Last week I posted a review of the book Delivered from Distraction, a book about coping with ADHD in a positive way. Here's part 1 and here's part 2. One of the suggestions that the author gives is to try a form of physical therapy called Brain Gym. They also mention the Dore method as a way to practice the brain stimulating movements. Both of these therapies/activities emphasize actions that take the arms and legs across the median of the body. This is supposed to be effective in helping children with ADHD, Dyslexia, and a variety of other learning and behavioral issues.

In the International Articles Directory I found an interesting article about brain stimulation and things a parent can do at home. Here are some of the activities that the author, MaryJo Wagner, who runs the "Brain-Based-Learning" website, suggests:

1. Give yourself a big hug.
2. Tell kids the only rule is to cross the mid-line of the body, right hand to left side, left hand to right side. Now let them invent ways of doing this.
3. Dance the hula. Or twirl a hula hoop.
4. Take a Brain Boosters TeleClass. Sign up at www.brainboostersforyourkids.com Or a Brain Gym class. Sign up at www.BrainGymClasses.com
5. Do the twist. (So you weren't dancing in the 50s and 60s? Ask somebody to show you how to twist or get a dance video.) Twist with the kids while you listen to some old Chubby Checker songs.
6. Rake some leaves with your kids, making sure you're raking off to the side instead of straight in front of you.
7. Play a board game. (Use your right hand to move your piece when it's in the left corner and vice versa.)
8. Practice using your non-dominant hand to reach for things on the opposite side of your body. Even writing and drawing with your non-dominant hand helps. (You'll get better with practice.)
9. Do Yoga and Tai Chi. Lots of moves cross the mid-line.
10. Cross your ankles and arms in front or in back when you're doing jumping jacks. Kids can usually do this. If you can't, try it in a swimming pool.

We are definitely going to start doing these things at home. I also really want to take a Brain Gym class and we're thinking about getting Little J involved in some Tae Kwon Do. Maybe I should do it with him. Most days I feel like I could use a brain boost!