Teachers:
Students who participated in Reading and Math Academy at Sunset View Elementary the last school year were encouraged to raise the level of their work by increasing their energy, excitement and enthusiasm to learn. Although our students were eager at the beginning of their sessions to work hard, we found that by the middle of the session students’ focus and concentration were fading. I asked, “What can we do to maintain the mental stamina that our students need to accomplish their work for a 30-minute session of reading or math?”
Brain Gym movements came to our rescue! Earlier during the year Sara Banister instructed the Academy tutors on the purpose of Brain Gym and encouraged us to use it in the tutoring lab. We were very pleased with the results after using Brain Gym. The Cross Crawls where students touch the opposite knee with the opposite elbow and alternate, making sure they cross their upper body, seemed to be the most effective brain gym movement that improved our students focus and encouraged positive student behavior. It also increased our students’ energy and enthusiasm for learning. Applying Brain Gym in the middle of a reading session took very little time, required no set-up, and was used whenever needed. How simple is that? Brain Gym is movement with purpose and it works!
Teriann Yamada
Kindergarten:
“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 our classes. The kids were able to re-focus as we moved between activities. “
Grades 1-6:
"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. I did it regularly at first, but the last couple of weeks we haven’t done it as much. Many of the students said they transferred it and were using it at home." Suzanna Graff
“I used BG with my math students. I noticed when we used it that one student especially 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.” Wendy Richens
“I didn’t use Brain Gym a lot, but I did find it useful to refocus the children when working at the rug. ( ex: interactive writing)."
“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.” Joan Peterson
Athlete:
I did brain gym to help with my athletics in high school. It helped mostly with wrestling which is high intense high stress. Brain gym helped me calm my nerves a ton. I was then able to focus better and consentrate more on what my objective was. I definitely recommend anyone do it to help them focus better and become more effective in whatever it is they are trying to do. McClain Griffin
"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. I did it regularly at first, but the last couple of weeks we haven’t done it as much. Many of the students said they transferred it and were using it at home." Suzanna Graff
“I used BG with my math students. I noticed when we used it that one student especially 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.” Wendy Richens
“I didn’t use Brain Gym a lot, but I did find it useful to refocus the children when working at the rug. ( ex: interactive writing)."
“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.” Joan Peterson
Athlete:
I did brain gym to help with my athletics in high school. It helped mostly with wrestling which is high intense high stress. Brain gym helped me calm my nerves a ton. I was then able to focus better and consentrate more on what my objective was. I definitely recommend anyone do it to help them focus better and become more effective in whatever it is they are trying to do. McClain Griffin
Individuals:
At the time of my Brain Gym sessions, I had gotten much anxiety that had taken over me. My mom had found Brain Gym and introduced it to me.
At the time of my Brain Gym sessions, I had gotten much anxiety that had taken over me. My mom had found Brain Gym and introduced it to me.
I felt that when my anxiety hit me. I would start by drinking water and head into my Brain Gym exercises. It would first calm me down. Then it would take me out of my situation and plop me out of my box so I could clearly make a decision. What could I do better. I loved being at peace as I made a hard decision that effected everything that I did.
Brain Gym truly helped me as I got rid of the anxiety and I am a better person, with better decision making skills because of Brain Gym. When I figured out that I could feel like this I started to share it with others. Even on my LDS mission I shared it.
I know Brain Gym works and helps with any situation that is troubling you to help you make the decisions that can turn your life around. Janell Loveless
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