But if we re-read the words that open this piece, we see that cross-lateral movements activate both sides of the brain and stimulate the corpus callosum, which is the matter between the two hemispheres. Now, it may seem like a coincidence that following six weeks of cross-crawling, Todd was suddenly able to read (which is what the reading specialist contended – loudly). Six weeks later, Todd was reading – at grade level! He even went on to join the basketball team, which previously wasn’t possible for him because, even though he was tall, he hadn’t been able to dribble a ball! And, following high school, Todd went to college, where he received a degree in biology. To make sure Todd did it, the whole family cross-crawled every morning before he went to school and every evening before he went to bed.
Hannaford relates in Smart Moves: that of Todd, who at 16 years old, was still unable to read, despite the time, effort, and money his parents had invested in helping him learn.Īll that changed when his mother discovered Brain Gym and learned about the Cross Crawl, an activity in which an individual stands and alternately touches right elbow to left knee and left elbow to right knee. Regardless of that contention, in my keynotes and trainings, I frequently tell the story that Dr. The only way to learn to read is by reading.
CROSS CRAWLING BRAIN GYM PROFESSIONAL
Those are the words of neurophysiologist Carla Hannaford, writing in Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head, my favorite professional book.Īnd here are the words of a reading specialist who once, very publicly, as were consulting for the Sesame Street Research Department, took objection to a story I told about the role of movement in learning to read: Because both hemispheres and all four lobes are activated, cognitive functioning is heightened and ease of learning increases. When both eyes, both ears, both hands and feet are being used equally, the corpus callosum orchestrating these processes between the two hemispheres becomes more highly developed. These activities work both sides of the body evenly and involve coordinated movements of both eyes, both ears, both hands and both feet as well as balanced core muscles. Uncategorized Who Says the Mind/Body Connection Isn’t Real?: The Magic of Cross-Lateral MovementĬross-lateral movements, like a baby’s crawling, activate both hemispheres in a balanced way.
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