I wonder whether effective body brain enhancing methods featured on this Body-brain Boogie Blog, using exercise and movement to effectively build academic performance skills will be in the mix?

Read the press release. What do you think? Are we about to see more recess, Physical Education, and evidence-based methods using art, music, and movement to build academic performance skills… or is money going to be pumped into more extensive Testing and Awarding pursuits. Hearing Arne Duncan on the PBS Newshour enthusiastically refer to the Institute for Learning, I fear that Effort-based Education will be guiding the process.

When are we going to embrace Neuroeducation… and utilize the science showing how the body brain works best?

Why Exercise?

Reasons for exercising fails to include learning enhancement

AAOS, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggest reasons for exercising. I enjoy the content on their website, however, the reasons for exercising provided in the brief article fails to include the impact of exercise on the brain… and how it enhances memory, motivation, attention, and boosts academic performance skills – the focus of this body brain enhancing Blog. Still the AAOS website is well worth your time, especially the safety guides citing ways to prevent muscle and joint injury.

Music and the Brain Video

Master my movement routine to speed your body brain!

Current body brain research shows the significance of learning novel and complex movements to extend neural networks. The new, speedier connections created between the sensory and motor system are the same pathways used during academic pursuits (e.g., writing, reading, calculating, spelling). Myelin is being added, speeding visual and auditory processing along with fine and gross motor movements.

How long will it take you to memorize the movement sequence and lyrics? When you do master it, send me a video clip. I will send a free copy of my perpetual Health Care-toons Calendar, 365 Ways to Feel and Look Great to the first five respondents who demonstrate mastery doing the entire routine (reciting the lyrics and mimicking the gestures), straight through without stopping the camera!

Music and the Brain

Music training changes brain networks

The DANA website reports the most current research related to brain science. For those of us interested in ways to enhance body brain function, exciting research has been reported relating musical rehearsal on the developing brain. Research by Ellen Winner and Gottfried Schlaug shows, “that children who receive weekly music instruction and practice regularly perform better on sound discrimination and fine motor tasks. Furthermore, brain imaging shows changes to the networks associated with those abilities.” Sound discrimination is central to reading and fine motor movement is key to writing. Let’s convey this research to educators who often fail to understand the importance of music to academic performance.