Movement & Learning
with Brendan O'Hara

Originally Brendan was a professional musician and teacher of music in his native Australia. He started understanding about brain function when learning Brain Gym from the originator, Dr. Paul Dennison, and Kinesiology from one of its founders, Dr. John Thie. Fascinated by observing the developmental stages in his own children, he went on to learn about the Infant Reflexes and the importance of integrating them. Using his musical background he developed innovative, fun ways of working with children to help them naturally progress through their own reflexes yet still maintain the excitement of new learning and new skills / behaviours.

“The Primitive and Postural Reflexes, sometimes referred to as the Infant Reflexes, are involuntary movements performed by infants. They are triggered by head/neck movements and sensory (touch, visual and auditory stimulation). Through the reflexes the infant develops from a helpless, immobile baby, into a walking, running, jumping, talking, upright human. Reflexes produce movements which the infant practices until he/she learns to perform them at will and voluntarily.”

For more about Infant Reflexes see Rappin' on the Reflexes, by Eve Kodiak, Musician, Teacher, Brain Gym® Instructor.

Brendan teaches his approach across Australia, SE Asia and now in Europe and America. A team member from Ladder of Learning attended his first European training in Germany in 2001 and Ladder of Learning were the first to import and distribute his books and CDs, detailed below, into UK.

Although the material was devised for working with children from 3-8 years of age, it has been successfully used with children up to age 11 and is exciting learning for adults willing to explore their own brain integration. The books are for Parents, Grandparents, Carers, Nursery, Early Years and Primary, Teachers, Support Staff, Active School Co-ordinators as well as Professionals and Therapists. Through song and dance they assist children of all ages to:-

• Develop Gross and Fine Motor skills, co-ordination and timing.
• Develop balance, vision, spatial and auditory awareness.
• Work at and build fluency across the Midline of the body.
• Integrate upper and lower body awareness.

Whilst the benefits seen are :-

• Increased concentration and calmness.
• Readiness for starting school to learn to read and write.
• Improvements in reading & writing.