[senco-forum] Brain Gym

Hi Chris
  Is Brain Gym mumbo jumbo?  As it is 'sold' probably.  I don't trust anything which costs so much money to deliver what is actually good old common sense.

  Is the theory of 'more exercise means better learning' mumbo jumbo?  I don't think so.  Nearest thing to a magic wand I've ever seen is 'Developmental Dyspraxia: Identification and Intervention' by Madeleine Portwood.  We use a combination of that, some of the 'Brain Gym' exercises and some stuff we invented ourselves to develop the physical ability of pupils in Year 7, especially those with dyslexia and possible dyspraxia.  We don't do much of it with groups in higher years though I'd like it to be used throughout the school as it is in some places.
  We were trained by an AST who works locally.  I suppose someone out there is buying 'Brain Gym' training at whatever price it is but we got ours free.
  We only use one TA to work with groups.  It would be great to have a whole school initiative - I'm working on it.

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

chris white <chris19251 at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

I know this has been discussed before but....
Opinions please:

I've seen the Guardian Article of a couple of years ago- 
Is this really pseudo science and a lot of mumbo jumbo? 

More importantly does it work?

Is it OK for primary but not secondary?

Is it one of those band wagons that people jump on and works for a short
time?

If it is any good - Who should we get to carry out staff training?

Thanks in advance,
Chris
Secondary Senco
West Mids

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall