#Children brain gym upgrade#

I am delighted to discover that Therapro has a range of products that bring the figure eight into practice for all occupational therapists. When I first began using components of Brain Gym in my treatment sessions, I would often make up my own worksheets.

#Children brain gym upgrade#

upgrade further to doing cross crawls while walking a figure eight.upgrade to carrying out the cross crawl while walking on a straight line.having the client carry out their cross crawl while standing until they are sufficiently at ease with the exercise.This often has to be carried out in stages: Make it more fun by having the client clap while moving around the figure of eight in time to music.įor added motor integration, combine the cross crawl with the Lazy 8. Varying the space between the hoops elongates or enlarges the figure eight. I love to use two hoops placed side by side on the floor to provide a visual cue. The Lazy 8 can also be carried out as a motor activity, having the client walk, skip, or run around a figure eight. It can be used in several different formats – using the eyes, drawing the figure of 8 in the appropriate orientation, and in motion, as we shall see shortly. The repeated action of the Lazy 8 is also very calming.

It can be used to improve ocular motor function, which assists with reading, and crossing the mid-line improves integration between the two hemispheres of the brain. In Brain Gym terms, the Lazy 8 turns on or activates the eyes while also crossing the mid-line. One that I use a lot is the Lazy 8 – a figure eight that lies on its side like the infinity sign. Although there is a specific process to follow, many of the exercises are both beneficial and transferable into a regular OT session. I began with Brain Gym I and II and loved the fact that the two trainers in South Africa were experienced occupational therapists trained in both SI and NDT.īrain Gym is wonderful for assisting with goal setting, whole brain learning, stress release, and re-patterning. Little did I know that it would become an integral part of much of my OT practice. I came across Educational Kinesiology in the early 1990s when searching for tools or techniques to help healing from a chronic illness.