Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head

As a Z Health and Functional Movement Screen Performance Specialist, an RKC Kettlebell Instructor and a former Corporate Trainer; I have found this book invaluable... and I'm not even half way through it yet! I use a highlighter to mark areas that I find I will want to come back and reference and so far virtually every page is highlighted. Dr. Hannaford doesn't fill the pages with fluff, there is a lot of applicable education about the human nervous system, the different sensory systems of the body and how they all interact. By understanding how neural plasticity works we can determine how we CAN get people walking again, learning into their old age, make ourselves more coordinated and more intelligent, prevent Alzheimer's, eliminate ADD and many types of Autism. The human brain and nervous system is an amazing piece of equipment and Dr. Hannaford breaks it down into understandable chunks. She also provides real examples that both her and others have used to make amazing changes in both adults and children with ailments that were formerly thought of as irreversible and only treatable with drugs. Despite the cover which looks like a kids book (you will get it once you understand that physical play makes you smarter) this is a book written for the dedicated professional. The information would have helped me in my Corporate Training years but now as a strength & fitness trainer and someone who helps others get out of pain, it helps me even more so. Anyone who teaches languages, sports, or anything for that matter; or anyone who helps people get out of pain such as Chiropractors, PTs, etc. must get this book. Train Like An ATHLETE Not A Hamster! Brian Copeland, RKC, PFS [...] [...] [email protected]

This classic book lays the most solid foundation for understanding how movement grows the learning capacity of the brain, and why it's the most important learning parents can give their children!

This book is incredible. I'm actually quite surprised that there aren't more reviews on the book as it's been out for awhile now. There is a lot of scientific data to support Dr. Hannaford's research but it's not overwhelming for the average person. I am amazed by the stories she tells of lives transformed by simply integrating movement into their lives. We are so quick these days to label our children with a diagnosis and fix the problem with drugs, but I think she offers amazing information and tools for an alternative solution. She lays out some of the Brain Gym techniques that she uses with both children and adults and I think it can easily be implemented into our daily lives. This book and techniques are not just for those with learning deficiencies. I think that all educators should read this book and integrate it into their classroom. It would make a world of a difference in the learning environment!

As a classroom teacher in a public middle school, I was thrilled by this book. The combination of science and practical application is easy to read and understand. Included are some simple exercises to start with, and to get you hooked. I've just purchased one of the author's recommended books to use in my own classroom. I wish I had read this back in 2005. If you are curious about Brain Gym or the mind-body connection, read this book.

The insights presented in this book are essential for every educator to absorb. Hannaford's concepts emphasize the importance of recognizing that learning goes beyond simply acquiring factual information; it is a fully embodied experience. Implementing these principles into the restructuring of schools would amplify the transformative potential of education for all learners.

I have a son on the spectrum. He was diagnosed around two years of age and now is in Kindergarden. He was non-verbal for the first two years. We became super parents with the desire to learn more about ASD. What it entails, how we can help him grow and be himself. With a lot of love, nurturing and constant educating ourselves we find many things to work and many things not to work. We are currently fighting the school with his IEP stuff and where the school is not meeting his needs in the classroom. This book has put SOOOOOOO much into perspective that it almost has me in tears….as a kid school was a challenge and if I had a knowledge of this book I could only imagine how differently school would have meant to me. If there is ever a chance to be able to reach out to Carla Hannaford I would thank her over and over again for this insight. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Vincent Bas

This is an outstanding resource for anyone who wants to understand how the brain functions in general and how cross lateral movements, in particular, facilitate the communication between the brain’s hemispheres. It is full of examples of how Brain Gym ™ and similar physical movements can help learning and neuroplasticity. These movements are not just for children. I’m 68 and taking a Brain Gym ™ class and these simple movements are very helpful to me, especially in helping me get calm and focused. The only downside to the book, in my opinion, is that the author hand-drew the illustrations of the brain and the images are not as good as they might be.

The author proves with facts, research, and studies of schools world wide that traditional schools do not reach all learners, and why. She states, "It is time to see each child and every person as unique learners with their own specific time line and pace of learning." From labeling children, problem behavior, care of infants and life long repercussions of stress on families, she tells what we must do to fix our schools. Important read!