Ratey points out that with the amount of information doubling every few years, it’s easy for anyone to suffer from information overload and get distracted. He says that our brain is designed to make sense of the surrounding environment as it existed 10,000 years ago. Since we live in an age of instant cyber solutions, our […]
Exercise Increases Attention Span Read More »
I would strongly recommend that you read Chapters 4 & 5 of Ratey’s book if you want documentation of how exercise reduces anxiety and depression. His conclusions include: 1. Psychotherapy and medication remain the two main treatments for anxiety and depression. 2. The chemicals activated in the brain when taking anti depressant medication are the
Exercise- The Magic Cure Read More »
Since brain researchers like Ratey are often accused of looking at the physical aspects of our being at the expense of environmental conditioning, Ratey takes time this week to share research done in the 1960’s that resulted in the formation of head start to overcome environmental delays in children raised in poverty. Research has consistently
Nature vs. Nurture Read More »
A recent article in our local newspaper had this headline, “Strong body, strong mind. Kids who exercise do better in school.” That is the Ratey’s point this week as he says, “When we exercise, we’re also exercising the areas of the brain involved in the full suite of cognitive functions.” Ratey points out that our
Growing Brain Cells Read More »
Ratey shares 4 benefit to exercise that go beyond just improvement in brain functioning; they are: 1. IMPROVED ATTENTION- Better physical fitness equals better attention because kids slow down and make sure they get their next move right. 2. STRESS REDUCTION- Students learned that they could reduce stress by running laps and thus manage their brain through exercise.
Side Benefits to Exercise Read More »
When the findings of brain research became more prevalent during the last 10 years, I was initially one of the skeptics. I had been taught in my training that people’s problems had more to do with the conditions they lived in daily rather than anything related to their physical well being. Now that proof is
Exercise Body- Stronger Brain Read More »
We’re going to start the new year reviewing a book by Dr. John Ratey who is a leading expert in the field of how exercise improves brain functioning. While we have always believed that the purpose of exercise is to make our bodies feel better, research now shows that exercise allows the brain to operate at
Exercise the Brain Read More »
To view the online version of these tips, go to www.coolkidchannel.com/e-tips/classroom 1. Group students strategically and change groups often. Place students who would not otherwise spend time with each other together. Give guidelines for the group work. Affirm students who make an extra effort to work well together. 2. Create a sense of belonging. Affirm
Back from Florida after one week. Found out it wasn’t very warm in Florida, so I spent a lot of time reading. I found a book in the airport by Tim Keller entitled “The Prodigal God”; definitely would recommend it to you. Keller points out that both the elder brother and the younger brother were
I will be in Florida when you read this. 4 months of living in our home while being remodeled and gray weather in Michigan finally pushed us over the brink. We did what all well adjusted people do under stress, we ran away. Anyway, I do hope and pray that as you reflect on 2011,
