Welcome! What to Expect...
BALANCE Brain Training brings you the most important movements you can do to improve brain connections for optimal function and learning. Brain training such as this is beneficial for both children and adults. Research demonstrates improving brain connections between the right and left hemispheres results in better learning and academic achievement for children, and slowing of cognitive decline in older adults. You'll have access to both written instructions & videos. The monthly movement activities are specifically curated by an Occupational Therapist to integrate the essential sensory systems for higher level learning & executive function.
Each month you will receive access to four weeks of new movements that are specific and purposeful. They target areas of development to prepare the brain and body for higher academic achievement for children, while at the same time, avoiding cognitive decline in older adults. Plan to utilize these exercises (~15 minutes, 5 days/week) as part of your daily routine and begin to see improvements in areas such as reading, math, memory, organization, communication, motor skills, visual skills, and social interaction.
The movement activities may use different equipment (balls, bean bags, balance pad, step stool, no equipment, etc) to engage specific skills. If equipment is needed it will be noted. Each series will target specific motor skills targeted to develop the cerebellum including:
Postural stability
Balance & Proprioception
Vestibular
Visual-motor Skills
Cross-body Movements (R/L brain connectivity)
Timing & Rhythm
Specific movements combining vestibular engagement with proprioception and visual skills coordination have been proven through research to enhance neural connections between the right & left hemispheres creating positive changes in the brain. This neural growth creates improvements in reading, learning, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social skills, language, organization, and more.
BALANCE is recommended for individuals from 7 years old – 107 years old. School age children and adults can easily follow-along to the videos, while younger children and children with delays will most likely need assistance from a parent/caregiver to perform the movements correctly. For children unable to follow-along to the movements, an adult is welcome to help the child complete the movements at their own pace. We recommend this program to be utilized during or after reflex & brain hemispheric integration, or other similar programs that address the neurological foundation.
Our program was created to be progressively more challenging - even so you can go back to month 1 and begin again while challenging your balance systems further. Many children will benefit from re-doing the program for a full 6-9 months of work, progressing the balance, and/or cognitive challenges. For younger children, and kids with significant delays, you can stay with any series of movements for longer than a week -- working to master the movements before progressing to the next set of exercises.
Next Step: Complete the cerebellum assessment. The assessment will provide you valuable information on how to start your program and is used to note objective progress throughout. This step is optional, but recommended. Even though you may not be a therapist, you will notice differences in your child's assessments if you take notes or a video. The assessment is helpful to give you objective data to see improvements. If you'd rather just jump right into the movements, feel free.
At any time please feel free to reach out to me via email at brainconnex@gmail.com!
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Happy Moving!
Kara Rice, MOT, OTR/L
brainconnex@gmail.com