The article briefly describes the background and characteristic of these two brain development centers and the potential improvement that they could bring to your child’s brain development. Finally, it will show you some testimonials and where you can find these brain development centers.

[Brainy-child has no financial endorsement or any other interest in the centers that provide them. The article provided here is strictly to be used as reference only. It is meant to give readers an idea of the choices of brain development centers and how they could possibly help to enhance your child's brain development]

Brain Gym
Brain Gym grew out of clinical studies started in 1969 by Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D., an educational therapist from USA, who was looking for ways to help children and adults who had been identified as learning-disabled.

Dr. Dennison’s research led him to the study of Kinesiology, the science of body movement and the relationship of muscles and posture to brain function. At the time, it was already well established that moving in certain ways is necessary for brain development. Babies and young children naturally perform what are known as developmental movements.

Dr. Dennison discovered how to adapt these movements so we can use them to stimulate our brains, even at age eighty. The result is a simple and highly effective system of targeted activities that prepare your brain and entire nervous system for optimal performance in all areas, intellectual, creative, athletic, and interpersonal.

“Brain Gym” is a program of physical activities that can be used by anyone and the activities are easy and enjoyable. The 26 Brain Gym is a program designed to activate different cognitive functions, including communication, comprehension (reptilian brain and frontal lobes) and organization (limbic system and frontal lobes).

Brain Gym brings dramatic improvements in concentration, memory,
language and number skills, reading, writing, speaking, athletic  performance and more. Learning with less stress and being able to express creativity are some of the benefits of Brain Gym.

Brain Gym can be integrated into different areas within the early years setting in a number of ways:

* Managing the learning environment e.g. to help children with transitions from busy times to story time, to develop listening and attention.

* As a way of helping children work through key developmental stages in their early years such as primitive and postural reflexes and motor patterns which are the basis for later learning. Integration of these reflexes can help develop balance and co-ordination, gross and fine motor control, attention and focus, speech, visual processing and self esteem.

Recognized in over twenty countries, Brain Gym has been named one of twelve programs representing “Successful Learning Innovations” annually by the National Learning Foundation since 1990.

Here is one testimonial:

“I found using Brain Gym® benefited all of the children, no matter what age they were. It generally helped them to concentrate and it helped them to become more receptive to information.” (SB Carlton Nursery, Glasgow)

You can find more details about Brain Gym and Brain Gym’s instructor in your country at the official Brain Gym web site http://www.braingym.org/

If you’re interested in the Brain Gym movements and the science behind Brain Gym, “Brain Gym (Teacher Edition)” and “Smart Moves: Why Learning is not all in Your Head” by neurobiologist Carla Hannaford, Ph.D, documents how and why the Brain Gym movements work in the brain.

The Shichida Method: Right Brain Training
Professor Makoto Shichida has been researching education methods
of preschool children since 1951. He is thoroughly convinced of the theory that all babies are born geniuses. He is a well known public figure in Japan, having committed the past 40 years to developing techniques to stimulate early development of right-brain education in children beginning in the womb and continuing through adulthood. There are over 300 Shichida Child Academies in Japan.

The Characteristics of The Shichida Method Brain Training
The left and right hemispheres of the brain have different capabilities. The right brain possesses the ability to retain complete image of things seen at a glance in the memory. Also, it is the receptacle for inspiration and the site of expression for image abundant creativity.

The right brain controls the abilities to visualize images and the realization of those images physically. Nearly all-successful people, regardless of their field of expertise, demonstrate the right brain ability of distinct image visualization.

However, as the left-brain develops, it becomes harder to bring forth the abilities of the right brain. If the child’s brain is stuffed with knowledge, it becomes very difficult to exercise and develop the right brain. (Note: This is where Shichida has different opinion from Glenn Doman teaching). The Shichida Method believes in not over-emphasizing on knowledge education, and that the cultivation of the child’s ability to learn on his own is of utmost importance.

Right brain capabilities that all children possess are:

Here is one testimonial:

“My son started answering math problems in writing at age of 2 and a half years old. He has no problem solving the four rules of arithmetic in 4 to 6 digits. In a matter of a minute, he can solve all these problems” (T.K. mother of a 3 year old, Okayama)

Source:brainy-child.com

*Nearly all pest problems can be solved without the use of toxic pesticides. Alternatives include the use of nontoxic products and substances to kill or repel pests, and also the use of techniques that prevent pest problems. These range from companion planting in the garden, to sealing cracks and crevices in the home where pests may enter. Many of these can be found in a variety of books that detail specific nontoxic products, remedies and methods. Do not use pesticides in your home or garden unless all other alternatives have been exhausted. Then try to use least toxic pesticides.

* Make sure your child’s school has policies in place that emphasize the least use of toxic chemicals, including pesticides. Many communities have adopted Integrated Pest Management techniques to minimize pesticide use. Parent involvement has often been the catalyst to reassess the need for using toxic chemicals in the school environment. See if such a group exists in your area as part of the national Healthy Schools Network. In order to protect your child from exposure when pesticides are used, inform the school that you, as a parent, want to be
notified if and when pesticides need to be applied.

* Give your kids a varied diet, buying organic fruits and vegetables and other foods whenever possible. Peeling and/or washing can in some instances remove surface residues of contaminants. Buying organic also helps support the growers and distributors of organic foods, who are contributing to the creation of an overall healthier and cleaner environment.

2) Reducing Risks from Lead

* Have your child screened by your pediatrician or family physician for lead.

* If you live in a home built and painted prior to 1978, it is likely to have leaded interior paint. The paint should be tested by a professional, especially if it is peeling. When possible, lead paint should be removed, but only by trained personnel, since removal can create even more problems when not done properly. When lead paint cannot be removed, surfaces and floors should be wiped regularly with a damp cloth, and children’s hands and toys should be frequently washed. It may also be possible to cover lead-painted surfaces with wallpaper, tiles, paneling or other materials.

* Check product labels for the presence of lead, and avoid the use of products such as hair dyes and lipsticks that may contain lead.

* Run tap water for a minute or two in the morning to discharge water that may be contaminated from leaded solder (used for sealing joints until 1986, and still commonly used in taps and water coolers).

3) Reducing Risks from Chemicals that Accumulate in Food

* Eating low on the food chain (more fruits and vegetables; less meat, dairy, fish and poultry) is an effective way to reduce your intake of the persistent chemicals that accumulate in animals that are high on the food chain or long-lived. These chemicals also accumulate over many years in humans, and are passed from mother to fetus during the most sensitive period of brain development. Fetal exposures are therefore best prevented by lifelong dietary habits that minimize your intake of these pollutants.

* Since these “bio-accumulating” chemicals are found mainly in animal fat, reducing your intake of animal fat reduces toxic threats as well as risks for heart disease. Animal fats are found in dairy products (especially cheese), processed foods, meat, fish, and chicken. You can lower your fat intake by consuming only low fat animal products, such as nonfat milk, and lean meat, poultry and fish, and by cutting away any fat that can be trimmed before cooking.

* Mercury, unlike other bio-accumulating chemicals, resides in the muscle of the fish, not the fat. Therefore, high-mercury fish should be avoided. Fish of concern include swordfish, shark, and freshwater fish in contaminated regions (commonly found throughout the US). Tuna, which is moderately high in mercury, should be limited to about 6 oz/wk5 (for a woman of average weight). [Read the articles about the harmful impact of mercury in fish: "Too much tuna could harm babies" and "FDA to review its do-not-eat list of fish".]

Before and during pregnancy and lactation, high and moderately-high-mercury fish should be avoided in favor of fish which are lower in mercury and other bio-accumulating pollutants, such as cod.

4) Reducing Risks from Household Products

* Use less toxic or nontoxic cleaning products. Commercial brands are available, or you can make simple cleaning solutions with substances such as baking soda, soap, and vinegar. The use of scrubbing pads and brushes can also eliminate the need for chemical cleaning agents. Modern household and bathroom deodorant products (e.g., toilet bowl deodorizers, air fresheners, surface disinfectants) and some cleaning products may contain solvents, suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and sometimes pesticides.

5) Reducing Risks from Building Materials, Construction and
Furnishings

* Toxic fumes and dust are commonly present during demolition and new construction. Pregnant women and young children should avoid
exposure to home renovations and construction areas.

* Bonded wood products (plywood, chipboard), carpeting and furniture may contain and off-gas volatile organic chemicals and other toxic fumes. Purchase nontoxic or less toxic furnishings and building materials when possible, such as solid woods.

* Installed carpets may be reservoirs for toxic pollutants (including lead, pesticides and dust). They should be vacuumed frequently with a rotary brush, fine-filter vacuum, or eliminated when possible. Removing shoes when entering the house can reduce carpet contamination by chemicals brought in from outdoors (e.g. lead, pesticides). Natural fiber area rugs are constructed without chemicals, and, in contrast to installed rugs, do not require gluing with solvents. Like installed carpets, area rugs may also be reservoirs for pollutants and should be vacuumed or shaken outdoors frequently.

6) Avoiding Solvents

* Numerous hobbies (e.g. painting, model building, furniture refinishing) and any activity using degreasers (e.g. automobile repair) or non-water-based glues are likely to involve exposure to solvents. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should completely avoid such exposures. Others should minimize solvent exposure by using these products only in very well ventilated areas, and avoiding skin contact.

* Avoid chemical dry cleaning whenever possible. Air out freshly dry cleaned clothes outdoors before wearing or storing them indoors. Leave windows open in the car when transporting newly-cleaned clothes. If you live above or near a dry cleaner, have your home tested for perchloroethylene contamination. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing should avoid any exposure to dry cleaning, including recently dry-cleaned clothes.

* Alternatives to traditional solvent-based dry cleaning are available. Wet cleaning processes using soaps and controlled application of water have been found to be extremely effective, and well received by consumers. Urge your local dry cleaner to switch to safer cleaning methods.

7) Breast-feeding

* Breast-feeding is recommended for a period of at least one year, since it provides a broad spectrum of important, proven health benefits to the infant.9 These benefits include reduced risks for life threatening diseases as well as mild illnesses. For example breast-fed infants have less pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, and meningitis in infancy, and later in life, appear less likely to develop asthma, obesity and diabetes. Mothers who breast-feed return to their pre-pregnant weight more quickly, and have improved bone remineralization and reduced risk of hip fractures in later life.

* While breast milk is contaminated by environmental chemicals, these exposures, unlike those of the fetus, have not been shown to cause harmful effects. Since the chemicals in breast milk, however, do increase the chemical body burdens in infants, it is prudent to decrease breast milk contamination. This can be accomplished by reducing consumption of animal fats, which are high in cheese, processed foods, and non-lean meat and fish. Since persistent chemicals build up in the body over decades, these dietary habits should extend from infancy through the
reproductive years. A diet low in animal fat prevents not only breast milk contamination, but more importantly prevents the fetal exposures that have been shown to cause adverse effects.

* Breast milk contamination should be prevented at its source. The
margin of safety in breast feeding, and in fetal development, should be protected by reducing or eliminating the production of these contaminants. For more detailed information, see What About Breast-Feeding? on this site.

Alcohol and Tobacco

* Children whose mothers smoked in pregnancy, or who were exposed
to second hand smoke, are at risk for impairments in learning and
intelligence. Pregnant women should not smoke or be near others
who are smoking.

Source:brainy-child.com