Posts Tagged ‘Learning Success’

Helpful Products:

Stretching a hyper-flex ball for a minute two times a day will build up the flex-or 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 opportunity 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/ ABC’s Lickity Split 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.

Each year Little Giant Steps (LGS) has had more opportunity to do research on this product.  It’s been exciting to see the breadth and depth of this program and how successful it is in doing what it was designed to do.  It helps to organize the brain, provides the right kind of “In-Put” so people from 5 to 50 can capture a skill that is imperative for easy math computation.  Rapid Recall System is the best supplemental skill-building program on the market that we’ve seen.

 Typically we think of this program being exceptionally useful for elementary students.  What we’re discovering is that it works just as effectively in Jr. High School and High School for more students (than a school likes to admit) who lack a working knowledge of their math facts.  The good news….. this program can bring about success for the challenged, typical and even gifted students, because the design includes the neuro-educational aspect of the Neuro-Developmental Approach.  This program, created by Jan Bedell, The Brain Coach, just keeps getting rave reviews year after year, as people discover it’s effectiveness.  Here’s note from a mother on Rapid Recall System:

“When I ordered the Rapid Recall System the lady said, “Be sure to share a testimonial with us when you’re through.” I thought to myself, “You may not want to hear mine.” Well, I am glad to share that you WILL want to hear mine!! My son is almost 12 and in 4th Grade, doing 3rd Grade Math. I ordered the multiplication one first thinking it would be easier since it’s just memorization anyway. We had to start with 0 times any number is 0 and 1 times any number is always that number. I’ll have to admit I was a little skeptical. NOTHING we have tried has worked before. Now he knows his multiplication facts and can say them quicker than I can flip the flash cards. My husband was as amazed as I was when he heard us practicing one day. My son also has gained even more self-confidence in learning these facts. Thank you hardly seems enough for your products! I have ordered several more and cannot wait to get started with him. He is excited too!!!”  M. M. 04/10

To see more of our research on Rapid Recall System please see our LGS Educational Services site.

We always appreciate it when parents share what’s happening with their child who is on the LGS Neuro-Educational Program.  This mom had some exciting news and we thought you’d enjoy it, too.

“I want to take a moment to share with you how excited we are about Miles’ progress. His improvement of more than 4 grade levels over the last 8 months is fantastic! Thank you for your periodic reassurance to keep at it and your reminder that progress takes time.

For any of your other families that question whether continuing with the program has value I can only say, the change in your child may not be obvious since it is incremental and you are seeing him or her every day. Trust your initial desire to help your child.

As each of Miles’ reevaluations approached I repeatedly wondered whether I should stop “wasting” our money. Was he making progress? Was this an exercise of futility? Miles has made a tremendous leap in ability in less than a year. The sense of achievement and pride that Miles enjoyed when he saw the results of his reevaluation was worth everything to us.”

Miles’ Mom

Each of us is born with tremendous potential.  A well functioning tactile system is imperative for receiving information and taking that potential to the next level, which will then be transmitted into producing intentional movement (crawling, walking, running, etc.).  Movement makes “memories” which causes the circuitry that releases intelligence.  There is tremendous brain growth in the early years and unless the brain cells are connected through neuropathways that are built early, they can be lost. It is a use it or lose it scenario.  Early development is like building a house, you have to have a good foundation in order for everything else to function properly.  The good news for an older individual is that even if these pathways are immature or incomplete, they can be rebuilt with proper stimulation. 

In recent decades, our society has become very mobile; with most families having two cars and the convenience of air travel, society as a whole is living farther and farther away from extended family members.  Neuro-educational specialists believe this separation from the extended family has caused many erroneous beliefs about child rearing to emerge.

 MYTH #1:  Babies should be on a blanket if placed on the floor. 

TRUTH:  As stated in an earlier newsletter, the tactile input to the brain would be limited by the blanket.  In addition to that, have you ever seen an infant try to crawl (tummy on floor) while lying on top of a blanket?  They just get all tangled up and frustrated because they can’t get anywhere.

 MYTH #2:  Infant seats are a necessity!  When an infant is sitting in an infant seat, they somehow seem more human; i.e., it is easier to see their faces and for them to see you and they seem happier. 

TRUTH:  The best place for an infant is on their tummy on the floor.  ON the floor in a prone position (on the tummy) is where they build the muscles for sitting alone and walking.

 MYTH #3:  Walkers are a great way to prepare the child for walking alone. 

TRUTH:  If a child does not go through the stages of tummy crawl and creeping on hands and knees for a long enough period of time, a ripple of adverse effects will occur.  Gross motor coordination, organizational abilities and eye-hand coordination are just a few of the areas that could be adversely affected.

 MYTH #4:  The more gadgets, i.e. Johnny jump ups, fancy walkers, play pens, etc., I put my child in the better. 

TRUTH:  The more time a child spends in these gadgets, the less time the child spends on the floor, which means less opportunity for the brain to be organized at the lower levels.  Lower level development is the foundation upon which all other development is built. 

 I encourage you to get your infants out of these gadgets and put them on the floor for lots of tummy time.  www.littlegiantsteps.com

As we close our week long annual meeting and re-certifying conference, we are so thankful for our leadership in Jan Bedell, (also known as The Brain Coach). She is the President and founder of Little Giant Steps (LGS).  Jan has had 20 successful years as a neuro-educational specialist. Her success has changed the lives of thousands.  She and her team of neuro-educational specialists intervene daily in the lives of children, teens and adults with learning disabilities.  This week of professional education made all of us recognize how blessed and grateful we are to work in the field of  Neuro-development and at LGS with Jan.   Jan also is a certified and experienced teacher who has created products and curriculum to help set those with learning disabilities free. As we, the team, have witnessed in our own children’s lives, and in the lives of our clients, “Learning Disabilities (ADD, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, PDD, Down syndrom, and other labels) are not life sentences.”   See our testimonies.

Currently LGS is providing a “Dyslexia Workshop”  for $14.97 that you can download or receive a DVD. This is an hour-long training session for parents, teachers, day-care, and after-school providers.  You will get knowledge on “how to” fix dyslexia and how you can make a significant difference in your child’s life. The symptoms of dyslexia can be eliminated, and without symptoms, then dyslexia no longer exists. The statements, “You must accept your Dyslexia,” or “Concentrate on improving your coping & compensating skills, instead of “curing” Dyslexia” are no longer true.  There are new modalities, the brain can change!

Two other “at-home-programs” she has created are:  # 1.  For pre-school typical children (ages 2-5) or for older children who are mentally challenged, the ”Early Learning Foundations “. This program provides readiness for school in math, reading, writing, but most importantly it will assure your child is neurologically efficient and functioning efficiently, as well.

# 2.  For 6 yr. olds to college age the “Developmental Foundations” has been successful in helping individuals eliminate learning gaps. Academic scores go up, behavior can improve and their ability to organize themselves is much improved.

We’re thankful for parents who recognize there is something  “not the way it should be” or “quirky in the learning area” and choose to seek answers where the root causes (in the brain) can be changed so the function & development is completed and normal.  See the our test results of what happened to these struggling individuals.  The door for success was opened and they are on their way to functioning in the range of their true, God-given potential.

Here is a note from a teacher involved in a research program done in 2008-2009:

After using the neurodevelopmental approach in my classroom this past year, my students improved academically, gained strength physically and matured emotionally.  These students individually were able to complete sequences of tasks without promptings as well as staying focused on the task that was before them.  Other adults around them commented that their reasoning skills as well as their organizational skills were far above those of peers.  Unlike other first grade classrooms in my past 18 years of teaching and those around us not participating in the program, these students were more respectful of each other and worked together to accomplish tasks without arguments.  Students were successful, so both the students and teacher’s stress level came down.   Together, we were working “smarter”, not harder. 

RAPID RECALL SYSTEM

What a fantastic math facts system!  In 18 years of teaching, I have tried many ways to teach math facts but this system was by far the easiest to implement and I had better results with this system than anything else I have tried – all in just 7 minutes a day!   Even my lower-level students flourished and were successful under this system.

Tanda Trussell, First Grade Teacher

Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips CISD

Stinnett, TX

The LGS Neuro-educational Approach is a program that provides the necessary brain stimulation to form neuro-pathways that were never developed during the earlier developmental stages of a child’s life. Each child will advance according to their own capacities.  (It also works on teens and adults - see test results) There are a myriad of things that keep our children from developing neurological efficiency.  Some have to do with illness as infants, some have to do with ear infections, but by and large most of our kiddos who seem to be bright, yet struggle with school were never given adequate exposure to activities that early on organize the lower levels of the brain, build a strong neuro-networks and connections.  We are raising a generation of children who have missed being on the floor and having “tummy time” which allows for the body to help stimulate and map the brain.  It is unfortunate we place our babies in the car seat when taking them home from the hospital, and for the majority of their infancy they remain in the up-right position and miss getting all of the vital tactile, neuro-stimuli that is required in order to process information at lightening speed and efficiency.  It’s all about the  mind-body connections.  What the LGS Neuro-educational Program does is to work with the plasticity of the brain to form, repair and even create connections / neuro-pathways to enhance internal communication.  Most of the “learning disability” symptoms literally go away when the child is experiencing the benefits of a well organized brain, good auditory & visual processing abilities (yes, we work with that along the way) and other areas that may show up in the child’s evaluation.  To discover more about our very successful programs, click here.   There are free articles for you to investigate the science, philosophy and design of our neuro-educational models.   Now, let’s listen to Jenny, a mom who discovered how her son could be helped:

“Our son came up two years academically in 3 months. The biggest indicator of progress to me has been that he is reading for pleasure! His problems are quite minor compared to what many families are dealing with, we were just frustrated at the lack of progress in several areas and felt like we needed an outside viewpoint. ”  – Jenny M.

By the way, we have designed curriculum utilizing our approach, as well as a Neuro-educational program called Developmental Foundations which is an at-home program that will get your child up and running with improved academic abilities.

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