Boost Brain Power Through Play | Scientifically Proven Activities For Learning and Attention

Movement and play helps more than just the body — research is showing that it also improves cognitive function.

After my son was diagnosed with ADD I wanted to help his brain focus and function well without medication. It’s led me on a long journey (4 years now) and I’ve learned a lot about the mind-body connection.
Physical Movement strengthens the many systems that are integral for learning (vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, balance, etc)
Movement strengthens the muscles around the eye (there are a lot!) that are essential for reading.
Primitive reflexes need to be integrated (in a living, dynamic way) before the brain can truly mature and function out of the prefrontal cortex (hello, executive functions!)

Sometimes these reflexes don’t integrate (or systems aren’t exercised) and it results in a lot of issues —
Difficulty paying attention (ADHD)
Uncoordinated
Difficult reading (dyslexia)
Impulsivity
Bed wetting
Chewing
Car sickness
Overstimulation
And so many more!

So many of the difficulties our children face can be attributed to lack of movement (and lack of the right movements).
Once we began doinf primitive reflexes with my boys i noticed a BIG difference in the amount of bed wetting, chewing, and better coordination. I’ve noticed moderate improvemetd in attention, impulsivity, and other execustivr functions. We’re gonna keep going and see how much they improve after a whole school year of regular exercises.

To help my kids learn better and FEEL BETTER, I created a motor lab in our home based on the exercises from these books:
📕Ready Bodies, Learning Minds
(https://readybodieslearningminds.com/...)

📗 When Bright Kids Cant Learn
(https://amzn.to/3AzGJAm)

📘Disconnected Kids
(https://amzn.to/4dUUok0)

📙Barefoot and Balanced
(https://amzn.to/3Z0ewgy)
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I bought most of my equipment used on Facebook or Craigslist, but here are the items i bought new:
Sensory Swing
https://amzn.to/4cEQpqS

Wood Climbing Holds:
https://treefrogplay.com/products/sta...

Swedish Climbing Wall:
https://ezplaytoys.com/products/ezpla...

Playground Balls:
https://amzn.to/47hWclb

Wood Balance Board:
https://amzn.to/4dB13jn
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I made a list of ideas for play break activities along with the signs I made for my motor lab. They are available in Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/SimpleWonders...
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I watched and learned a lot about primitive reflexes from the OTs on this channel:

   / @harklafamily  

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