History of Learning Through Movement

Paul Dennison, PhD is the founder of Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym®. Paul is a professional educator, pioneer in applied brain research and world authority on cognitive skills and reading achievement. Dr. Dennison produced an innovative new approach to learning: the 26 Brain Gym® activities, and the field known as Educational Kinesiology (Edu-K).

He received his doctorate in Education for his research on reading and cognitive development. His clinical research on the causes and treatment of learning difficulties resulted in the development of Educational Kinesiology (Edu-K), “learning through movement.” and Brain Gym® programs.

Brain Gym® began in the 1970’s when Dr. Dennison was seeking more effective ways to help children and adults who had been identified as “learning disabled.”

He drew from a large body of research of developmental specialists (applied kinesiology, developmental optometry, brain research, neurolinguistic programming, motor development, psychology, acupuncture, and language development) who had been experimenting with the use of physical movement to enhance learning ability.

The result is a highly effective system of targeted activities that prepare the brain and entire nervous system for optimal performance in all areas – intellectual, creative, athletic, and interpersonal.

Motor

Cognitive

Behavioral

Emotional

Visual/Reading

Increased ability

Improved ability

Increased

Increased

Improved

  • Sense of rhythm
  • Hand writing
  • Speech
  • Achieving automatically
  • Coordination, posture/gait
  • Increased capacity for sustained self directed attention
  • To learn new material
  • To sequence information
  • Produce smooth speech sounds
  • Integrate sensory information (Auditory, Language processing)
  • Motivation
  • Organization
  • Enthusiasm for learning
  • Increased emotional self-control
  • Increased self-esteem and emotional security
  • Overcoming the effects of emotional stress
  • Eye-tracking
  • Eye teaming
  • Spatial processing
  • Eye leveling
  • Eye hand coordination
  • Eye convergence

 

Brain Gym® is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation, Ventura, CA