Reflex Integration Needed for Learning

Early motor development of a healthy child and child with Cerebral Palsy

Svetlana Masgutova's extensive article does a masterful job describing how a healthy sensory-motor system develops and what goes wrong with children with Cerebral Palsy. According to Dr. Masgutova, “Maturation of the nervous system involves the inter-connection of reflex circuits. The role of these latter phases is to expand the development of a reflex in order to create the groundwork for reflex integration with motor skills and abilities. This supports the development of academic skills such as elementary reading, drawing, writing, and calculating. Delayed reflex development, or the omission of any phase, adversely affects the formation of future skills.”

CranioSacral Therapy and Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder: How CranioSacral Therapy Can Help

According to Tad Wanveer’s article, “CST, CranioSacral Therapy has been successfully used to help the brain decrease levels of abnormal inflammation, sensation, tension, toxicity and chaos leading to greater ease and efficiency of nervous system processing, which often manifests as a reduction of ASD systems.” Spend time reading more about CST on The Upledger Institute website, including natural headache relief . Once again, the body/brain shows natural healing capacity.

Integrate Psychiatry and Neurology

Helping traumatized children like Justin raised like a dog

Read this interesting interview with Dr. Bruce Perry, co-author of the book, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog. I like Dr. Perry’s statement, “We need to learn how to use psychotropic drugs in a way that is responsible and is a true adjunct to treatment, as opposed to a cop-out.” The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate convincingly the body/brain’s remarkable capacity to revise itself through sensory and motor stimulation designed to strengthen its function. I also applaud Dr. Perry for his peace initiatives based on neuroscience.

Ultimate Body/brain Resource

Neuroscience Education Resources Virtual Encycloportal

NERVE is an amazing website sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience. Enter the Subject/Theme, the Grade/Level and the Type of Resource you are seeking and presto! You will have free access to activities, animations, assessments, newsletter articles, case studies, curriculum materials, fact sheets, games, images/clip art, interactive web experience, journal articles, movies/videos, Podcasts/RSS feeds, pamphlet and booklets, Online exhibits, PowerPoint/slides, software, tutorial, and many links to Web resources related to neuroscience – phenomenal!

Attack LD with Martial Arts

Martial Arts Helps People with Learning Disabilities

Deb Fjeld’s article in Toolbox Parenting cites compelling reasons to involve children in Martial Arts. She includes physical, mental, social and emotional benefits, along with a brief neurological explanation pointing to Dr. Bruce Perry’s work with Pattern Repetition Stimulation. This therapy is helpful to children and adults recovering from brain trauma. I am very proud of Christian and Tianna my grandchildren advancing in their martial arts training. Visit ChildTraumaAcademy.com for a free Online Course on the Amazing Human Brain and Human Development.

Wellness Cheer Video

Experience the enthusiasm of International Wellness Coordinators

International Wellness Coordinators meeting for their first IWC Conference last month in Phoenix, Arizona joined me in a movement sequence that captures the essence of wellness promotion. Notice how passionate people are about vibrant living and learning. What an incredible conference this was, thanks in large part to the incredible enthusiasm of the participants! Jeff

Invest in YOR Health

Start by reading this excellent article on lifestyle and nutrition

This insightful article found on YOR.com relates today’s higher nutritional and environmental stresses on the body brain. Most statistics are taken from Nutrition Made Simple by Robert Crayhon, M.S., C.N., named one of the top 10 nutritionists in the U.S. by Self Magazine.

Get Serious About Play

Joyful, energizing, creative play boosts physical, mental and social skills

Stuart Brown’s research shared on TED website, speaks convincingly about plays involvement with human development and intelligence. It’s time we get serious about play, regardless of age. Watch this delightful video.

Cerebellum Key to Learning

Watch Prof Bellum's explanation about how the brain makes skills automatic.

Watch this video explaining how the cerebellum is involved with reading, writing, spelling, coordination, attention and memory. Expanded research of the cerebellum shows how movement is essential to learning. Thank you Dore.com for advancing the need for Physical Education in our schools.

Reflex Development Comes First

Build a strong neurological foundation supporting successful learning

Thad Trahan shares what New Zealand Educators are doing with Brain Based/Movement Based learning. He sent a video clip of a new DVD showing the importance of reflex development first so that learning can take place easier.

Thad visited schools in New Zealand in Oct 2006 and again in May 2007. He said, "It was very much like what is showcased on the DVD. There is a real passion for learning at all levels in their schools."

Thad teaches Double Doodle Play. It is part of the Educational Kinesiology program using the Double Doodle and other movements from Brain Gym® and Vision Gym® to explore and enhance visual perception and artistic expression. Participants gain finer understanding of the relationship among visual skills, hand-eye coordination, and creative expression. The course teaches the use of both hands in drawing and painting.

He also teaches Touch for Health, Bal-A-Vis-X (Balance, Auditory, Vision, eXercises) and is a consultant for Rhythmic Movement Training. Thank you Thad for your contributions!

Exercise ADHD Away

How Exercise Helps With ADHD Symptoms

Everyday Health features an article by Jean Rothman citing reasons why aerobic exercise helps people with ADHD. Don't be distracted by the CONCERTA drug ad for ADHD above and flashing to the side of this insightful article. Focus on how aerobics increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, naturally. Hats off to CONCERTA for making a concerted effort letting people know there are natural means to better sleep, improved focus, less depression, improved eating, stress management, less impulsivity, and a boost of attention.

Tea – The Wonder Drug

Understand the many health benefits of drinking tea

EnergeticPathways.com offers interesting articles and links including one citing the many health benefits of drinking tea. The difference between black and green tea is explained, as well as the many benefits including aging, allergies, arthritis, bone strength, cancer, cholesterol, heart disease, and weight loss. Thanks to the Dynamic Pathways Wellness Center for this fine article that has me drinking more tea!

Join Body Brain BOOSTERS

New Body Brain BOOSTERS group has formed

Wellness enthusiasts looking for the most effective ways to seek their vibrant living and learning potential have another opportunity to share throughts and experiences. Visit Body Brain BOOSTERS and invite your family and friends to join this Google group. Let's move on this!

Jeff Haebig

ADD and Dopamine

Impaired dopamine system and ADD are linked

Kathie Nunley, EdD., offers dozens of research-based body/brain articles especially designed for newsletters on her Brains.org website. Check out her Hot Topics from ADD to Violence, another great resource. Kathy is the originator of Layered Curriculum, a comprehensive sensory-motor enriching approach to meeting all learning styles.

Here is a HOT TOPIC that Kathie sends out with her free newsletters.

HOT TOPIC # 1: New research indicates that persons with Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD) may have a shortened perception of the time span of temporal events - particularly in working memory. This is suspected to be the result of an impaired dopamine system involving the prefrontal cortex. They tested this theory by checking what was the minimum tempo that rhythmic movement can be sustained in both persons with and withoutADD. It turns out that those with ADD have a rhythm cut-off that was much sooner than those without. Apparently these problems with dopamine delivery have recalibrated the internal clock that sets the time scale for our subjective thought process. Gilden, D. & Marusich, L. (2009). Neuropsychology. Vol 23(2), 265-269.

Followers of this blog know how large muscle movement over time, produces and pumps dopamine.

Preventing Childhood Obesity

Sustained Physical Activity Better for Preventing Obesity in Kids
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/549769/?sc=dwhn

Newswise reports research from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada showing that children who accumulated more activity in bouts (e.g., 5 minute segments) is less likely to be obese than children who accumulated more of their energy in a sporadic manner (e.g., 4 minutes and less). The research will be reported in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The real benefits of daily physical activity build the longer the activity is sustained. US guidelines recommend that school-age children participate in 60 minutes of daily activity. Families wanting their children to be active, need to be active themselves.

Quantum Healing – Energy Medicine

Learn how to heal yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually

Sherry Anshara founder of QuantumPathic Center of Consciousness has a mission to teach individuals how to heal themselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I felt her healing energy yesterday. I was sitting at a meeting and suffering from a painful stomach ache. Sherry noticed my discomfort, approached me during the break, and offered to help. Naturally I accepted. She applied pressure on various parts of my back. Her healing touch helped relieve my pain. I can’t say enough for her caring attitude. Visit Sherry’s website – she offers articles, videos, books on Energy Medicine.

Wellness Celebration – Ah Live Rally!

Capture the essence of vibrant living and learning.

We begin with a spirited sequence showing how body/brain cells and systems are created to ‘Supercise Energy with Exercise!’ Watch or participate as we make dendrites dance, synapses sing, and the hippocampus hop. Feel a mental and physical boost better than a triple espresso. Humor and celebration prevail as our community of wellness enthusiasts and friends heartedly express our life-enhancing mission with an animated, energizing cheer.

Meet passionate wellness professionals at the poolside social after this ‘Shake, Rattle n’ Show’ held at the International Wellness Coordinator’s Conference next week. Check back on this blog to watch the Wellness Cheer we create.

Build the Body Brain with Robust Play

Adaptive Indoor Physical Activities for Young Children are Fantastic Fun!

Toolbox Parenting, tips for tough kids… provides hundreds of helpful ways to develop your children’s mental and physical well-being. Jodee Kulp and her team offer sensory-motor developmental activities for kids indoors.

Rather than sitting in front of the TV or computer, actively playing creates new body and brain cell connections needed to live and learn vibrantly. Want your children to be robust… vigorous, full-bodied play is key.

Stop Harming Your Brain

25 Surprising Ways you are Harming Your Brain

Kelly Sonora from Online Degree World sent us this comprehensive article from their amazing blog. Thank you Kelly for sharing this extensive overview of current body brain research, citing ways to maintain a healthy brain.

Sleep excess and deprivation, smoking, Botox, excess stress, urban life, TV watching, head-banging, social inactivity, temper tantrums, caffeine regulation, lack of omega-3 fatty acids, alcohol excess, Aspartame, MSG, excess calories, headaches, and air quality are all mentioned in this article.

Fat-free Vegan Recipes

100s of oil-free vegan recipes are available on this healthy eating website!

Visit Fat-free Vegan Recipes for information about healthy low-fat and fat-free vegan diets and obtain hundreds of delicious recipes including Appetizers and Dip… Beans and Legumes… Beverages… Breads… Kid-friendly Recipes… Soups and Gumbos… Snacks... and so much more.

Vegan diets are free of meat, fish, and dairy foods. Proteins and other nutrients are provided through fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes and nuts.

TV Viewing and Cognitive Development

TV Viewing Before the Age of 2 Has No Cognitive Benefit

Newwise.com reported the first longitudinal study of its kind measuring the effect of TV viewing on young children’s language and visual motor skills. According to Michael Rich, MD, MPH a pediatrician who directs the Center on Media and Child Health and contributing author on this study, TV viewing before the age of 2 does not improve a child's language and visual motor skills. The study suggests that maternal, child and household characteristics are more influential to a child's brain development.

Dr Rich adds, “TV exposure in infants has been associated with increased risk of obesity, attention problems, and decreased sleep quality. Parents need to understand that infants and toddlers do not learn or benefit in any way from viewing TV at an early age."

Home Schooling Conference Shows its Stuff

Dynamic teaching and learning for all ages and learning styles

HENA, Home Education Network of Arizona is sponsoring a statewide conference on March 7th, for families involved or interested in home schooling. Examine the slate of speakers and topics. See how tuned people are to active learning. I am so disappointed I will have to miss this wonderful experience but applaud people for searching for the most effective practices that excite vibrant living and learning.

Tuna and Eggs Maintain the Brain

Get enough Vitamin B12 to help maintain the size and function of your brain

As an aging Vegan in large part, I am concerned about my diet’s impact on my brain as I am sure many other post baby boomers are. One of my favorite wellness websites RealAge.com featured a timely article related to diet and maintaining the size of the brain with Vitamin B12.

International Wellness Coordinators’ Conference

Interested in employee wellness and the bottom line health care costs?

If you are a Wellness Coordinator, Wellness Director, Benefits Manager, HR Director, Industry Market Leader or related profession that addresses employee wellness, be sure to attend this conference in Scottsdale, Arizona from March 11 to 13th. I am thrilled to be involved, conducting an entertaining, evening Wellness Celebration. Hope to see you there!

Jeff Haebig

Parenting Tools for Tough Kids

Discover new, effective ways to help difficult children

ToolBoxParent.com offers wholesome ways to manage troubled children. Dozens of free articles and links focus on… Positive Parenting, Creative Anger Management Techniques, Meds and Alternatives, Vitamins and Supplements, Links to Helpful Organizations, Activities for Bored Kids, Sleep Problems, and so much more!Developed by a super-team Deb and Nate Fjeld and author Jodee Kulp, http://www.betterendings.org/ this new website is another example of benevolence – passionate people sharing life-enhancing Tools and Tips with others in need.

Stopping ADHD Naturally

STNR Reflex may cause ADHD symptoms -- Integrating STNR is one non-drug solution

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex may be the root cause of Learning Disabilities and misdiagnosed as ADHD. Read the passages in the book Stopping ADHD by Nancy E. O’Dell, Ph.D. and Patricia A. Cook, Ph.D. describing the STNR reflex. It shows why many students are having such difficulty sitting still and focusing. Natural exercises from the Miriam Bender Achievement Center are used to mature this primitive STNR reflex. It’s another example of using a body brain enhancing non-drug approach to solving ADHD and other learning challenges.

Myomancy.com examines the Stopping ADHD book and comments on its validity.

ADHD – Medicate? Remediate?

Focus on root causes -- then use body-brain exercises to resolve problems

Rather than treating ADHD symptoms, neurodevelopmental specialists like Toni Hager, http://www.kidscanlearn.net/kids.htm identify, address and remedy parts of the sensory motor system causing the learning and behavioral problems. The body/brain strengthens itself using specific exercises that mature the visual, auditory, tactile, motor, vestibular, cerebellar or other systems causing the challenges.

Learning and the Brain 101

Moving and Improving Body-brain Function is Key to Learning Success

Let’s go back to the basics! Understand how the body-brain is wired to learn… and what happens to create static and short-circuits making learning difficult -- even for the most intelligent people.

Sue Hyland is our master teacher. Spend time on her amazing http://suehyland.co.uk/ website starting with, ‘What is NDD?’ You will see how Primitive and Postural Reflexes become the essence of learning. How NDD, Neuro-Developmental Delays lead to physical, intellectual, social and emotional difficulties.

Understand the root causes of learning and behavioral problems (e.g., reading, writing, numeracy, co-ordination, delayed speech and language, hyperactivity, ADHD, dyslexia, school phobia, impulsiveness, and much, much more). Then apply the natural (non-drug) methods designed to mature the sensory motor system, helping people of all ages achieve their living and learning potential. Hats off to our Master Teacher Sue Hyland!

Star in Your SUPER Know!

Feel a Super Glow... Pumping... Super Learning Chemicals

By Jeff Haebig

Star in this Super Video… Mimic the following movements…Star in your Super Know! High in your Super Dome! Feeling the Super Glow! Moving muscles... Pump, pump, pumping… Super Learning Chemicals… Like good-feeling Dopamine… Pleasure/reward chemical… Increasing its flow… Helps you feel more rationale… Less impulsive… More in control… Norepinephrine… Go-go chemical… Mental arousal… Serotonin steady… Adrenaline ready… Boosting attention… Sharpening focus… Stronger retention… Higher motivation… Happy celebration!

Available soon… on this Boogie Blog… Free for you!

Cerebellum Mindbody Marvels

The Treasure at the Bottom of the Brain Contributes to Motor and Mental Dexterity

Henrietta C. Leiner and Alan L. Leiner’s article posted on New Horizons for Learning website, describes the significant part the cerebellum plays in learning and language development. Containing more neurons than all of the rest of the brain combined, the cerebellum quickly processes information from sensory areas of the cerebral cortex, from motor areas, from cognitive and language areas, and even from areas involved in emotional functions.

http://www.newhorizons.org/ New Horizons for Learning website offers News from the Neurosciences – current research-based articles focused on Teaching and Learning Strategies… Transforming Education… Lifelong Learning… Special Needs… and Perspectives on the future.Reading this article helps explain why movement is key to vibrant learning. Recess and daily physical education helps speed the transmissions within the cerebellum. Learning classroom concepts using the cerebellum will help secure learning as it engages the mainframe cerebellum linked to major areas in the brain! Transforming education means that educators understand how the body brain learns best -- then move on it!

Jeff Haebig