Students Use Brain Gym in the Classroom

"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 with the ADHD as well." 4th grade teacher

Tip: Take a Break. Play "Simon Says"!

Whether it is a break with an entire classroom or a just a few children. "Simon says" is always a fun and great way to move. You can lead or they can. Simon says point to the south. Simon says point to five pieces of information on the walls. Simon says point to the new poster put up this morning. Use other movements than pointing, such as bending, turning, or twisting. How about jumping, lifting one leg or putting your left hand on your right shoulder while lifting your right leg. Make it simple. Make it more complicated. Just remember that movement is the key to learning.

Tip: Breakfast for ADHD Kids and All Others

Breakfast rules for ADHD kids and all others:

DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST.

INCLUDE PROTEIN.

Kids who eat breakfast tend to be healthier in all ways and are more likely to participate in physical activities. They also tend to feel less tired, restless, or irritable.

What kids eat for breakfast is also important. When they eat foods rich in protein, whole grains, and fiber-yet low in added sugar, their attention span, concentration, and memory may be boosted. They also tend to keep their weight under control, have lower blood cholesterol levels, have fewer absences from school, and make fewer trips to the school nurse with stomach complaints related to hunger.

Healthy breakfast suggestions :

· Whole-grained cereal topped with fruit and yogurt

· Whole-grain waffles topped with peanut butter or fruit

· Whole-grained pita stuffed with sliced hard-boiled eggs

· Hot cereal topped with cinnamon, nutmeg, fruit, nuts

· Peanut butter on whole-grain toast or bagel with fruit and milk

· Omelet with whole-grain toast and orange juice

· Bran muffin and yogurt and fruit

· Breakfast smoothie made with low-fat milk or yogurt, fruit and teaspoon of bran

· Heated leftover rice with chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon and fruit juice

· Lean turkey on a toasted English muffin or bagel and vegetable juice

· Shredded cheese in a folded whole-grain tortilla and microwaved for a few seconds with a topping of salsa

· Low-fat cream cheese and fruit n whole-grain bread or bagel

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.