How to use this website...
Nursery & Early Years
Please see the Summary Table, and read in conjunction with the following.
STEP 1: Getting a better understanding
The child development video set covering ages 0-5 (birth to starting school) is highly recommended for the Nursery Sector:-
- Because of the detail contained in the videos it is excellent for staff training sessions.
- Helps staff identify children who are on track or falling behind in naturally developing the brain function, key sub-skills and socialising abilities that will enable them to cope effectively with the Literacy and Numeracy programmes they will meet in Primary.
- The videos give tips on stimulating brain function to keep the children on track within a framework of play.
- A very useful resource to lend to Parents, or show at Parent evenings.
Follow this link to learn more about the child development videos.
STEP 2: Choose books
Choose books to add more background and introduce some useful approaches. Click on the book title to be transferred to the appropriate section of the website. Further informative websites are also linked into some of the book descriptions.
- Smart Moves: why learning is not all in your head by Carla Hannaford PhD
- Awakening the Child Heart by Carla Hannaford PhD
- Tomorrow's Children by Margaret Sasse
- When Listening Comes Alive by Paul Madaule.
STEP 3: Getting started
The books in STEP 2 will already have given some ideas.
- The Movement & Learning CDs and songbooks by Brendan O’Hara,
with practical explanations about brain functioning, are proving a popular
start point for getting actively involved.
Follow this link to learn more about and choose from the Movement & Learning Series.
- Brain Gym® is also now being widely introduced
to schools because pupils, Teachers, Support Staff and Parents see it
making a difference.
What Parents have said about Brain Gym and their children:-- “Calms them down.”
- “Gives the kids a chance to relax and think.”
- “He has made big gains in his writing and reading.”
- “Helped my son control his emotions & positively influenced his self esteem.”
- Brain Gym® Teacher’s Revised Edition by Paul & Gail Dennison
- Hands On – How to Use Brain Gym® in the Classroom by Cohen & Goldsmith
- I Am the Child by Cecilia Freeman – for children with Special Needs
- Into the Garden of Dreams – Pathways to imagination for 5-8s by Linda-Jane Simpson. A relaxing resource to help raise children’s self-esteem and expression in the classroom.
STEP 4
It is strongly recommended that one or more key members of staff attend training sessions to ensure the Movement & Learning materials and Brain Gym® concepts and movements are fully understood to achieve maximum effect.
Follow this link to find courses on Brain Gym.