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Healthy Home
Brain to Body -- Move It!
by Diane H. Pitts, R.N., P.T. (Diane's bio)
IMPORTANT!: Please read our legal notice regarding this health column by clicking here.
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Amanda groaned as her ten year old daughter Erin squirmed and fidgeted during her math homework. Erin exploded, "I cannot stand this!" and threw her pencil down in exasperation. Why the outburst? Erin usually accompanied every multiplication fact with rhythm—tapping with a pencil, scraping with a foot, or popping with her mouth. Her quiet, methodical mother could not understand this behavior. What can she do to help Erin?
Movement is closely linked to brain function. The heart benefits from physical activity but so does the brain. Physical activity shunts glucose and oxygen to the brain, increasing nerve connections, thus helping children learn. Learning coupled with movement means longer and more retrievable memory. But what happens if there is a collision of learning and discipline? Let's get back to Erin and Amanda.
Behind a closed door Erin blinks back the tears. "I just can't win! Math is so hard for me at school, and then I come home and do it even worse. Mom expects me to sit still and think at the same time. It's just too hard!"
Back at the kitchen table Amanda sifts through the interaction. "I thought I was helping her with these worksheets and developing self discipline. Maybe there is another way."
Amanda happens to have a friend, a pediatric physical therapist, who studies movement and how it is linked to learning. So she dialed the number with trembling fingers. Here are some things she found out--brain-based ways to balance movement and learning while preserving discipline:
- Limit the learning time that is directed and focused, switching activities often.
- Play background music that is restful (example: Handel's Water Music). Certain types of music enhance learning and retention.
- Do not doggedly persist in an activity that frustrates the student—you can always come back to it. Teach the concept of attacking the hardest thing first.
- Give the students choices to allow them some control over their learning. Allow movement and physical activity at least every hour or more often if needed by the student. Incorporate movement to reinforce the learning if possible.
- Identify the differences in your learning style and the student. Find ways to stimulate their style, not your own.
Amanda thought through these ideas. She realized that the first five minutes of beginning the homework was critical in establishing the tone for the session. Having a place apart from needless distractions, instituting few but fair rules, and setting a clear goal for each session were possibilities that might help. Amanda considered the fact that she had to reduce her own stress level in order to assist Erin. In retrospect, she had never asked Erin what she needed to work on; Amanda had assumed. Could she require certain things from Erin? Yes, but measured and based on Erin's abilities and needs.
There was one more thing. What was it? She laughed.
"Erin, come drink this glass of water and let's talk!" Water naturally conducts electricity and helps the brain communicate cell to cell; the brain, which is 85% water, has 68% better retention approximately ten minutes after a boost of water.
Erin shyly walked back in the room with tear stained face.
"Water? Have you lost it, Mom?"
"No, it's a fun thing but a good thing." She hugged Erin, who loved physical affection.
"I'm sorry our studying hasn't gone very well. Let's try something different, okay?"
For Your Soul Consideration:
We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139) and "in Him we live and move and exist" (Acts 17:28). Today, think of moving toward God and getting a brain boost from the Giver of Living water!
Copyright 2002, Diane H. Pitts. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
THE CONTENT OF THE "HEALTHY HOME" COLUMN IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON, PROFESSIONAL, MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, OR PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION, HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE "HEALTHY HOME" COLUMN. Please read our full legal notice.
| About Diane H. Pitts, R.N., P.T.: Diane Pitts has practiced in the fields of nursing and physical therapy for twenty-five years. She currently manages the education and escapades of three active boys in addition to pursuing an interest in writing. Healthy Home seeks to provide the reader with practical ways to maintain wholeness in body, mind, and soul. Contact her at healthyhomecol@earthlink.net. |
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