Paper Dolls: A Waste of Time or a Brain Booster?

Yesterday I was going to blog about what to tell our kids about awful things in the news when they ask (of course, we hope they won't ask): Eliot Spitzer's fall from grace, Britney's 14-year-old sister's pregnancy, Lil' Romeo's USC basketball scholarship based on fame instead of ball-paying talent and need.

And don't think kids don't ask. The "New York Times," which couldn't get enough of the Spitzer scandal, asked parents what they said when their kids asked why the Governor of New York resigned. That's where I got the idea for the bad news blog post in the first place.

O.K. so I didn't write the post yesterday. I didn't write it again today. And I love posting to my blog. So what gives? Still procrastinating, and feeling a bit guilty, I stumbled onto online paper dolls which inspired blogging.

Obviously, time to lighten up.

I kid you not, two hours later I had chosen clothes for Holly Hobby (she talks when you choose her clothes: "Ooh, cool outfit"), Disney princess dolls, a boy basketball player (not much fun since you don't get to choose earrings, purses, and tiaras.) little girl dolls, older girl dolls and my favorite "Catwalk Dress Up 3" where you get to choose skin color, lipstick, and the latest ridiculous fashions from Paris.

Now I have always loved paper dolls. I still have some paper dolls my older cousin Peggy made for me. And doing paper dolls with the granddaughters? Talk about fun!

Is having fun a brain booster? Absolutely. Add laughing to the fun and you and your kids start producing the so-called good-feeling endorphins like crazy. It's a no brainer: all of us learn faster and more effectively when we're happy.

So the next time your kids are having fun, giggling, laughing uproariously, hooting at a silly knock-knock joke, rest assured that it's good for their brains. Laugh with 'em. It's good for you too.

MaryJo

P.S. Yes, I know paper dolls also fall into those boring categories like "improves eye-hand coordination," "fosters creativity," "encourages imagination."

P.P.S. And I'm gearing up for the "They've All Got It: Managing ADHD" telechat. It's going to be fun too. Lots of non-drug alternatives for ADD and a bit of Brain Gym too. Stay tuned for more details and mark April 1 on your calendar. (No, it's not an early April Fools joke.)

Maybe No Child Left Behind isn't a Failure After All

Don't want to forget to remind you that I've got a spot open for you in tonight's Brain Gym Basics TeleChat. Learn to lower stress, stop procastinating, and stay on track.

Was looking for a location for the June, Colorado Springs, Brain Gym class this morning and thought of my friend Debbie. Wondered if her school might be interested in playing host.

Since two teachers come free in exchange for the room, figured it could be a win/win. When her school email bounced, I gave her a ring.

Now she's working with Success for All, a reading and math program used in more than 1,500 schools around the country. And was delighted to find that a teacher she's working with in a North Dakota classroom was doing Brain Gym with the kids too.

The program's not cheap, 75,000 to initiate and $10,000 a year to keep it going. But what a success it's been. Principals at Title I schools have said it's worth every penny. Because Success for All meets the Federal requirements of Reading First (a requirement of No Child Left Behind), grant funding is available.

The Seattle Times reports that it's common to find students reading all the time and loving it! And school officials are loving it too since they've seen a boost in test scores.

At Minnie H. School in North Dakota, only 23 percent of the kids read at grade level. After implementing Success for All, one amazed 1st grade teacher reported an entire class reading at grade level.

In the Bronx, PS 65 became the 5th most improved school in NYC after using both reading component and Math Wings of this remarkable program.

Success for All backs up their claim with the numbers, including state by state by state statistics.

To improve reading, Success for All includes programs emphasizing intense and immediate intervention, language development, family literacy, helping struggling readers, building phonics skills and reading comprehension. And works to coordinate family, community, and school resources.

What makes Success for All work? It's teacher and whole school training and committment plus persistence. Same thing that makes Brain Gym work.

When a teacher or a parent tells me Brain Gym doesn't work, I ask "How often do you do Brain Gym with the kids?" Invariably the answer is "Oh, we tried it a couple of times."

A couple of times just doesn't do it--whether it's Success for All or Brain Gym. And I vote for using both programs! Success for All is the curriculum, the motivation, the involvement. Brain Gym gets the brain moving to work efficiently and quickly.

With all the negative press about No Child Left Behind--even in this blog--it's exciting to report on the success of Success for All. I love being wrong when something that helps kids works after all--if even just some of the time.

MaryJo

Dungeons and Dragons on the Living Room Floor

Now he plays kiddie computer games with his children. But back in the 80s, Stephen played Dungeons and Dragons, aka D & D, on the floor at our house in Eugene.

D & D required rule books (which required proficiency in reading) , little pewter figures, pencil and paper, and intense concentration.

Stephen's friend Ian would come down from Portland for the weekend. The boys would stay up all night playing, just stopping long enough for pancakes in the morning. Although D & D players have been called "nerds," "extreme geeks," and even "social outcasts," Stephen and Ian certainly didn't fit that description.

When Ian wasn't around and Stephen wasn't riding his bike, he read J.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," over and over. Three times? Maybe four times? Delighting in telling the minute details of the adventures of the Middle Earth creatures.

"Mom, I gotta tell you what happened. See, it all started when Bilbo Baggins . . . but Frodo . . . except that Gandalf . . ."

I hadn't thought about D & D for years until I read that Gary Gygax, the game's creator, died last week. The game reached such popularity that well-meaning grown-ups debated its grand virtues--fosters creativity, imagination, critical thinking, verbal skills, and team building.

Or argued its terrible faults--too violent, doesn't prepare young people for the "real" world. Doesn't teach the difference between fantasy and reality. Promotes devil worship. Encourages kids to kill themselves. Two D & D enthusiasts did commit suicide. Their Mom denied any connection whatsoever to Dungeons and Dragons, but "60 minutes" picked up the story anyway.

And "aren't you afraid your kid'll grow up to be a serial killer if he plays too much D & D"? No, not really.

Instead of creating axe murderers, our love affair with wizards and magic had just begun. We went from D & D to fantasy video games with dizzying visual effects. From "Lord of the Rings" to Harry Potter, with a delicious six books to the series, four blockbuster movies, games, and fan clubs galore. Now adults are playing and reading too.

In an op/ed piece for the Boston Globe, Ethan Gilsdorf, who spent his teen years playing Dungeons and Dragons, defends the game: "The game won't let you hide behind avatars and computer screens, in lonely bedrooms behind closed doors." (However, online versions of D & D do exist, along with a now defunct TV show.)

And Gygax defined role-playing games as group, cooperative experience. "There is no winning or losing, but rather the value is in the experience of imagining yourself as a character." Although some pundits dub Gygax as the father of modern video games which go far beyond simply playing a character's role. And nothing high tech about Dungeons and Dragons in the 80s.

I'm not much for that tired old nostalgia, "Well when I was a girl, we . . . ," but I'll take Stephen sprawled out on the living room floor playing Dungeons and Dragons with Ian any day versus today's mind-numbing, addictive, and even more violent fantasy video games.

I rate Dungeons and Dragons and any game requiring imagination and creativity as Brain Boosters.

And Harry Potter rocks! I've read all six but have to admit once Bilbo Baggins left home, I never quite made it through "Lord of the Rings."

So let me know what games your kids play that foster creativity and engage imagination. Let's get a list going.

MaryJo

P.S. Well, I finally listened myself to the free 60-minute Introduction to Brain Gym audio. Yes, you do get 17 pages of great handouts with the audio, some good Brain Gym tips, and an explanation of what Brain Gym's all about.

But frankly I think yours truly needs to re-record it. Needs an update. Skip all that nonsense in the beginning. Good task for next week.

In the meantime, there's still time for you to sign up for Brain Gym Basics. Starts Tuesday, March 11 and jam packed with fabulous Brain Gym tools you can use everyday. No traveling, no complicated webinar stuff, just a telephone.

Whaddya Mean They Can't Find New York?

A couple days ago we had a discussion about driving to Fort Worth, Texas from our house in Marble, located in the mountains of Western Colorado.

A guy Eric works with suggested going over to Utah and then to Texas.

Huh? Drive west to go east. Only airplane pilots do that! Not long ago, our son was routed to Cleveland from Denver by way of Phoenix!

Somebody else came up with going south into New Mexico and then east. But thanks to snow and avalanche danger, the mountain passes south from Marble were closed.

I suggested Denver and across Kansas on I-70 to Wichita and then south through Oklahoma into Texas. Now I don't know for sure if that's really the most efficient, but MapQuest agreed with me.

We may have figured out how to drive to Texas, but unhappily kids don't seem to know much geography. A 2002 National Geographic study discovered that only half of the young people polled between ages 18-24 could find New York on a map. Six out of ten couldn't find Iraq.

And eleven percent couldn't find the U.S. on a map!

However, geography's having a real come back. Traveler IQ Challenge boasts 1.6 million games installed on FaceBook. Although the Challenge starts out with something simple like "Find London," it progresses to more difficult places like Ashkabat, Turkmenistan.

Talk about a Brain Booster!
Especially since the game
bases your score
on the speed with
which you found Ashkabat.

To help kids advance to Traveler
IQ Challenge, start them out
with fun online geography games

National Geographic also has games for kids Schools can register to take part in the National Geographic's GeoBee And kids
can play GeoBee even if their school isn't registered. Of course
you can play too.

MaryJo

P.S. Have you listened yet to the free 60-minute Introduction to Brain Gym? Downloaded the free 17-page handout complete with a personal action plan? What're you waiting for?

Lots of Ways for Kids to be Smart but Does It Help

All kids are smart. We call it individual differences.

Just because Jason doesn’t read very well, doesn’t mean he’s dumb. After all, he’s really good in art. His drawings are exceptional for his age.

Susan’s flunking her academic classes but she’s great on the girls varsity softball team. So, as the reasoning goes, Jason and Susan are smart.

In good classrooms, teachers honor these differences. In the best classrooms, teachers are encouraged to teach to these differences. And it’s not easy.

This year we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of Howard Gardner’s groundbreaking book. “Frames of Mind.” Gardner, a developmental psychologist at Harvard, identified seven intelligences in his book, “Frames of Mind.” Our standard academic classes including literature and writing, math and science, music, art, and P.E. correspond to the first five intelligences.

In Gardner’s terms, the intelligences include linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial (art), and bodily-kinesthetic. The other two include interpersonal (I understand you) and intrapersonal (I understand myself). Gardner later added more intelligences to his list.

Gardner’s work eventually made its way into the classroom as teachers developed Multiple Intelligences curriculum for K-12 with books like Thomas Armstrong's Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom and Kristen Nicholson-Nelson's Developing Students' Multiple Intelligences.

Don’t get me wrong. Yes, we need to honor all children and their individual strengths.

But does labeling a child “bodily-kinesthetic” or “spatial” help this youngster get on in the world? Once she’s got that label, does she assume she’ll never be able to develop linguistic or logical-mathematical abilities?

What if Sarah wants to go to an elite college. She won’t make it if
she doesn’t have good grades in all subjects, participates in sports,
plays in the school orchestra, and includes extracurricular activities,
esp. community service.

That means she needs proficiency in all the intelligences. In other words, well-rounded.

And what of overlapping intelligences? If Sarah chooses to major in music, she’s probably excellent in math. And she wrote a terrific application essay to get into that elite college. So, she’s got great language skills too.

If we’ve taught to a child’s individual difference, do we help them get on in life? How does a non-reader find the driver’s license bureau in the phone book? How does an artist figure out the best ways to invest their earnings from their sculpture?

So how can we honor all children while encouraging proficiency in all intelligences?
Brain-based learning, whole-brain learning, movement-based learning, and Brain Gym offer answers. Kids really can become proficient in more than one intelligence because the brain isn’t hard-wired!

Want to check your intelligence? Take this fun quiz—just don’t take it too seriously.

Tomorrow we’ll look at how we get these intelligences. (It’s not all inborn, by the way.)

MaryJo

P.S. Discover how Brain Gym can help you (not just your kids) lower stress and focus on a difficult task you’ve been putting off. Download the handouts and listen to the free audio. Then sign up for Brain Gym Basics. Starts March 11. All you need is a phone to learn enough Brain Gym to see immediate results at home and in the classroom.

More on Those Finnish Kids and Their Teachers

Not surprisingly, the "Finnish kids beating everybody else in test scores" is all over the internet and featured in "Time" magazine. Just Google something like "Finish Kids the Smartest."

So what makes Finnish teachers different?

Finland (and other high scoring countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Hong King, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan) pour resources into teacher training, set high standards for teaching, and respect teaching as a profession. And reward teachers by paying them salaries similar to competing occupations.

What a concept!

In Finland the best high school students are recruited for graduate-level teacher-preparation traing, paid by the government. Teachers learn to create a curriculum based on research, inquiry, and critical thinking. They study how to teach to different abilities and learning styles.

Every new teacher gets an experienced teacher as mentor. Every teacher receives 100 hours of professional devleopment and a whopping 20 hours a week to collaborate and learn from each other.

In short, teachers are given the time and resources to become the best teachers they can be.

So it's not that Finnish students are smarter. It's not that Finnish teachers are smarter. Finland as a country and a culture simply supports great teaching at all levels. Spends money for great teaching and requires, by U.S. standards, extraordinary standards. It's paid off.

In addition, although nobody but this blogger seems to have noted the connection, Finland also has world class music education programs for everyone.

As educators and folks from the U.S. Department of Education travel to Finland to discover the secrets behind high scores in science and math, U.S. music educators extoll the virtues of Finland's music education program.

And music educators know that learning music increases learning in all other areas--math, reading, science. Stay tuned as we'll jump into the music equals learning equation in future blog posts. I'll even show you some of the research

In the meantime, please don't let your school board dump the music program. Won't help anybody's test score!

MaryJo

P.S. Not sure why you should sign up for the next Brain Gym Basics Telechat starting March 11? Want more information? Listen to the audio and learn some Brain Gym you can use yourself--and with kids too.

So What do the Finns know about Brain Boosters?

Finnish teens waste time online in chat rooms and downloading music. They rebel by dying their hair black. No different than the teens I know.

So why do Finnish kids score higher in science and math than U.S. kids do? Way higher. The US isn't even in the top ten!

Now it certainly isn't because our kids are dumb! They're just as smart as Finnish kids. Or any other kids who are scoring higher in math and science.

Fanny Salo, whose picture here appeared in the "Wall Street Journal," attends Norsii School in Jyvaskyla. She loves to shop for clothes, read "Gossip Girl" books, and watch "Desparate Housewives" on TV. Nothing out of sync here.

They don't do more homework. They don't start reading at 3. In fact, they don't start school till age 7--a year later than most U.S. kids. TV and video games aren't banned.

But kids play more. And kids read more. When a baby is born, her parents get a gift pack that includes a child's picture book. Libraries are in shopping malls. If you can't get to the mall, a book bus will come to your remote area.

And kids become independent at an earlier age. The Finns don't hover over their children. Kids walk to school in near darkness. Pick their own lunch. No internet filter in the school library.

And kids are taught at the youngest age possible to put on their own skates and skiis. Obviously this indicates that kids are outdoors playing and moving, even in cold winter weather.

What's the message for us? Kids need more playing, reading, and moving. And we need to foster more independence.

Tomorrow: Find out what the Finnish schools are like and how teachers teach.

MaryJo

P.S. Of course, Brain Gym involves playing and moving and certainly helps with making reading easier. Learn a couple of Brain Gym exercises that you can use immediately. Be sure to download the 17-page handout first.

One Laptop per Child: A Brain Booster for Poor Kids

Some days seems it feels like I could just do blog posts all day long. Top of my list are several blogs about the importance of music for brain boosting including Rock Band, and Guitar Heroes

And I’ve got great info on grading neighborhood schools. And a new game for geography. And how MySpace is moving forward to protect your kids from sexual predators.

Of course, we have to see why kids in Finland are the smartest in the world. The Wall Street Journal just published the latest test scores. The U.S. rank? Not good news! What do the Finns know about brain-based-learning that we don’t? The picture of these Finnish teens sure doesn't tell us much?

Have a couple of posts planned on best sites for information about the brain that are learning oriented, fun, and not too technical or theoretical.

And there’s always more on reading. And, of course, Brain Gym Whoa. Slow down. One post a day is enough!

After all I need to finish my Brain Boosters ebook, do the next Brain Gym Basics TeleChat on March 11, and get the new ADHD TeleChat that’s coming up in April ready to roll. (I’m so far behind on that project, I can’t even give you a link.)

But today it’s all about One Laptop per Child founded by Nicholas Negroponte, an MIT professor. His plan was—and despite enormous hurdles—and still is to provide his open source XO laptop to 2 billion children in poor and remote parts of the world.

Because most of Negroponte’s kids don’t have electricity at home or school, the XO is hand cranked or recharged through a solar panel and uses less than two watts of power. In comparison, your laptop uses 35-40 watts of power. The sturdy XO costs $187 right now. Negroponte’s goal is getting it down to $100 and then even lower.

And it’s not just about passing out laptops. This MIT prof has a terrific view of education. You can Listen to him For starters, because his laptop is open source, means the kids can suggest changes, can add to the software, can be involved. It’s all about sharing and collaboration.

One child suggested getting rid of the all caps key. Negroponte complied. How many times have you accidentally hit the caps lock key? The child was right. It’s a nuisance.

The XO is even being used in some New York City schools where kids are too poor to have a computer at home.

Some precocious kids in countries all over the world (including Rwanda, Mongolia, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Brazil, Afghanistan, to name just a few) are writing html code and improving on the hardware.

They’re sharing their creations on the One Laptop per Child wiki The wiki, translated in more than 17 languages, has 5, 377 pages and 2,000 contributor files.

Negroponte argues fiercely that it’s not a laptop project, it’s an education project. He emphasizes learning by doing, peer-to-peer teaching, exploring, and expressing themselves.

“In one school, 100 percent more kids showed up for 1st grade the next year. They were not coming from the neighboring village. No. What happened is that the six-year-olds in school told those who were not that school is cool.”

And the teachers support Negroponte’s view:

“Pupils go even beyond what I can teach in the class. It's a very interesting thing to use. I personally have a better idea about teaching... We discovered that giving them time to discover something and to do it in their own way, they feel more happy and they are so excited in using it that, ‘Yes, I discovered it! Yes, I can get it!! Yes, I can do this on my own!!!’ Teaching is getting more interesting and less stressful.” — Mr. O., Galadima School, Abuja, Nigeria

What do the kids think?

“I use my computer very carefully so that it will not spoil. I use it to type, I use it to write, I use it to draw, I use it to play games... I'm using my computer at home to type assignments.”

Negroponte’s predicting 2-3 million computers distributed in 2008. Read more of the distribution specifics and challenges.

Meanwhile, let’s all contribute to this fabulous project $200 will pay for the laptop and delivery. Keep watching. It won’t be long before $200 will pay for two laptops.

I just emailed to find out if a class or school can sponsor XO laptops, get pictures of the kids who receive them, email back and forth, and so forth. I’ll let you know when I hear back. I hope so. What a wonderful classroom project.

Of course there’s been lots of criticism. So if you’re a “both sides of the argument” person, you can read what some people don’t like. Scroll down to criticism. Kermit Pattison’s article “No Child Left Offline” talks about the corporate backlash and has a great interview with Negroponte.

MaryJo

"High School Musical" a Brain Booster?

“What do they want for Christmas?” I asked. “

Oh anything about “High School Musical,” Stephen replied.

“High School what? They’re just little girls. Cari’s only in 2nd grade.”

“Hey Mom, get with it. 'High School Musical' is the thing.”

So off I went shopping. Sure enough, Stephen was right. I soon found "High School Musical" DVD’s, CD’s, dance mats, bed room lamps, sleep-over bags. You name it and you can get it with the HS Musical theme. HS Musical was everywhere—even in the grocery store.

Finally decided on a HS Musical interactive DVD for 4th grader, Abby and a HS Musical dance mat for Cari. I still didn’t have a clue.

So a couple weeks ago at the video store, Eric said “Let’s rent “High School Musical” and see what all the fuss is about. In case you’re not any savvier than we were, turns out HS Musical, filmed in Utah, is a Disney take-off on “Grease” minus John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

A bit hair-brained and not quite as sophisticated as "Grease," but certainly tame enough. HSM 2 struck me as sillier than HSM 1 but then I’m not a 2nd grader. It's been described as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet except everyone lives happily ever after.

The good news is all that dancing. And that’s what the kids are loving. That’s what the dance mat is all about. So is “High School Musical” a Brain Booster? You bet. Doesn’t get any better than dancing, and the dancing in HS Musical rocks.

Now even more curious, I had to Google "High School Musical" and check it out in Wikipedia Seems HS Musical was one of the most successful Disney channel movies—7.7 million viewers in the U.S. saw the premier. Reached best selling album status in 2006.

And in the U.K, HSM got 1.2 million viewers during the first week. In 2006, "High School Musical" was the most watched programs for the Disney Channel in the U.K.

There’s an ice tour and "High School Music 3" is on its way. Disney’s got a winner.

Gabriella, the main character, has her own blog (obviously sponsored by Disney). If you Google, “about High School Musical,” you’ll find chat rooms and online games and even a forum for “I Hate High School Musical.” Plenty that isn't tied to Disney marketing.

At last report, Cari and Abby are learning dance steps thanks to help from the dance mat they got from us. And the little ones, Alison and Andrew, are giving it a try too.

They’re jumping and hopping and crossing the midline like crazy.

Readers of this blog and the Brain Boosters for Your Kids newsletter will remember that any movement which crosses the center mid-line of the body helps increase brain integration between the left and right hemispheres.

Similar in the big picture to Wii Fit that we talked about yesterday. Wii Fit includes dancing and a mat. You can do the High School Musical dance mat with other kids and that's the most fun. (Obviously, you don't need the mat in order to dance since it's one kid at a time on the mat.) Requires digital viewing in order to see those dance steps and you’re moving.

So, I guess, with a bit of a stretch, you could include the “High School Musical” dance mat in the “social network gaming” genre.

That I think the plot is silly, the acting stilted, and the singing dreadful is quite beside the point.

So A+ for “High School Musical”—at least for the HS Musical products that get kids up off the couch and singing and dancing. As for the rest of the products and the online chatter, I’ll pass.

Can't imagine, though, that HS Musical would interest kids much beyond 4th grade, maybe the rare, unsophisticated 5th grader. I'm sure the Ohio grandkids, just a bit older than the NH kids, are saying things like "Yuk, 'High School Musical' is for babies."

Parents, the dance mat is a great toy, inexpensive enough to get a couple of them. And teachers, you can use the CD in your classroom or P.E. class to get the kids not only moving but moving to their favorite music. If you do Brain Gym in your classroom, try a fast HS Musical tune for Cross Crawl.

Meanwhile I’ve been hard at work compiling the “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” ebook and accompanying workbook. I’ve got a self-imposed deadline of two weeks. (Some of you, I’m sure, aren’t holding your breath since you’ll remember this project, in its original incarnation, began months ago and then languished.)

The ebook's got everything from tips and strategies to checklists and quizzes, even a bit of Brain Gym. As the kids say, “Get psyched.”

MaryJo

P.S. Maybe you weren't in the dark about "High School Musical," but you're still wondering what Brain Gym is all about.

Listen to a 4-minute explanation of Brain Gym or spend a full hour learning about Brain Gym and even a couple of BG movements you can use immediately. It's free. Be sure to download the 17-page full-color set of handouts before you click the listen button.

Listen to the 60-minute Intro to BG and get a discount on the next Brain Gym Basics TeleChat starting March 11.

Finally, a Brain Booster Video Game

Well, somedays you just can't win! So we're all set for last night's Brain Gym Basics TeleChat and we had enough out-of-my-control technical glitches at the last minute that we had to postpone it. Even included a glitch from the University of Colorado at Denver which offers the graduate credit for teachers

Now Brain Gym Basics is on for March 11. And the ADD class for April 1st. And that means changes on the websites, changes in the telephone conferencing schedule, changes in the calendar, changes in the online registration, and on and on. Guess what I'm doing this morning? Certainly wasn't part of the original plan for today!

So after railing against video games for years (except for a slight nod to improvement in eye-hand coordination), there's finally a video game that looks like it'll get an A+ from me.

It's called Wii Fit. (Pronounced "we.") Check out the demonstration and a video from Nintendo. It really looks like fun. Nintendo's pushing it as family fun--another A+ from me. I even like the music.

But there's a caveat to the A+--that's only for families who already have the Wii video game system which, unfortunately, allows kids to play some of the most violent games without ever getting out of their chair or moving a muscle beyond wrist and fingers. Although such isn't the purpose of Wii. And the system is a bit pricey. The cheapest I found this morning was $286--before you buy Wii Fit at around $70.

You can use Wii Fit for aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games, and get a "core" workout with some of the Wii Fit games. I haven't seen any promotion for losing weight but if you're doing aerobics frequently enough with Wii Fit, weight loss would certainly be a result. Who can argue with that, given the rise in childhood obesity.

Wii fit has over 40 exercises and activities. 8 family members and friends can keep track of their scores and progress.

Don't get too excited, however. Wii Fit isn't scheduled for release until May. If you can't wait, log into Amazon and ask to be emailed the minute you can buy it.

However, the buzz has created a Wii Fit entry in Wikipedia. And Nintendo has blog postings and YouTube videos to promote their product.

Wii represents a new and positive, from my way of thinking, approach to video games. They call it social network gaming. And lots of the Wii software, unlike many of the other social networking games, requires moving around rather than sitting still at your computer screen.

But I don't necessarily recommend the Wii video game system unless your kids have other video game systems which they're into. There's a great review of Wii in the "New York Times."

On the other hand, what's wrong with technology that promotes social and family interaction, involves moving, and having lots of fun? Maybe your children have been begging for a video game system and you've said "No, no, a thousand times no, in the past. You might reconsider with Wii as the option.

Video "games" plus movement aren't new. Exergaming has been around for awhile but has never really taken off. I'd never heard of it until I read the Wii Fit article in Wikipedia. And the Wii system already has Wii sports out where you can play "pretend" tennis, golf, baseball, and bowling. All of which involve standing up, and moving around but not as much movement as Wii Fit. Most Wii systems already come with Wii Sports.

Looks like Wii Fit is ready to make a splash in the U.S. Let's hope so for those families and kids where video games are already part of the daily routine! With 1.3 million units in homes in Japan, it's sure made a splash there.

So to summarize, if kids must play video games, the Wii system is the best around and Wii Fit (and Wii Sports) promises to be one of the best set of games going in terms of Brain Boosting and general health enhancement. Not to mention fun!

Still doesn't take the place of playing, hiking, or running around outdoors. But then sometimes you've got four feet of snow in your backyard and the thermomenter in the car port says ten below. We've have plenty of days like that at our house and still have snow drifts over our heads.

Speaking of snow, Cynthia, my friend who uses Brain Gym with her first graders at the Apache Indian reservation school in Dulce, NM, called to tell me they had SIX feet of the white stuff and her kids are getting cabin fever. They need Wii Fit.

MaryJo

P.S. If you've got snow and warm enough temperatures to bundle up and go outside there're lots of things kids can do. Check out the February issue of the "Brain Boosters for Your Kids" newsletter. Lots of ideas for playing in the snow, including how to do Brain Gym in the snow.

Thoughts: The Greatest Brain Booster of All

So did you watch "The Secret" or buy the book? Did you think lots of thoughts about being rich just like they told you? Did you get rich?

Scads of people followed the directions or thought they were following the directions. Some few got rich. Lots didn't--for all kinds of reasons including emotions.

Although this post isn't about how to get rich (sorry), the bottom line is, just as "The Secret" told us, thoughts do control us.

Even something as simple as me getting up from my computer and going down to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. I don't walk across my home office without thinking about it first--even though I'm certainly not aware that I've planned every move.

It's my brain that says "Hey, how about coffee now." It's my brain that controls my movement from comuter to coffee pot.

This is important stuff for parents, teachers, and kids to know. We all live out our expectations (i.e. thoughts) of ourselves and the expectations that our parents and teachers have of us. Some kids overcome the poor expectations held of them by teachers and parents. Many don't.

So let's look at some mind-control gadgets.

In 2006, scientists at Brown University investigated the "Brain Gate," a sensor implant which allows quadripalegics to direct thoughts to control a computer cursor or robot limb. Superman, Christopher Reeve, used a similar device after he was paralyzed.

The latest is a contraption coming out later this year from a company called Emotive. Kids put a helmet-like thing on their heads to control video games with their thoughts.

Yikes. Now kids don't have to move at all while playing games. Emotive, the company making the $299 headset, will release it later this year. I wouldn't buy this for my grandkids if it were just $29!

Take a look at some videos showing how these devices work.

In the meantime, remind kids that saying over and over again, especially with great passion while moving around, "I know I'm going to flunk this algebra test, I know I'm going to flunk this algebra test" is an excellent predictor of flunking this algebra test!

Often thinking something and verbalizing it is a better predictor than hours and hours of studying--not that studying isn't essential. (I'll give you some proof on this after I get done posting about video games.)

Thoughts accompanied by movement plus strong emotion often equal results. It's why a movement-based learning program like Brain Gym is so effective.

So tomorrow we'll look at Wii Fit. It's the opposite from the thing from Emotive. A video game that requires moving! Gets A+ from me.

MaryJo

P.S. We're down to the wire now but you've still got time to register for Brain Gym Basics TeleChat

Everything You Wanted to Know about the Brain Boosters Blog

If you've been reading this blog from beginning, you've probably noticed some changes. If you're new to the blog, I've made a bunch of changes just since last week. Now you can see my picture, for example. Yup, that's really grey hair!

So thought it might a good time to give you a little tour around the Brain Boosters Blog.

1. Notice the box below each post. You can now make comments. Please do. Let's get the dialog started.

2. You can subscribe to the blog via email. Means you don't have to come back here everyday to see if I've posted something for you. Just enter your email address in top right hand corner. Each time there's a new post, you'll get an email. I won't ever see your name so don't worry that I can email you stuff you don't want.

3. Or subscribe to a news feed. If you're new to blogging, you'll need to get a news reader first. Try http://www.feedemon.com You'll end up with a little icon on your desktop which you click on to check your "feeds." You can subscribe to other blogs, newspapers, and all sorts of things. You'll find the link right below the email subscribe box.

4. After links to recommended sites and the archives of this blog, you'll find resources about the brain, resources for teachers and parents. I'll be including topics such as Brain Gym, ADHD, brain-based learning, multiple intelligences, autism, play, and much more.

Right now, it's mostly books but we'll be adding articles and magazines. And check back frequently as we add new ones.

5. The plan--at least for now--I'll alternate between posts mostly for parents and posts mostly for teachers. And in between I'll be throwing in a bunch of stuff about ADHD. Stories, experiences I've had, things teachers and parents have shared with me, tidbits I've run across while surfing the web or reading newspapers and even research like today's earlier post on Project-based Learning.

Enjoy my blog, come back frequently. Let me know what you think, what you'd like me to cover in posts or add to resources. This blog's for you!

MaryJo

P.S. It starts tomorrow night. Have you signed up yet? Brain Gym Basics TeleChat.

Is Project-Based learning a Brain Booster?

What parent can forget the dreaded science project? Even though assigned months ahead of time, science projects have often keep moms and dads up all night the night before they're due.

And the cause of family friction. "Why didn't you start on this last month? What do you mean we have to go to the craft store now? It's already 9 pm. Next year, things will be different. No more of this last minute stuff. And young lady, you're doing it on your own. Do you hear me?"

And what about teacher stress. He'd sure like to have a couple of winners in the district science fair. "Hey, you guys, how're doing on your science projects? You know they're due Thursday. Any questions?"

These science projects are the early prototype of today's popular Project-Based Learning.

But Project-based Learning has come under lots of fire. Does it work? Or is it just "fun." In other words, does it raise test scores--sadly the most often asked question these days.

There's no doubt, however, that Project-Based Learning is a brain-based learning strategy. It's often kinesthetic and requires critical thinking skills, imagination, problem solving, and social skills.

Well, there's good news in Jane David's article. David, Director of the Bay Area Research Group in California, tells us that test scores have gone up. In Britain, three times as many students from Project-Based Learning schools passed the National Exam.

But, it all depends on the project, it's design, the questions asked, and the teacher facilitation. Guess it's not all that different from the well-thought out science project versus the stay-up-all-night variety.

Check out "Reinventing Project-Based Learning:Your Field Guide to Real-world Projects in the Digital Age" by Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss for suggestions on meaningful (and we hope test-raising) projects.

MaryJo

Reminder: The Brain Gym Basics TeleChat starts tomorrow night, Tuesday, Feb. 26. Still a couple slots open.

ADHD or Creative Parenting?

The creative spirit of entreprenurial parents never ceases to amaze me. Remember "Baby Einstein" when it first came out? (Not that I recommend the "Einstein" videos for babies and toddlers but that's another post.)

Lori Pope has solved the problem of keeping her infant twin sons constantly entertained. Your kids get bored with the gazillion toys they got for birthdays, Christmas, and Chanukah? Can't afford to buy more? Not sure what they might really enjoy? Now you can rent toys from Lori Pope via her company Baby Plays.

At first I thought what a clever, creative idea. It is.

But is it a good thing to give our children a continuing new supply of toys? Does this only make ever-increasing short attention spans even worse What does it teach about patience? Making one's own fun with snowmen, mud pies, pots and pans, and whatever we can find? Do kids risk growing up with an even greater dependence on store-bought external stimuli?

My first guess is that renting toys only adds to our hyperactive ADHD society? Bored? Go out doors and run around. But I haven't tested it so maybe renting toys is a great solution to finding out where a child's interest lies without spending a ton of money.

What do you think? Read the article We'd love to get your comments.

I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you subscribe to the free "Brain Boosters for Your Kids" newsletter. Not sure you want to subscribe? Read the February issue and get plenty of ideas for playing in the snow, how to teach math and science using snow, and even how to do Brain Gym in the snow.

And sign up for the next Brain Gym TeleChat starting Tuesday evening. I've got your spot saved. It's for both teachers and parents. You'll get 100 full-color pages of handouts and the audio to listen to if you miss one of the sessions or want to review.

The TeleChat's worth it just for tips on focusing on some dreaded, boring task and controlling your own stress. And you'll learn all 26 Brain Gym movements to help your kids learn anything quickly and easily. Wish you could tame ADHD? Try Brain Gym. It works.

Teachers, you'll want to watch for tomorrow's post on Project-based learning. Turns out recent research has shown that Project-based Learning can substantially raise test scores.

MaryJo

P.S. Don't forget to comment.

Blogger needs Brain Gym

So why is it that many of us don't do what we tell others to do? O.K, maybe you do. But I sure haven't been these last two days. Turns out that getting back to Brain Boosters after being gone for several months hasn't been a piece of cake!

I'd certainly benefit from doing a little Brain Gym myself in addition to teaching it, telling others to do it, and being downright preachy about it.

So for starters, I've forgotten nearly every techno geek thing I ever knew. Like how to update my website, like how to publish my ezine, even how to post on my blog. How was I know to that Google bought Blogger and I needed a new account?

Then managed to send out the wrong version of the ezine--actually sent out the rough draft. Talk about embarrassing. Was so pleased that I'd finally remembered how to send something to lots of subscribers, that I didn't pay attention to what I sent.

Then I get an email from a reader in India. If she signs up for the Brain Gym Basics TeleChat but can't listen live because of the time difference, can she listen the the online audio? Sure, no problem. Hmm, I'd better check the audio.

Is it still working? Nope! Need a new version of RealPlayer. After installing the new version of RealPlayer, turns out all 8 audios have to be re-downloaded. To give myself credit, at least I didn't wait till the last minute to check this.

But all is not lost. As you may know, the Brain Boosters for Your Kids ezine was all about snow. Why? Because at our house (at 8,000 feet, high in the Colorado Rockies) we're obsessed with snow right now. We've got a good 4 feet of it in our back yard and it's snowed off and on all day today.

After I emailed the rough draft of the Brain Boosters ezine, I began to worry. Who else had snow? Well, we know they don't have snow in Miami or Los Angeles. But how's the rest of country doing? The family in Ohio's been reporting nice weather. And there isn't enough snow down in Denver to build a snowbaby much less a snowman.

And then last night snow blasts the middle of the country and the Northeast. More snow in Central Park than they've seen all year. Airports are shut down. Cars and trucks are bumping into each other, even at 30 mph on the turnpikes. New York's mayor is offering free hot chocolate and sleds in a park in each borough.

Guess the weather people knew I needed snow so my readers wouldn't think I was a little out there yakking about snow the end of February.

So if it's snowed where you are, get those kids outdoors--sledding, building snowpeople, and doing Brain Gym in the snow. You'll need the newsletter for directions on Brain Gym in the snow.

Promise to stop whining tomorrow and write a bit about ADHD. Something for you, instead of all about me. And not just links to my newsletter.

And it's Brain Gym now for yours truly.

MaryJo

P.S. The link for the newsletter is the correct one, not the rough draft.

Brain Boosters is back!

Whew, long time away. Got involved in a BIG project--challenging, fascinating, and all consuming. And nothing whatsoever to do with brain boosters or Brain Gym or brain-based-learning.

Instead I Learned a ton about distance learning and all about a great distance learning software platform called Moodle.

So, bottom line, good to be back although I had to stop and figure out how to post to the Brain Boosters blog, how to update Brain Gym web pages--how to do just about everything I used to know how to do.

And where'd my picture go while I was gone? Red x's just don't cut it.

What else is new? Well, the propane guy who came last week to fill the tank said he hasn't seen this much snow in 20 years! We've got 4 feet of the white stuff still in the back yard.

Since snow's been on our mind now for what seems like forever, I just put out the Brain Boosters ezine (after how many months??) and focused on snow. Not sure my readers in Florida will find it all that fascinating. Does include the lyrics for singing the Snowkey-Pokey and a link for directions on how to build a snow fort.

If you're interested in stuff about snow and kids and teacher math and science snow projects, you can pick up the newsletter free at www.brain-based-learning.com/newsletterfeb2008.htm

While you're there, might as well sign up so you get the next issue. Promise it won't be about snow! Probably ADHD or reading but haven't made up my mind. Also thought about writing about the importance of playing.

And back on track with the Brain Gym Basics TeleChats. The next one starts Feb. 26. Check out www.brain-based-learning.com/braingymtelechatforparents.htm.

Good grief. Speaking of ADHD. This blog post qualifies. I promise to stay on track tomorrow.

In the meantime, just looked at Stephen Putnam's book, "Nature's Ritalin for the Marathon Mind: Nurturing Your ADHD Child with Exercise." He thinks "marathon mind" describes those hyperactive kids that drive us all crazy. And he argues that if you get 'em outdoors and doing aerobic exercise, they'll stop being hyperactive. I couldn't agree more. I should probably take his advice myself!

MaryJo

Avoiding Books at the Bookstore

So finally back in my office and looking out at snow in our backyard and on the mountain. Looks just like a Christmas card.

What started out as a weekend with the Ohio grandkids turned into a longer trip than planned and longer away from this blog than anticipated.

Spent Tuesday in the Starbucks at the foot of Vail Pass, high in the Colorado Rockies. Since it’s hard to drive in blowing snow, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation closed the highway leaving 100 or so folks “stranded” but with plenty of lattes and cappuccinos.

Finally gave up that the highway would open during daylight so found a cozy bed and breakfast for the night and drove home the next morning under bright blue skies and sunshine.

Backing up to the trip and the grandkids, of course, it was fun. They wanted to go to the bookstore. And who would say “no” to grandkids wanting to buy books? Certainly not this grandmother!

Oops, they didn’t say “books.” They said “bookstore.” Barnes and Noble happens to sell a lot more than just books. So when we got there, all three kids wanted pop music CDs instead of books.

So much for reading!

And speaking of books and reading, be sure to check out the “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” e-book series

Elections and Education

Finally, the election’s over. It’ll be interesting to see what changes occur with education policy now that the Dems are in charge.

As you know, I’m not a fan of “No Child Left Behind.” Take a look at “No Child Left” for a good overview of what’s wrong with this policy.

On the other hand, I’m certainly a fan doing what we can to assure that all kids learn to read and have every chance of succeeding in school.

Enough of my soap box. This isn’t a partisan blog. It’s about kids.

And speaking of kids, Eric and I are off to Ohio today to play with some of the grandkids and celebrate some birthdays.

So I’ll be out of the blogosphere for a few days. While I’m gone do some Brain Gym. Read a story to your favorite kid.

And take time to check out the “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” e-book series. You’ll get bunches of tips and strategies for school success.

Teachers Plus Parents Equals Learning

Been gone for a few days so no posts.

Just got back to my office at the foot of snow-covered Chair Mountain yesterday after teaching Brain Gym in Manitou Springs, Colorado. (Manitou Springs also sits at the foot of a snow-covered mountain: Pikes Peak.)

Welcome surprise in Manitou when a bunch of folks showed up at the door, and we scurried to make sure they'd get workbooks and handouts. I'd xeroxed extras but not enough. I love it when this happens.

We had teachers AND parents (several occupational therapists and paraprofessionals, plus a literacy coach). A couple of teachers even brought their grown daughters who are Moms themselves.

It's the mix of teachers and parents together that works for kids. Now the parents can reinforce what the teachers use. Obviously, in this case it's Brain Gym.

So now when 3rd grader Brian comes home and announces he needs to do "Lazy 8's" before doing his reading homework, his Dad knows what he's talking about and can do it with him.

Involving parents in the process is certainly a brain-based learning strategy.

So how'd we get parents involved?

First the school invited them to a free evening pizza party (food is a great motivator) where I showed them a bit of Brain Gym they could use not only to help their kids but for themselves too.

Then the Manitou Springs School District sponsored a one-day workshop (coffee, donuts, and bananas provided), charging a measly $25.

It worked. Your PTA or school administration can do the same thing. Just don't forget the food!

But you don't wait for your school to sponsor Brain Gym. Start learning how to use it tomorrow night. The Brain Gym Basics TeleChat series for parents and teachers starts Wednesday, November 8 at 6:00 pm mountain time.

Your Kids’ Smarts Don’t Matter

Stephen and his kids are smart. Of course. What Mom/Grandmom in her right mind would say something like “Ya know what? My kids and grandkids are really stupid.”?

So Abby, the 3rd grader, is the top kid in her class in terms of test scores and such. She’s quite proud herself, So am I. The family went on a trip and Abby missed a week of school. Her friend was thrilled. With Abby gone, she got to be the smartest kid. 3rd graders think it’s cool to be smart.

And what about Abby’s Dad. In 5th grade, he didn’t want to be the smartest kid. After all, he was already the tallest kid. Enough already of being different. Not so cool for the average almost-in-middle-school boy to be the smartest.

Obviously, 3rd grade girls are smarter than 5th grade boys!

So Stephen goofed around a lot. Became Springfield, Oregon’s champion Mario Brothers video game player. Mastered the complicated Dungeons and Dragons game. Stalled doing homework. Got mediocre grades on the homework he did manage to finish.

Then Mr. Marachek, his very smart teacher, formed The Math Club. Stephen and other smart math-minded kids got to join and do “advanced” math. It worked. Now Stephen wasn’t "different." He was “special.”

It’s all about motivation and the emotional hooks that propel smart kids to act smart.

And that leads right into telling you about e-Book Three of my “Brain Boosters for Your Kids” series. “Why Smart Kids Fail: How you can help them shine” gives you the three brain-based learning secrets for getting your smart kids to act smart.

I've already given away two of the answers: motivation and emotional hooks.
The e-book will give you lots of ways to motivate these kids and how to find the emotional hooks. For teachers in your classrooms. For parents at home.

So today’s the big day: The launch of my three Brain boosters e-book series that will help you help your kids succeed at school.

As I mentioned, there’s a 4th book. It’s one of six bonuses for subscribing to the series before November 9. Subscribe right away and you’ll get two additional bonuses.

P.S. Nope, no testimonials about the fabulous results teachers and parents have witnessed after using the tips and techniques in the Brain Boosters e-books.

I can’t figure out how to do testimonials for something nobody’s read or used yet! You can read testimonials in December when the first e-book’s been read and the strategies proven to work.

P.P.S. But if it's testimonials you're after, check out what folks are saying about Brain Gym and the Brain Gym Basics TeleChat series. Then sign up for tomorrow night’s free “Intro to Brain Gym” Telechat.

Can’t make it tomorrow night? Sign up anyway. Listen to the Web audio of the TeleChat at your convenience. You’ll still get the handouts.