Brain Research and the Classroom
by Eric Jensen
Brain research is providing educators with important information as to how children’s brains grow and develop. Having attended a class with Dr. Kathie Nunley regarding brain research, I am very interested in how we, as educators, integrate what brain research is telling us to more effectively teach our students. So I was excited to read a recent article from the January issue of OhioSchools magazine entitled “Bringing brain research into the classroom” by Eric Jensen. Over the next few blogs, I would like to convey to those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to read this article some of its salient points… [read more]
Summary of Effects of Exercise on the Brain
by Pete Trapani NSCA-CPT, CSCS, KBC1, FMS1, PE4Life Trained
All types of exercise provide benefits, especially aerobic exercise. Exercise leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that alleviate pain, both physical and mental. Exercise or movement create new neurons in the hippocampus, the center of learning and memory in the brain. This is referred to as neurogenesis. At a cellular level, it is possible that the mild stress generated by exercise stimulates an influx of calcium, which activates transcription factors in existing hippocampus neurons…[read more]
Autism & SPD* Therapy
by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR
I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional effect of the Makoto system. I recently had a young man who had left the military after two tours of duty in the Gulf. After participating in Makoto therapy he reported astounding improvement in his focus after even one usage and we were then able to work on his sense of self and his self-esteem. Makoto is an excellent tool for working on sensory integrative functions. We have seen amazing therapeutic gains in clients in motor planning and inter-sensory processing … little do they know it’s a therapeutic modality … in fact it’s perceived as a fun game! [read more]
Why Makoto is good for kids with special needs
by Makoto USA
Makoto is good for kids with touch aversion because although the sensors require touch to turn them off, the child gets to choose to respond to the sensors. After a while the child is engaged in the game and the touch aversion almost disappears as they strive towards the goal of getting a better score. Children who are sensitive to sounds also do well in the Makoto arena because the sound is adjustable. So therapists can adjust the sound the child’s comfort level so that the child can play. Because Makoto is so simple to learn and is easily adaptable to ability levels it is great for any child with PDD or PDNOS. Almost all children can have a game adjusted to their comfort and ability level to make the Makoto fun and engaging for them… [read more]
Exergaming is a Key to Motivating Our Youth Toward Fitness
by Dan Lawler, Ph.D. - Education Consultant / Exercise4Learning, LLP
“Kids work hardest at play,” the motto of Makoto, a leading Exergaming developer. They have it right, and Exergaming pioneers have it right, too. If we are going to make a difference with our youth, we need to reach them in a way that interests them, that catches their attention, and, ultimately, motivates them toward their life-long goals of fitness and health… [read more]
Brain Fitness
by Dave Shaw, Chairman, Makoto USA
Mind Training – the final frontier in fitness - is tying it all together. So how do we make the stronger muscles, the longer endurance, and the better flexibility combine to create better total human performance? The key, of course, to “tying it all together” is the brain. It is the brain that controls all of these functions in harmony. It is the communication between the brain and the body that determines whether all of this physical training is just for “looks” or whether we can truly improve human performance. It is the trainers’ job and the clubs’ responsibility to give their clients the opportunity to tie it all to together. This is mind training and it is the final frontier in personal fitness… [read more]
