"Movement is life.  It is the door to learning."

Dr. Paul Dennison, PhD., 1994.

To help my students prepare better for the transition from their physical education class to the classroom, I incorporated Dennison's Brain Gym exercises into my P.E. lesson plans.  At the end of every P.E. class, the students engage in what I call the "Get Ready To Learn Routine."  The routine consists of four steps:  drink water and perform three Brain Gym exercises called Brain Buttons, Cross Crawl, and Hook-ups.  The routine takes only five minutes and has proven beneficial in helping the students get quiet, calm, and ready to move to a different learning environment and task.

At the monthly staff meetings, I introduce other Brain Gym exercised to the teachers to use in their classrooms.  The simple, quick exercises are great brain/body integrators and stress releasers for learners of all ages.  Ask your child to teach you!

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