As mothers, we often worry if our children will be okay in the classroom. And if they will be able to learn, and understand what the teacher is teaching them. Fortunately, I have a few brain exercises that can help your child maintain optimum brain function and get ready for learning. These brain exercises are used in some classrooms each morning and are easy to do for people of all ages.

I would like to introduce you to some brain exercises for your child which are helpful in maintaining optimum brain function. And especially, to get your child’s brain ready for learning. Accordingly at some schools these brain exercises are used in classrooms each morning.

Our brain is just like any other muscle in our body, it needs to be exercised and looked after to function at its optimum level.

These simple brain exercises are called ‘Brain Gym’.

Here is a simple Brain Gym exercise for your children that you can do at home today. – It’s even great for us adults too….

It is called The Cross Crawl. This movement is similar to that of marching on the spot, with both arms and legs moving at the same time (see image).

The Cross Crawl improves the communication between the left and right side of the brain (logic and gestalt areas). In essence it is great for whole body co-ordination and spatial awareness. Subsequently increased learning capabilities as well as it enhances spelling, writing, listening, reading and comprehension.

During this exercise you march on the spot. Using the opposite arm and leg to cross over the midline. Center of our body – straight line from nose down the body,  and touch the opposite arm or leg.

If your child is having difficulty with this one:

Place a yellow sticker on their right hand and left knee. And a red sticker on their left hand and right knee. After that ask your child to match up the red sticker with the other red sticker and vice versa. This will make it a more visual exercise and allow your child to achieve. Once they are marching easily, then remove the stickers and your child will be able to start The Cross Crawl unaided. Continue marching for 1-2 minutes.

This is also great for adults, so practice it with your children every day!