Elsie Moses-Hoeg Webinar

3^rd Level Consulting: National Webinar Wednesday September 16^th 2009.

Presenter: Dr. Elsie Moses- Hoeg

Dr. Elsie Moses-Hoeg is an educator and independent researcher in brain studies and learning. She is co-owner of Fundamentals Gymnastics in Albuquerque New Mexico and the founder of the Da Vinci Institute of Learning.

Topic: Movement and the Brain – “Why is Movement important in Brain Development, and what is working”.

Below is a summary of what Elsie talked about to other Children’s Activity Centers around the country.

In recent years there is a barrage of new information in the field of neuroscience. The advancements in brain imaging technology have completely changed the way we think about the brain works - how information is processed and how the brain develops and grows. The proliferation of new studies and new theories can empower all of us teachers and educators to change the way we interact and work with students. This is a great time we live in, but we need to be cautious. It is important that what we choose to put in practice is backed up by considerable cause and effect research. And many times practical studies take a few years to become published.

What we Know:

Children’s’ brains are vastly different today than they were 20 years ago. Most children in the past spent considerable of time on swing sets and merry go-rounds. These are activities that the brain needs and craves for development.

Technology continues to change society at an ever increasingly rate. What children are learning today, will become obsolete within only a few years. What kids are taught in Science will be outdated in only a few years. Texting dramatically changes how kids learn to write. Online reading changes how kids learn to read. Most of the jobs that kids will apply for down the road, haven’t even been created yet.

The one common denominator is that all of us must become adaptable. Children for our future must learn how to become problem solvers. They must learn – how to learn! The goal is to create social, innovative, persistent, problem solvers.

What we need to Understand:

The brain needs the aerobic impact of movement. Movement leads to a chemical balance in the brain. For boys the heart rate should get up to 80% for 20 minutes. For girls it is 65%. Getting oxygen and nutrients into the brain can also increase a chemical that is responsible for creating new neurons.

The vestibular system needs to develop through movement. A strong vestibular system is critical to learning to read. The corpus collusum needs lots of movement for development. The corpus collusum connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. What we know is that in boys the corpus collusum develops about a year behind girls. This is one reason why girls are ready to read sooner than boys.

We need movement to learn. Learning new concepts is so much more powerful for kids when they can experience it with their whole body. The concept of over and under is important for children. Through movement children actually wire up and make brain connections through the whole brain. They access a broader range of circuits to learn the new concept.

Complex movement is very important for children with ADD and Attention issues. The more complex the movement the more parts of the brain that are activated. This has a calming effect and reduces stress. Activities like Gymnastics, Taekwondoo , and dance can provide the complexity of movement needed.

Movement is critical to children’s emotional health. Exercise increases self-esteem and positive attitudes.

The goal is to get our children ready today for tomorrow’s challenges. If we can teach our children how to be social, innovative, persistent problem solvers than they will have confidence that they can adapt to any situation. A key to all of this is engaging and enhancing overall brain development through lots of movement.