Smart moves why learning is not

Pert, author of Molecules of Emotion. Carla Hannaford shows why and how the body plays an essential role in all learning. Her book will suprise, inspire, and delightfully instruct every reader. Since she has been an internationally recognized educational consultant, making hundreds of presentations throughout the world on the neural basis of learning and educational kinesiology. She was selected as a guest educator with the AHP-Soviet Project and has received awards from the University of Hawaii and the American Association for the Advancement of Science for outstanding teaching of science.

She lives in Kalispell, Montana. Trade paperback 6 x 9 pages. Spanish : Editiion Pax Mexico www. Israel : Nord Publications www. Arabic : Salah Algosaibi mailto: [email protected]. Complete Catalogue. Ordering Information. Several things bother me about the book, however. The least offensive is the way the book is illustrated. A good half of the book discusses the intricate workings and physiology of the brain, which is accompanied by hand sketched drawings and very difficult to read, hand written labels.

Clearer, more readable diagrams woul The author of Smart Moves, herself a once-struggling student and now a successful biologist, does a good job discussing the strong ties between physical movement and learning. Clearer, more readable diagrams would be a huge plus. Another issue I have with the book was the author's distaste for any sort of learning by rote or memorization.

A balance between the two must be struck, but the overwhelming trend in modern education is total avoidance of any memorization whatsoever and Ms. Hannaford seems to subscribe to that point of view. My final complaint is a general tone the author sets that seems to imply that we should only demand of children the things that come naturally and easily to them.

Of course children will all have different strengths and talents, but in addition to accepting and celebrating these strengths- which Ms. Hannaford wholeheartedly encourages- we need to develop and fortify the areas in which they are weak.

Yes, children should have time to move and shout and play, but they also need to be taught to sit quietly and attentively. Yes, some children are weak in math and strong in art or vice versa , but that means we should not only foster their art education but also redouble our efforts to improve their math skills.

Many things in this book are done superbly, however. The descriptions of the biological functions behind learning are easily approached by the non-scientist yet are also not overly simplified. Remedies and exercises for various common learning disabilities are presented with easy-to-follow steps and photographs. The author is quite comprehensive, yet concise, in scope, covering movement of the eyes, vestibular system, digestive system, etc.

In summary, an interesting and highly informative but certainly not flawless read. View 1 comment. Nov 01, Joyce rated it really liked it Recommends it for: parents and educators. Children need to MOVE throughout the day, not mainly sit still, in order for optimal learning to be facilitated. The author explains why. Apr 19, Marcy prager rated it it was amazing. Carla Hannaford is extremely scientific as she explains the "whys" of the difficulties students have as learners. She has helped many students activate their capacity for learning by having students participate in "movements" that will assist brain growth.

When we talk about what we've learned, the physical movements internalize and solidify it in nerve networks. Carla recommends many simple "Brain Gym" exercises that have proven to enhance children's learning. As a teacher reads to a child, children are totally engaged and listening. They are actively forming new nerve networks. They teach writing and reading from a holistic, gestalt processing format and then move to the details later, around age eight, when the logic hemisphere is ready to handle it.

Reading is not taught until age eight - and Denmark boasts one hundred-percent literacy. It has become so much more academic, leading to stress that directly impacts student learning. Sipping water throughout the day is essential to a child's well-being. Next year, I am also going to ask parents to pack at least two bottles of water for children to sip. When the water levels in the body are low A healthy body plays an essential role in all learning. Carla Hannaford has given me a lot to think about as I continue to teach children and do what is right for them.

This is not an easy read, but it is a must read for parents and teachers. May 23, Catherine Mikkelsen rated it it was amazing Shelves: movement-and-brain-development. If you lift the hood on what happens as a child develops, things get really complex, really fast.

But we have all sorts of new learning from neuroscientists, and one thing that the new learning has done is absolutely validate what we've been hearing from a group of people for thirty years now: the occupational therapists and movement therapists. It turns out that many of the pre-academic developmental stages have to do with movement. As Anat Baniel says If you lift the hood on what happens as a child develops, things get really complex, really fast.

As Anat Baniel says "Movement is the baby's brain developing. There's a lot of information in this book. Truthfully, it's a bit overwhelming. But if your child has troubles in school, or if your child is going to an OT, pay close attention to the issues, and then look them up in this book to start. Fascinating and well done. Jan 02, Carolyn Wilhelm rated it it was amazing. The author proves with facts, research, and studies of schools world wide that traditional schools do not reach all learners, and why.

She states, "It is time to see each child and every person as unique learners with their own specific time line and pace of learning. Important read! Oct 04, Katherine rated it liked it. I agree that 1 movement is important for learning, 2 different people learn and different ways, and 3 that our current educational system needs improvement to address these facts.

As for this book, I found it a strange combination of basic neuroscience and brain gym advocacy with a bit too much speculation and reliance on case studies. Mar 19, Cindi rated it really liked it Shelves: education , science , parenting. A fascinating look into brain development and function. I had to buy this book. I'm not quite sure what to do with the Brain Gym exercises.

I'm not sure I buy into that part of the book, but I still think anyone with kids should read this book! View 2 comments. I Love this book! It show how movement is so importantly related to learning. I would recommend this book for teachers and anyone else who is interested in how people learn.

May 15, Steve Voiles rated it it was amazing Shelves: non-fiction , psycho-neurological-educational. She explains the role of movement in learning and shows us how American school seriously miss the mark by excluding or minimizing physical education and the arts, supposedly in service of academic achievement. Hannaford explains how he stresses of testing, competition and hyper focused education destroy the play and free time needed for young brains to develop optimally. She summarizes a dizzying array of research and then makes it all practical through simple exercises that connect the body and the mind.

Brain Gym developed in this country by Dr. Paul Dennison in the 80's and 90's is a series of simple exercises which promote focus, memory and attention. The movements entailed directly address the stresses that block learning, too often ignored in American schools. Movement and the arts Hannaford tells us are not a kindly distractions from learning, they are key to it, and ignored at our cultural peril.

Aug 31, Suebee rated it really liked it Shelves: education-professional-read. Oct 17, Brad Needham rated it it was ok. Sounded promising, but after a bit it seemed to be just advertising a set of techniques as a panacea.

I was disappointed the author seems to feel that autism is something a kid can easily get over. Oct 25, BookBec rated it liked it. Interesting ideas, but not the best writing. Mar 06, Angie rated it really liked it Shelves: angie. Great info. It's helpful to find many of the exercises outlined in the book on YouTube. While the photographs included in the book do help translate her explanations of the exercises a bit, videos are the best way to learn these exercises and make them an integral part of the school day.

Jan 19, Diane rated it it was amazing Shelves: to-read-again-someday. Amazing book! I was so impressed I bought it for my own library. Great info on how physical activity can enhance learning for everyone.

And much more. Nov 17, Magda rated it it was ok Recommended to Magda by: Mairs. Shelves: non-fiction , unfinished.

I started getting really enthused, but then I looked up "Brain Gym" online and found an overwhelming number of articles reporting its failure to use actual science. So I feel kinda dumb for being so excited about the methods described in this book. But it did motivate me to empty the dishwasher. View all 3 comments. Oct 21, Robin rated it really liked it.