![]() ![]() ![]() 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? Graduate students take questions from the public and answer them on the blog Neuwrite West as part of their Ask the Expert series. ![]()
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