I was helping my granddaughter with the papers in her school folder this past weekend. Two of the letters she was to learn to write and recognize were p and d. Both of these letters require a student to be able to recognize left and right directions.
Two Brain Gym® exercises that can be beneficial to help a student know their directions are Lazy 8 and Cross Crawl.
Lazy 8s are done by drawing an “8” that is lying on its side. The student starts the Lazy 8 in the center, drawing up to the left. Variations of this exercise include using the right, left and both hands together. Lazy 8s can be drawn in any sizes. The student may also use various writing utensils such as pens, crayons, colored pencils, paint, etc. Lazy 8s relax the muscles of the eyes, neck, and shoulders while focusing and improve eye-muscle coordination. Lazy 8s also help the student recognize symmetry and improves depth perception. The Lazy 8s or infinity symbol integrates the right and left visual fields, enabling the reader to cross the midline without interruption. Source: Alternative Health Care, Space Age Interpretations of Age-Old Truths, M. Press. 1994. pg. 143. http://www.options-center.com/pdf/helens%20book/sections/section_3.PDF
Cross Crawling gets both eyes working together and enhances coordination and spatial awareness. It improves vision and hearing as well as breathing and fitness. It activates the brain for crossing the visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile midline, improving left to right eye movements and binocular (both eyes together) vision.
Cross crawl also helps with such academic skills as spelling, writing, listening, reading, and comprehension by activating both brain hemispheres simultaneously and is potentially the best warm up for all skills which require crossing the midline.
Procedure: While sitting or standing, lift one leg and touch knee with opposite hand. Repeat with other leg and its opposite hand in rhythmic cadence, back and forth. Source: Alternative Health Care, Space Age Interpretations of Age-Old Truths, M. Press. 1994. pg. 141. http://www.options-center.com/pdf/helens%20book/sections/section_3.PDF
For your information, I would be happy to discuss with you these exercises and any other Brain Gym® exercises. My email address is options@mtco.com. My website is www.options-center.com.
Partnering with you to make learning easy and fun.
Yours on the journey,
Helen
