Brain Gym is a set of 26 exercises and activities that were developed by educators Dr. Paul and Gail Dennison to help stimulate brain function in children by harking back to the movements of the first years of life. Dr. Dennison and his wife say these exercises can help improve memory and focus, concentration and academic performance by stimulating the left and right hemispheres of your brain to work together as one unit. Studies conducted in 1998 in Ventura, California, with 12 public school teachers seem to support this assertion.
The Thinking Cap
This exercise is performed by turning your head to the right and left as far as possible and noticing any tension felt in your neck. Dennison suggests that you notice how far you can turn your head in each direction. This is followed by massaging you ears with your hands thoroughly by unrolling the flap of skin at the top and moving your hands to the bottom of your ears, massaging as you go. After massaging your ears three times you should once again turn your head to the left and right, noticing how much farther you can turn your head. The Brain Gym page at IGreen.Tripod.com reports that this exercise helps with short-term memory, the ability to listen and your thinking skills.
The Energizer
The Energizer is an effective way to help enhance children's concentration and develop fine motor skills, according to licensed mental health professional Deb England. On the Brain Gym page of WholenessHealing.com, England suggests that the child sit on a chair or mat and rest his head on a desk with his arms in front of him and his hands on the table in front of his shoulders. He should then inhale deeply while lifting his forehead, neck and upper back. After inhaling, have the child lower his head to his chest while returning his forehead to the desk.
Brain Buttons
This energy exercise is performed by massaging the soft tissue located under each collar bone with one hand while simultaneously holding the navel with the other hand. This soft tissue should be massaged for about 30 seconds. Changing hands helps stimulate both hemispheres of the brain, according to the Brain Gym page at BrimHallWebsite.com. This activity helps stimulate increased oxygen reception, increased blood flow and enhanced energy, according to BrimHall.
Member Comments