![]() ![]() ![]() The hypothesis is that because musical training involves the coordination of multiple modalities – i.e. This collection of axons between the midline is called the corpus callosum, and research has shown that the corpus callosum is larger in early-trained musicians compared to late-trained musicians and nonmusicians, especially if the training began before the age of 7. The axons are covered in a white substance called myelin, which acts as an insulator, protecting the electrical communication between neurons from leakage, and increasing the speed at which the signal can travel down the axon. Neurons on either side of the cortex send axons across the midline, which then make synapses with neurons on the other side. The best studied example of this is musicians who began training during early childhood. The underlying science – that performing an activity that simultaneously engages both cerebral hemispheres can improve cognition – does appear to be true. That being said, we can’t completely rule out the general idea that engaging in crossing the midline exercises has a positive effect on learning because this idea has not been rigorously tested. On their website, they address why there are no peer-reviewed articles supporting their claims, explaining that because a scientific study would require that some students receive the Brain Gym training (the experimental group), and some receive no training or a different kind of training (control group), it would be unethical to deprive some student’s of the Brain Gym training.Īny study like this would only last a few weeks or a few months at most, so this excuse is pretty weak, and is a huge red flag with regard to the validity of their claims. All of the papers they use to support their claims are self-published in the journal The Brain Gym Global Observer. ![]() In fact, there are no peer-reviewed, controlled studies testing whether or not these exercises do anything at all. Those are quite extraordinary claims, and as the saying goes, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, of which they provide little to none. They call their program “educational kinesiology,” and claim that engaging in activities that “recall the movements naturally done during the first years of life when learning to coordinate the eyes, ears, hands, and whole body” can dramatically improve concentration and focus, memory, academics, physical coordination, relationships, self-responsibility, organization skills, and attitude. This idea appears to have originated (or is at least most heavily propagated) by Paul and Gail Dennison and their commercial learning program called Brain Gym. One such claim that I have come across more frequently has to do with exercises that 'cross the midline.' It is suggested that by engaging in activities in which the right arm or leg is crossed over to the left side, connections between the right and left hemispheres of the brain are strengthened. Sadly, there is a great deal of misinformation circulating amongst teachers who are genuinely trying to incorporate brain research into their practice. As a novice, it has been difficult to sort out the pseudoscience from valid, data-supported information. “I am an elementary science teacher seeking to reach a better understanding of how the brain works. The first question comes from Allyson Thomley, who writes: In this edition of Ask a Neuroscientist, we’ll answer two questions that address a similar principle: Can you train to have a better brain? Click HERE for this option, or select "Add to Cart" to proceed with payment.Graduate students take questions from the public and answer them on the blog Neuwrite West as part of their Ask the Expert series. Payment options include INVOICING or CHECK/MONEY ORDER. Carpenter has developed and presented trainings for teachers both locally and nationally. She specifically addresses the needs of teachers who teach many different kinds of learners in their classrooms. ![]() Carpenter has also been an educational consultant for Region VIII ESC specializing in inclusion strategies for general and special education teachers and is also a Schools Attuned® facilitator. She has been involved in education for more than 20 years with teaching experience in general and special education classrooms. Brain Gym movements bring about integrated whole brain learning.Ĭheryl Carpenter, M.Ed., is a licensed Brain Gym instructor with over 500 hours of Brain Gym classes. These activities make all types of learning easier and are especially effective with improving academics for children with learning differences and/or ADHD. Participants will be introduced to 26 simple and enjoyable movements that make up the Brain Gym® menu. ![]()
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