Archive for the ‘Neuro-Educational Approach’ Category

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Stretching a hyper-flex ball for a minute two times a day will build up the flexor muscles of the fingers.  Consider products like putty-eye creatures, squirt fish, poppers, puzzibits and button on a string to develop cortical opposition (index and thumb touching pad to pad) which is important for manipulating a pencil.  A “claw” can train muscle memory for holding a pencil correctly. 

Learn more about utilizing developmental advantageous toys to make the best opportunities available for your child as they get ready for their academic future!    Little Giant Steps offers free articles that instruct you in how to make a big difference in your child’s learning experience.  We back up this instruction with a wide array of products to make the most of the opportunitiy you have in helping your child’s brain get organized, insure mind-body connections that in turn gives them improved processing abilities, better thinking and comprehending abilities and most important is neurological efficiency for ease of learning that develops curiosity and a true love of learning!

 I just had to share a few more things from parents about the Early Learning  Foundations program and thought you might like more information about it. There is level 1 an level 2.   You can start your 2 to 5 year-old child on the road to success with this multi-sensory curriculum for early learners, and this program is a real bonus to those with learning difficulties. Best of all it’s fun and the children love it!  We’ve added a new DVD to teach you how to use this program more effectively! All facets of the activities within this program will stimulate the brain to improve and enhance your child’s Auditory, Visual, Tactile and Gross Motor abilities. You’ll be amazed at your child’s new found skills when they become neurologically organized. They will be able to stay on task, follow directions and they will enjoy learning.  Now, let’s listen to the parents:

“My 3 year old grandson absolutely loves to do his Early Learning Foundations each day. In fact, he would like it if I’d let him continue past the two pages you recommend. Each day he wants to do more. He had terrible ear problems between ages 1 & 2. He missed a lot due to not hearing and his speech was distorted. It’s amazing how he’s picking up in his speech now that we’re doing some of the neurodevelopmental activities. Thank you for helping our children!” C.R.  

“My three year old really enjoys working on the activities. One day I got some other activity books out that I had bought at the department store, my little guy said, “no mommy, I want my big school book (meaning the Early Learning Foundations notebook)” K. C.

Come visit the Little Giant Steps Store and see all the wonderful curriculum we’ve developed.

Today on the radio I heard a message from our state govenment educating people about the importance of the the first five years of development in a child’s life.  One statistic quoted states: “Those children entering school lacking learning skills and are behind developmentally, tend to stay “behind academically” throughout their entire school experience.”  On a state-wide basis they said, “If you want to retain a “good life”  and have our youth to grow up to be prosperous and innovative citizens, then we all must make sure they are made ready to learn by the time they go to school. We must invest time and energy in teaching them in their pre-school years.  This was music to my ears!  We all must take heed, as our slippage in our children’s academic abilities are at an all time low. The U.S. A. now ranks 9th in the world!

Little Giant Steps has been in the business in reclaiming academic lives since 1992, and we also noted our pre-schoolers are lacking in neuro-efficiency (ability to receive, comprehend, store and recall information).  When you look back at what the capabilities were in this country and the rigorous educational expectations were, today’s learning abilities pale by comparison.  The good news is that we do have a program to get our two to five year olds on track and it’s called “Early Learning Foundations“!

Here’s a couple of notes we have received ~ From some very satisfied customers:

“I ordered Early Learning Foundations for my “just turned” 4 year old. This is the most incredible curriculum I’ve ever had!! It almost makes me have “momma guilt” for not having it for my two older children. I also ordered ABC’s in a Flash and look forward to using it. K. S. in Spring, TX

“I put the pages from Early Learning Foundations (ELF) in sheet protectors in a large notebook. My three year old really enjoys working on the activities. One day I got some other activity books out that I had bought at the department store; my little guy said, “No mommy, I want my big school book (meaning the ELF notebook)”. K. C. in Katy, TX

Start your 2 to 5 year-old child on the road to success with this multi-sensory curriculum for early learners, and this program is especially helpful for those with learning difficulties. We’ve added a new DVD to teach you how to use this program more effectively! All facets of the activities within this program will stimulate the brain to improve and enhance your child’s Auditory, Visual, Tactile and Gross Motor abilities. You’ll be amazed at your child’s new found skills when they become neurologically organized. They will be able to stay on task, follow directions and they will enjoy learning.

 Seeing our children be successful academically is the desire of every parents heart.  This mother sent this note over to us concerning the Early Learning Foundations Program created by The Brain Coach, Jan Bedell.  The program, is multi-sensory and designed to meet the needs of  improving neuro-efficiency, which always results in improved learning abilities.  It also helps children struggling with school due to learning disabilties.  It’s amazing how they can overcome dysfunction when their brains get organized and their neuro-pathways start working with optimum connections and speed. Here’s what this mother has to say:

“The Early Learning Foundations program is amazing! Thank you! When we put our son back in public school after home schooling him for a couple of years, he started off right away needing to learn his math facts. We are really hanging in there thanks to this program. He is also being timed in these areas and this has always been difficult for him. His first test he made a 68%; but the last four tests – 100%!!!” K. M. in Midland, TX

Little Giant Steps has embarked on an educational series for educators and parents who are seeking to raise the level of academic achievement and help their children really enjoy the learning process.  It can be a reality for anyone who will do the simple and consistent activities  included in the Neuro-Educational Program that embraces the Neurodevelopmental Approach. These programs will help increase neuro-efficiency.  (Which a high-flaluting way of saying building more and stronger connections that can carry information with lightening speed between the brain and body.) 

This webinar, which we are inviting you to view, takes on another part of better learning skills by increasing ones processing skills, which effects short term memory.  So, find some time over the weekend, click on this link and discover a way to truly unlock your and your child’s potential:  http://www.anymeeting.com/LGSED/EE58DF8383

HAPPY EASTER!

Little Giant Steps (LGS) has been dedicated to improving learning experiences for all people for almost two decades.  The Neuro-Educational Programs they provide will assist people of all ages and across all spectrum’s of I.Q.  Why is this approach so universal?  Because we address the root causes in the brain that effect the function and efficiency in processing, and ultimate out-put ability.  As we say, “It’s all in the wiring!”

It’s interesting that the more resources we have in our technological society, the further behind our schools are performing when compared on the world stage.  Currently the U.S. is 9th in the world educational rankings.  What happened?  Didn’t curriculum get better?  Didn’t teaching methods get better?  The increase of dollars spent on education has continued to mount.  So, why does it appear we’re not getting our money’s worth?

It has to do more with something that’s gone missing in what the human biology requires than with any thing!  You see the human being arrives in this world not completely developed.  There are steps and stages of development that the mind and body must achieve in order to be as whole as possible and to function as efficiently as possible.  When our society was more simple with less gadgets, our children’s ability to process information was better.  Over the last 50 years, we’ve changed the way we rear our infants. We’ve gone from an auditory society to a visual one. But, we still have two ears that effect us globally when it comes to processing information!  Most of our children’s auditory processing abilities are below grade level. (Which can be reversed very easily – see the Free Auditory Test Kit & Auditory Processing Booklet). 

Infants need to be on their tummies most of their waking hours in order for the body to map the brain regarding their functional development. Unfortunately, what has been happening is we’ve been putting our infants in all kinds of carriers or seats and have been depriving the developmental needs for the convenience of being able to see the babies face and having them up off the floor. 

Quite frankly, for the best chance of development, the floor is the infant’s best friend. The experience of texture, temperature, feeling pressure, resistance, and all sensory advantages the floor provides to the largest surface of the body is just what the brain needs to develop. (And they won’t fall off of anything while moving around!) It’s through”whole body sensations and stimulation” that  the neuro-pathways, coordination, and sensory connections for the brain really begin to grow and become sophisticated.  The brain learns through experience where the parts of the body are, how they work and how it can refine function.  Having an infant sitting upright in a seat with arms and legs flailing around in mid-air gives little to no feedback to the brain.  It doesn’t learn how to control the limbs and all the other sensory information goes lacking, as does the development of neuro-connections when the sensations and stimulation are less than strong.  Babies need hard surfaces to push against to not only development their brains, but their neuro-musculature development is dependent on this as well. All this is essential for learning, thinking and processing information.  The faster the body and brain can communicate; the better the learning ability.

You see, the LGS Neuro-Educational Programs has been filling in those gaps for children, teens and adults, regardless of whether they are gifted, typical, or challenged. The brain and it’s circumstances of function can always be improved and become more efficient regardless of I.Q.  Read the stories of those who have turned things around through our methods.  I think you’ll begin to understand.   Then read the free articles about the Neurodevelopmental Approach and Learning Disabilities.  I believe you’ll be inspired!

I recently read an article written by a teacher from the 1800′s.  It’s as true today, as it was then. She understood that the brain needed to be prepared to learn. Now, we need to learn what’s been missed and forgotten in our child-rearing practices that leave gaps in our children’s development and hampers their learning abilities.  The good news is that regardless of your age, the neuroplasticity in the brain always allows for those gaps or lack of function to be filled and either created, restored or repaired!  It’s a win-win even for those with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, because it’s all about working at the root-cause level of the brain.  When the connections are in place, function improves and people are set free from learning disabilities and learning struggles!

                           Article written by:  Faith Haley, Neuro-Educational Specialist

By the way, Dr. Hannaford (Carla Hannaford, Ph.D., Smart Moves) also agrees with the experts about how fear and stress can open us up to disease.

She says that when you have …unresolved emotions where they build up over time into fear, the stress response is stimulated, leaving the system vulnerable to disease and inhibiting the learning process. 

She goes on to say that …research has found a connection with people and personality types who are unable to express their emotions and the increased chance of cancer and heart disease. p187

In the book, A More Excellent Way by Henry Wright, which has personally changed my life, it tells us about all the ways our disobedience, like stressing out every day, has adversely affected our bodies. We’ve allowed disease to enter through an open door, robbing us of the life we so desire. Here is an excerpt from page 236:

 …In the case of allergies we have a combination of less oxygen or too much carbon dioxide coming out of anxiety …when we have stress, our heart starts to race; we have repetitive breathing and the respiratory rate increases. We also have potassium levels that have been depleted, and the third stage of an anxiety disorder called the exhaustion stage sets in…

It’s in that exhaustion stage that we have the onset of many allergies and begin having problems with either hyper or hypothyroidism. Since a compromised immune system gives you a much greater chance of getting dreaded diseases like cancer, the following information is important.

This is the cancer profile from Pastor Henry Wright that he has found to be true in almost 25 years of research and ministry:

Cancer Profile: Denies certain strong needs and represses a lot of feelings – shuts down; poor ability to develop and maintain meaningful, long-term relationships without fear; hopelessness and despair; holding resentment; tendency towards self-pity and introspection; unresolved grief from the loss of a love object; getting fired or being rejected in a vocational pursuit.

You’ve just heard about a few ways that stress and fear can affect the body like developing disease, premature aging, digestive issues, breathing (i.e. asthma), or thyroid and heart disorders, just to name a few. It’s a good idea to check your thoughts and see if any of this rings true in your own life.

Now is a good time to check and see if any of the above sounds familiar. Are you holding onto bitterness, self-pity, the “why me?” syndrome; do we have unresolved grief, perhaps a death of a person or the death of a dream?

As a personal testimony I will tell you that I home schooled for a total of 23 years. I recognized, after some of Pastor Henry Wright’s good teaching, that I had been entertaining some bitterness and self-pity, “It all falls on me to do – the housework, the bills, the teaching and the directing of the children, the cleaning, the shopping, the everything!” I quickly repented of that self-pity and bitterness that had built up over the years because it just wasn’t going to get done unless I did it! Wow, what peace arrived at my door when I finally just let it all go! I used to proudly tell people that the big “S” on my chest did not stand for “Super Mom” but it stood for “Stressed Out”! That was not much of a testimony, was it!

Angela, a sweetheart of a girl, decided to write about her academic journey and her experience with our Neuro-Educational Program.  Read her story and get an idea about what could be for your child.

“My parents blessed me with the best education I could imagine, even though I might not have considered it that way when I was younger. I have experienced the settings of a Montessori preschool, public school kindergarten, home school for elementary, private school for sixth grade, and distance learning for junior high and high school. However, what made my education the very best it could be was that we worked on improving my brain function.

Do you want to know the secret that unlocked my full potential? Well, I had a neurodevelopmental evaluation with the Brain Coach, Jan Bedell of Little Giant Steps. She wrote a program (INP-individual neurodevelopmental program) especially for me to help my brain work better; it included academics and PE. At age twelve I became the branch director of San Antonio and earned enough money to be a tax paying citizen. My ability to travel for a job was made possible by my flexible school schedule with New College Preparatory Academy. The secret to unlocking my early maturity to handle the adult responsibilities of a job and independent learning was attributed to brain building.

It all began with a personal evaluation of my academic levels and developmental abilities. I started this whole process because my sister was doing it and my mother wanted us to go through it together. On the day of my evaluation, to my disappointment, I wasn’t aloud to eat anything with sugar and instead I had to eat a protein-filled breakfast. After my assessment was finished Mom and Dad talked with Mrs. Bedell who then wrote a program for me. Every four months I returned for a checkup and an updated program.

The INP created just for me stands for an Individualized Neurodevelopmental Program. It was like a to-do-list of activities that we put on a chart that I colored in once I was finished with each task. This Monday through Friday school week had three sections: (1) on my own, (2) with a tutor, and (3) with the neighbors. The activities I accomplished on my own included chores, specific listening, and computer memory games. Math using fifty percent input, echo reading using a New Practice Reader, and Sequential Spelling using auditory methods were all done with my tutor. We invited the neighbors over for a PE program that incorporated cross patterning so the two parts of my brain could communicate with each other. All of these activities worked together to organize my brain, which enabled me to hold a job.

For two years I have worked as an apprentice for Jan Bedell learning many aspects of Little Giant Steps. Some of my responsibilities included interacting with adults, babysitting children, selling product, handling money, and teaching program activities. Traveling to Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio one week out of every month was a lot of fun. My flexible schedule was made possible by distance learning.

New College Preparatory Academy (NCPA) is the name of my school, founded by Dr. Kuni Beasley, who helps kids ace the SAT, and who is in partnership with Howard Burg, the world’s fastest reader. There’s an affiliate school, called National Homeschool Academy, for homeschool students. At the beginning of every year I spend about a week boosting my speed-reading, studying, testing, and writing skills. What is amazing is that I was able to skip from sixth grade to ninth grade because NCPA lets me work at my own pace! There are two people who help me in school: my tutor, Liz Sweet, and my mentor, Cathy Bankhead, who grades my work when I e-mail it to her once a week. Distance learning is a great way to do education.

What made my education the very best, was good schools and a fabulous opportunity to enhance my brain’s ability to learn. When my maturity increased then I was able to handle adult responsibilities at a young age and excel in academics. My recommendation for you is to explore neurodevelopment because they say, “It helps anybody with a brain.”

This article will finish our series on Challenges and Changes.  We thank our guest author, Marcia  B. Blackwood for sharing her knowledge and wisdom with all of us.  If you’ve not seen the other articles, go to our website blog and read the complete article.  It will be a blessing!

CHALLENGES AND CHANGES ~ Part 3,  By Marcia B. Blackwood

We believe that parents are the most effective teachers and are the experts on their children, so they are an integral part of any evaluation. Their observations and insights are invaluable in determining how to remediate any learning inefficiencies. For children who are not learning well under their present circumstances, that is not in any way a reflection of their potential. It is, rather, a reflection of the inefficiencies they have today. If we can identify those inefficiencies and address them with appropriate stimulation on a regular basis, we can eliminate or remediate those inefficiencies.

One way to check your child’s processing abilities is to order our FREE Auditory & Visual Test Kit.  All directions are included.  If you wish to have more information on Auditory Processing the booklet: What Every Parent Should Know About Auditory Processing provides more information and ideas on how to resolve such issues.

Here are a few programs for helping children become more neurologically efficient and increase their processing  abilities:

Digit Span Cards        Detailed Reading Comprehension     Sequencing In A Flash