This is another type of program I’m wondering about. They do exercises involving crossing the mid-line of the body, etc. and something called “repatterning”. From what I understand it helps to strengthen the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain. I’ve heard great claims for one of the exercises in particular called “the writing 8” , where a student traces a very large “8” (written horizontally like the symbol for eternity)and practices the alphabet on this eight in between the tracings. The speaker I heard recommend this claimed that it solved writing problems with her special ed students. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Any experience with Brain Gym, or Brain Integration Therapy
I’ve been in a classroom where they use Brain Gym with severely disabled kids. The teacher said it really helps a lot with her students and she’s been using it for years.
While we haven’t used a program specific for mid-line training, we did do gymnastics for a year which greatly improved my daughters ability to write legibly. She now gets all sorts of compliments on her beautiful penmanship.
So, I think there is definitely something to mid-line training in helping kids with disabilities. Getting the brain to work both hemispheres more effectly definitely can’t hurt and there are a lot of really fun ways to accomplish that.
Hi Fun2,
You definitely are spending your time on research!
The underlying issue, is that the entire left side of the body is controlled by the right side of the brain, and vice versa.
Where both sides are connected through a ‘brain cable’ called the Corpus Callosum.
But most importantly, we aren’t born with a fully formed connection connection between the left and right sides.
The connection is only developed as a response to practice.
Yet, it is not taught directly, but often develops through ‘childhood play’.
As a result, often children simply don’t happen to ‘pick it up’?
In which case, they need to be directed to practice it.
Which basically involves helping the left and right sides of the body/ brain to communicate with each other.
As a simple example, you could try an exercise?
Where you ‘close your eyes’, then bring the finger tips of each hand together?
Whilst that might have seemed very simple, it is in fact an extremely complex mental exercise.
Involving a great deal of left/right brain communication.
Which involve Vestibular,Proprioceptive, Visual and Spatial Thinking. In association with Fine and Gross Motor Skills.
Which are equally processed in both the left and right sides of the brain.
BrainGym has published some books, that you might find in your local library? That provide an explanation of their exercises, which you can practice at home.
Where if you understand the underlying principles, then you can carry them out yourself. Also devise your own exercises.
With the ‘figure 8’ exercises for hand writing?
The first distinction is between fine and gross motor skills?
For example, with your finger-tip, make the letter e on the table in front of you.
Then, with your arm ‘fully extended’, use your arm to create the shape of the letter e, in the air.
Where perhaps you could make a comparison between the experience of both?
You might even try the previous exercises again, but this time, do it with your ‘eyes closed’?
I’m sure that writing the letter e with your arm, fully extended. Left a far greater impression than simply writing it with your finger tip?