Tip: ADHD Behaviors; Sit or Stand?

Have you noticed that some kids and adults, too, find it hard to stay seated when they are working? This isn’t new. Winston Churchill wrote most of his books standing up at a “standing desk". Standing desks are available today too. I recently saw a desk constructed for those who like to stand which also allowed them to swing a leg. However, these desks are a bit pricey, so it maybe more practical to let kids stand while working. For some it works better. The movement can help them to focus better.

Tip: ADHD Behaviors; Constant tapping

You know how it seems like some kids are constantly tapping with their fingertips? It can be very annoying and distracting to you and those around them. However if they are tapping on their leg, arm, or something that makes no noise, it doesn’t bother anyone.

The tapping helps them to focus for now until they can learn other tools to help them. As I’ve asked “tappers” to tap on their arm or leg, I’ve found them happy to do so and we are all calmer and happier.

An Experience: 8 year old had difficulty staying on-task and awake in classroom

Yesterday I wrote about whole brain learning. As I have worked with children in the school setting, it has been interesting to me to note that some have a difficult time crossing their midline. I have noticed this as I have taught classes Brain Gym Activities and worked with them individually. I have observed this more readily as they do "cross crawls". They have trouble touching their elbow to the opposite knee. When they have trouble doing this, it is an indication that they are having the same difficulty with using both sides of their brain or the whole brain. It is not surprising to note that they are children who struggle in learning.
Last week I had a young boy come to see me who was having a very difficult time staying awake and on task in his classroom. As we did cross crawls, he could not get the opposite elbow and leg working together to meet. When I simplified it by having him touch his hand to the opposite knee, he was able to do that. After he had done that a few times, he was able to practice getting his elbow to the opposite knee more easily. When he returned to class, he was more alert and better able to function in his classroom. Later in the day, I suggested to the teacher that he do cross crawls in the classroom and/or the class do some Brain Gym Activities together as a part of their routine.
*He loved doing the Brain Gym Activities even though he was a little frustrated when he couldn't get his body to do it "right" at first.

Whole Brain Learning

In "About Under the Learning Tree" it says that we promote " whole brain learning to enhance learning and to set and reach goals in all of life's arenas." Some of you may ask, "What does that mean?
Whole brain learning is when we are engaging all areas of our brain in the task at hand. There are times when the right and left lobes of our brain aren't speaking to each other. There are times when most of the energy in our brain is in the brain stem and/or base of the brain. When this happens we are not able to engage in whole brain learning.
To understand the difference think about when you are upset, angry, or even excited. Do you make your best decisions when you are experiencing those emotions? If you are like I am, you will say, "No". The reason is that when we are feeling angry, upset, etc., most of the energy in our brain is in the central brain and/or brain stem. We are in survival mode and not using the lobes. The network of nerves between the left and right lobe are more of a wall instead of a working communication network. Thus we aren't benefiting from the whole brain. You know how that feels. Now think of a time when you are learning something new and it makes sense and is easy to understand, working through a problem, or doing well with your favorite sport. You know how that feels too. When we think about it we know what whole brain learning feels like. So how can we engage our whole brain when it isn't working together?
An easy way to turn the "wall" into the a communicating network again is movement. Any movement helps, but movements which are crossing the midline that divides our body right and left will benefit the most. A couple of Brain Gym movements you can use are cross crawls and lazy 8s. If you don't know them, use movements that take your arms, legs, and/or even eyes from one side of your body to the other. It is exciting and powerful to know that we can be in control in these types of situations to know that we are the ones in charge!

Brain Gym® Activities in the Classroom

Brain Gym Activities were first developed by educator and reading specialist Paul E. Dennison and his wife and colleague, Gail E. Dennison. Since their development, these simple, easy to do activities have been reported to be fun and effective by teachers, students, and clients. Dramatic improvements are often seen in some of these areas: concentration and focus; memory; academics: reading, writing, math; test taking; physical conditions; organizational skills; and attitude.

Teachers who use Brain Gym Activities with their classes and/or small groups say:

“I’m liking it. It brings us together and calms us each morning.”

“We love Brain Gym mostly because it gives us a breather, helps us reconnect and focus?”

“Brain Gym movements were a great transaction activity for our classes. The kids were able to re-focus as we moved between activities. “

“ Many of the students said they transferred it and were using it at home.”

“I used BG with my math students. I noticed when we used it that one student had less frustration and didn’t refuse to do his work. With the other 3 it did calm them down during math, but the biggest difference was with the one student.”

“I used BG each day at the beginning of one of my groups. One of my students went from almost every day time-outs. I don’t know what it was, but it made a difference.”

“I have used brain gym for over 5 years with my students. They have been apprehensive at first, but they have been able to see the benefits of being able to do “exercises” to help them focus. They have used it to help with taking long tests, daily activities, and it has helped them with their ADHD, as well. They enjoy being able to lead the class in Brain Gym activities too. It has been very beneficial.”

What is Brain Gym ®? What Are Brain Gym® Activities?

Brain Gym describes a specific set of movements, processes, programs, materials, and educational philosophy. It is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation (Brain Gym® International).

Brain Gym Activities are the original 26 activities. These activities enhance the experience of whole brain learning and make all types of learning easier. Initially, they were developed to use with academic learning where they were found to be especially effective. They also have been found to be equally effective in all of life’s arenas.