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BRAIN GYM EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN

Article · October 2022

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 Pesy

Quarterly International Journal of Physical Education Sports

Management and Yogic Sciences

ISSN Online 2278-795X, Print 2231-1394, VOL. 12, NO. 3, July – Sept. 2022

Peer Reviewed, Referred and with SJ Impact Factor 7.551

Papers written in English/Hindi

Editor in Chief
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Sharma

Sudhir Surya Yoga College & Research Centre

C-84, LIG Flats, Ashok Vihar Phase IV, Delhi 110052 Ph:
08733934440, 9868910376, 9990803459
Email: pesyoga@gmail.com
Website: www.mrdsect.online
PESY, ISSN Online 2278-795X, Print 2231-1394 Vol.12, No.3

BRAIN GYM EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN

Dr. D. Maniazhagu, Associate professor & Principal Investigator

(TANSCHE-MRP) Alagappa University, Tamilnadu
Dr. R. Aanandhi, Medical officer, Assistant Professor & CO-PI-1
(TANSCHE-MRP) Alagappa University College of Physical
Education, Tamilnadu
Dr. Leo Stanly, Professor in Education, & CO-PI-2 (TANSCHE-MRP)
Directorate of Distance Education Alagappa University, Tamilnadu

A fit mind lives in a strong body. Some enormously easy

exercises can improve brain function and make kids smarter, sharper,
improve their eyesight and creativity, boost their communicative skills,
and increase their confidence. These exercises are known as brain gym
exercises. Brain gym exercises hold several activities which help with the
children’s ears, eyes, head, limbs, and overall body coordination.
According to Baldwin (2017), brain gym is a of movements, done with
intention and designed to ‘wake-up’ the brain or to stimulate brain
function whose focus is to improve learning and mental organization. The
dependable use of Brain Gym movements wakes up neural connections in
the whole brain and body to make us feel safe and emotionally centered.
Brain Gym is used in educates systems around the world particularly in
the preschool to help preschoolers learn and understand faster. Brain gym
exercises are short and easy activities that the preschoolers can do to
release stress and enhance learning. Doing the movements doesn’t require
too much space so these can be done even is small classrooms. These
exercises are usually fun movements that are calculated to engage and
activate the brain. Most of the expansion of a child’s brain occurs in the
first few years of his/her life. Give brain gym exercises at this age and the
benefits will go a long way in helping the preschoolers. There are 6 brain
gym exercises that are good to introduce for the preschoolers:
Brain Buttons are meant to stimulate blood flow to the brain and
helps the child to concentrate and focus. Thinking Cap helps in improving
the child's hearing, peripheral vision, and short-term memory. The Cross
Crawl helps burn excess energy, making it easier for students to
concentrate on the teacher's lesson. Cross Crawls also help with
comprehension, as the movement engages both halves of the brain and
force them to work together. Hook Ups is a calming exercise that helps
students focus. Paddling Hand improves blood circulation and improves

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 PESY, ISSN Online 2278-795X, Print 2231-1394 Vol.12, No.3

the memory and attention of your child. Elephant Trunk stimulates the
brain, and improves the child's thinking ability, short- and long-term
memory, and attention. Brain gym movements is used to connect both
brain hemispheres (right and left), with the final aim of improving the
brain functions, balancing the effects of daily stress and tension and,
helping one reach an optimal state to help them stay in shape, to think,
learn and concentrate at any time. Brain gym exercises are based on the
work of Dr. Carla Hannaford, a neurophysiologist and educator with
about 30 years of teaching experience. Dr. Hannaford maintains that
learning occurs in every part of our bodies, not just our brains and the
intentional body movements can contribute to our learning. Her ideas are
specifically targeted to school age children. Many teachers have found
that starting the day with Brain Gym movements helps children to calm
down, focus, and perform better. A good time to do brain gym is right
before learning activities.

REFERENCES:
1. Baldwin, K. (2017). What is brain gym? Retrieved from
http://husnul-

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