The Fort Leavenworth School District is unique, not only in the State of Kansas but also in the country. What makes this district unique is that we are a State of Kansas Public School District entirely on Federal Property. Though we are on Federal Property, we are not part of the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) system. We adhere…
Although research shows that exercise activates the attention system, increases focus, modulates mood, and enhances learning, it remains an underused tool in education. When teachers and students better understand how to work with the physiology of one’s body, the educational experience is optimized. This is especially true for students with behavioral issues such as ADHD. Our response to students with…
We know, from research, that exercise activates the attention system, increases focus, modulates mood, improves behavior, and enhances memory and learning. Increasingly, schools, and in particular special education programs, are beginning to understand the value of exercise as an intervention. Yet there is still reluctance to allow students time for exercise in the school day, a result of the…
Exergaming as an Exciting Link to Promote Exercise in Youth By Dan Lawler, PhD In a recent study done at the University of British Columbia, Heidi Godman reports in her article, “Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills”, that regular aerobic exercise appears to boost the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in memory and…
Our great Exergaming friend, Dan Lawler Ph.D. has written another piece of Exergaming. This blog focuses on the Exergaming industry starting to focus more of SPED programs in school districts. We think this is an exciting new direction to bring the industry in, read on and tell us what you think! Another Tool for the Educators’ Toolbox By Dan Lawler,…
Dan is great friend in the Exergaming world, he understands its value and pushes for people to see it. One of our more recent installations was at the Estes Park Middle School – their Exercise Learning Center, and Dan explains how it can to be and why. Click here to see our SmugMug photo gallery of the ELC, and click here to…
By Dan Lawler, PhD “Schools can be an excruciating experience for kids with ADHD,” notes John Ratey, MD, of Harvard Medical School and author of SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. It’s not that students with ADHD can’t focus, but that they can’t focus on command. They are wired differently and working with that physiology can…
Most oftenwellness programs focus on improving employee fitness levels along withemphasizing good nutrition. Seldom isany specific attention given to retaining and improving the functions of thebrain. “A life-long commitment tostimulating brain activity contributes to quality of life, especially in thelater years. Exercises that promote brain health vary widely and include physicalactivities such as walking and intellectually stimulating activities. Amongother benefits, brain…
We always tell our customers that the products and solutions we provide serve more than just one population. In a school setting, a PE class, fitness class, special needs kids, and the sports teams can all get a tremendous benefit from the Exergame products. The key is how they use them for each population. Below is a great article from…
By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. Education Consultant Exercise 4 Learning The NeuroActive BrainBike™ is an exercise bike that trains the body and brain for fitness. The BrainBike™ was engineered by Dr. Stephane Bergeron, MD, president of Brain Center America (BCA), and a team of international brain specialists. It is designed to improve user’s memory, concentration, multitasking, and a complete range of mental…
By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. Education Consultant Obesity is a health crisis in the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world. On average, an obese person in the U.S. will cost society over $6,000 a year in loss of productivity and medical treatment. There are many experts and organizations in this country dedicated to changing this…
By Dan Lawler, Ph.D. Education Consultant Exercise4Learning™ As an elementary principal one of the most exciting interventions I have ever experienced was the implementation of our Exergaming® lab. Our school, not unlike many across America, had a minimal amount of minutes that students were receiving physical education. As a community, because of financial reasons, we saw little opportunity to increase…
