Exercise benefits our brain in many ways.
When we exercise, our brain gains more oxygen as
our heart rate increases. Educational kinesiology (or brain gym) is a motion led programme,
which is set on the idea that movement generates enhanced learning. In other words by
doing simple exercises, you can improve your quality of learning.
Brain gym improves whole brain learning through some basic yet fun movements. These can
make learning easier and academic skills are one of the areas where they are particularly
effective in.
Remember that learning is a natural fun activity that resumes throughout life. Therefore, everyone
can take part in these exercises. You can work on them with your child at any time. These
movements aim to improve one’s ability on many levels, ranging from posture, academic skills such
as reading and listening to increasing focus, motivation and interest.
Mental fitness energy Simple and fun movements
all day long!
Brain gym Increases
blood flow to
benefits the brain
Increased interest in learning,
When you’re stuck you know what
unlocking your potential to do to get up and moving again!
Did you know?
The left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of our body and is responsible for
performing tasks that are more logical. Alternatively, the right hemisphere controls the left side of
our body and is responsible for performing tasks that are more creative.
The following set of 8 activities have been carefully set out so they are simple to follow.
So go ahead and try these enjoyable, brain-stimulating movements with your children. These are
great to do whilst taking regular breaks from prolonged tasks.
We’d love to hear how your children are including them in their lives, so please don’t forget to share
with us via our email:
Primaryhomelearning@arkvictoria.org
Neck Rolls
How to:
1. Start with your head turned to one shoulder.
2. Whilst taking deep breaths, allow it to drop slowly to the opposite shoulder.
3. Ensure that the chin does not pass the collarbone when at its peak point.
4. Do this a couple of times and relax.
Alternatives:
• Try both with eyes open or closed.
• When reaching a tight spot/tension, hold the head in this position; breathe deeply to release
the tension.
• You can also try stopping at this point and doing the Neck Roll in circles with your chin.
Some benefits:
• To relax the neck muscles and release tension.
• Improves binocular vision and relaxes the central nervous system.
• Enhances and regulates breathing.
• Improves Oral/silent reading study skills.
Cross crawl
How to:
Move one arm and its opposite leg alternating with the other arm and its opposite leg.
Alternatives:
• Try touching the opposite foot by reaching behind the body.
• Try touching each hand to its opposite knee during this process.
• Skip lightly between each cross crawl.
• Cross crawl with your eyes closed to improve balance.
• Cross crawl to different rhythms/ music.
Some benefits:
• Improves left/right coordination.
• Reduces visual stress.
• Improves breathing and stamina.
• Enhances vision and hearing.
• Improves reading, writing, listening and spelling.
Cross crawl sit-ups
How to:
1. Lie on your back on the floor (preferably a padded surface.)
2. Ensure your knees and head are up and feet flat. Use your hands to hold your head for
support.
3. Touch one elbow to the opposite knee and alternate with the other elbow to its opposite
knee. Ensure your neck is relaxed and your breathing is rhythmic.
Alternatives:
If you are feeling uncomfortable lifting your head, try lying flat with your arms overhead. Next, lift
one knee and touch it with the opposite hand. Alternate with the other hand and knee.
Some benefits:
• Cross crawl sit-ups relax the lower back and strengthen the abdominals.
• Improve the integration between the left and right brain hemisphere.
• Improves Reading and listening skills, Mathematics, spelling and writing skills.
Lazy 8’s
∞
How to:
1. Align your body with a point at eye level. This will be the midpoint of the 8.
2. Extend one arm in front of you with the thumb pointing upwards.
3. Draw the shape of a large number 8 on its side in the air. Do this slowly and smoothly by
moving your arm up and over to the left, bringing it down and back to the midpoint and then
to the right.
4. Do 3 full 8s with each hand and then with both hands clasped together.
Alternatives:
• Try saying “up to the left and around, cross the centre and up. Around down and back to the
centre.”
• Try doing the Lazy 8 with your eyes closed.
• Use different surfaces to draw your lazy 8, such as: sand, paper or chalk (whether on a board
or the floor)
• Draw different size 8’s (try moving to smaller ones)
Some benefits:
• Integrates left and right brain hemispheres.
• Improves binocular and peripheral vision.
• Symbol recognition.
• Improves reading comprehension skills.
Double Doodle
For doing a Double Doodle, you will require some paper and 2 pens (or markers)
How to:
1. Stand up or sit with paper in front of you.
2. Hold the marker in each hand.
3. Place the tips adjacent to each other on the paper in front of you.
4. Start drawing simultaneously with both markers, trying to relax your head and mind as
you do so.
5. You could start by scribbling and gradually attempt drawing shapes or even objects.
6. Have fun doodling!
Alternatives:
• Try having a go at the Double Doodle in the air.
• You can even Double Doodle with your feet, whilst sitting down. This is particularly
beneficial for releasing tension.
• Using your elbows and shoulders are also ways in which you can doodle.
Some benefits:
• Use of both hands enhances creativity.
• Improves hand-eye coordination.
• Improves writing skills.
• Increases special awareness.
• Improves mathematics skills, spelling and the ability to follow directions.
The Rocker
How to:
1. Sit on the floor (preferably padded) with your knees pointing up and feet flat.
2. Place your hands on the floor to support your body.
3. Gently rock in small circles starting from one hip to another.
Alternatives:
• Try doing this exercise whilst sitting in a chair, by placing your hands on your sides for
support and lifting your feet as you rock gently side to side.
Some benefits:
• This activity is particularly useful when nerves in your hips are numbed due to excessive
sitting at a desk for example.
• Increases energy levels arising from mental exhaustion.
• Promotes a stable Pelvis.
• Increases whole body co-ordination.
• Stimulates our brains for attention, Study skills and Centering.
The Active Arm
How to:
1. Stretch one arm up.
2. Hold this arm with the other hand at a right angle to keep the extended arm in position.
3. Take a couple of deep breaths while holding this position and then alternate arms.
4. Do this activity a few times.
5. When done gently shake your shoulders and notice how relaxed you feel.
Alternatives:
• Try doing the Active Arm in different positions. Standing, Sitting or even lying down.
• Experiment holding the arm in various positions for example with one arm extended ahead
or behind your waist.
Some benefits:
• Strengthens your upper chest and shoulders.
• Stimulates your brain.
• Improves hand-eye co-ordination.
• Increases academic skills of creative writing and spelling.
• Develops focus and concentration.
The owl
How to:
1. Sit in a comfortable position.
2. Bring one hand to the opposite shoulder.
3. Pinch/squeeze the shoulder gently keeping your hand steady.
4. Move your head slowly towards the pinched shoulder and gradually to the opposite
shoulder, keeping your chin raised to shoulder level throughout.
5. Do this 3 times and remember to take deep breaths as you do.
6. Repeat with the other hand.
Alternatives:
• Try making an owls hooting sound while doing The Owl move.
• Blink lightly during this activity.
Some benefits:
• Strengthens your neck muscles.
• Improves focus and attention.
• Alleviates the habit of staring or squinting.
• Improves blood circulation.
• Improves memory skills
• Advances listening and computational skills.
