For Teachers

Taking Brain Based Learning To A Higher Level

By: Byron J. Christensen, Ed. D.

      Much has been said and written about brain based learning in the past few years.  Most of the dialogue has been focused on understanding how the brain learns and teaching to each student’s neurological strength, thus the statement, “Many children learn differently and therefore must be taught differently.”  This may be true in theory, but as all teachers know, it is next to impossible to implement in the classroom.  Now new brain research has developed techniques to broaden and strengthen a student’s ability to take in information more efficiently.  After using these neurological techniques, the student can learn effectively through the normal presentation of information in the classroom, rather than changing the presentation to meet each student’s individual needs.

      After more than a decade of research and expertise from a team of specialists in a variety of disciplines, Physio-Neuro Therapy was developed.  Its success came from crossbreeding ideas from neurologists, psychologists, educators, pediatricians, sociologists, psychiatrists, and neuroscientists.  This new technique was first tested in an educational setting in 1988.  The outcome was encouraging and more studies followed.

      The new research findings upon which the Physio-Neuro Therapy program is based are as follows:

• The brain is in constant state of remodel throughout life.
• The strongest single factor effecting the remodeling is mental stimulation.
• An individual’s mental process may not develop at the same rate as their body.
• All brains have an inventory of stem cells.  These cells can move and permanently attach themselves to areas of weakness during specific brain-based exercises, thus permanently improving performance.
• Identifying and filling learning needs in a pro-active way is essential to motivation in learning and to the maintenance of positive self-image.
• Early intervention in treating learning difficulties is crucial.

       There are two phases in the learning process.  The first phase is the teaching phase.  This is the phase in which the student is introduced to scholastic information (reading, spelling, math, etc.)  This work is done by schools, tutors, and parents.

       The second phase is not so well understood, but is equally important.  It is called the neurological phase of learning.  This is the process in which the student’s mind takes the information and turns it into learning.  In this phase, one deals with such things as concentration (how your mind captures information), visual memory (how you remember what you see), auditory (how you remember what you hear), and many other processes essential for learning.  Physio-Neuro Therapy deals exclusively with this phase to strengthen the student’s ability to learn.

       The following concerns are addressed in this program: Dyslexia, hyperactivity, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), poor reading or comprehension, difficulty remembering, poor concentration/ short attention span, difficulty following directions or sequencing information, inability to complete tasks, poor self-image, directional problems, and hearing discrimination problems.