Are you on the look out for new, fun ways to energise play sessions and motivate children, helping them to develop? Activities that take how the brain works into consideration could be just the thing - and they can even help you to improve your own brain function.
Over the last few years, new technology has made it possible for neuroscientists to look inside functioning, living brains. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers have been able to watch what happens when people learn and think. Consequently, new theories about the ways we think, remember and learn have developed.
Many experts suggest that children can benefit from 'brain activities'.
These require them to use different parts of their brain simultaneously, through physical movement combined with mental activity. (This happens when children pat their heads and rub their tummies). Stimulating brain functions in this way can extend neuro-pathways, maximising children's brain development.
Wired for thought
The brain consists of neurons (nerve cells) which transmit information to each other - approximately one hundred billion in all. Neurons send information via 'dendrites' and receive it via 'axons'. When neurons transmit information, a pathway is created between them. Over time, as thought processes are repeated, these pathways become stronger and more direct, allowing us to recall information quickly - we 'remember ' and 'know' things. More and more pathways are created in response to the stimulation that a brain receives, building into an incredibly complicated and unique information network.
Left brain, right brain?
There are three aspects to the brain, each responsible for different functions:
* Reptilian brain - used for dealing with basic functions, such as safety and security. It is responsible for the 'fight or flight' responses.
* Neocortex - used for problem-solving and intellectual thinking.
* Mammalian brain (or limbic system) - used for long-term memory and emotions. When we say something has been 'committed to memory' effectively, it has been stored here.
Traditional models of the brain showed two hemispheres, left and right. It was believed that each hemisphere was responsible for helping us to make sense of the world in different ways. Attributed to the left hemisphere were logic, language, mathematics and analysis, while attributed to the right hemisphere were pictures, imagination, rhythm and dimension.
Today, many scientists believe these functions are processed in different areas of the brain, but think that the old 'left brain, right brain' model is too simplistic. It is thought that the more each area of the brain interacts, the better brain function will be, although different people are inclined to think in different ways, and as a result they may respond best to different learning methods - visual, auditory or kinaesthetic. There are still many mysteries of the brain yet to be discovered.
Brain activities
In addition to stimulating neuro-pathways, it's believed that brain activities can positively affect:
* behaviour
* concentration
* attention
* motivation.
Children participating have reported feeling calmer, more motivated and more able to concentrate (see the research at www.braingym.org.uk).
Brain activities are known by many names. Some refer to 'brain-based learning ', others to 'educational-kinesiology' or 'ed-k'. The term Brain Gym( refers to a specific programme of 26 movements developed by American Paul Dennison. They are based on the principle that 'movement is the door to learning'. (The website has links to instructors and a list of authorised resources, including Brain Gym( books - see box).
Convinced of its benefits, many schools have introduced brain activities to stimulate children, to set an appropriate state for learning, and to help them to stay focused and motivated. Activities may be carried out for a few minutes before a class, or there may be 'brain breaks' throughout the day when a couple of quick activities are done.
These are certainly approaches that clubs can try, too, because, crucially for playworkers, brain activities are fun as well as beneficial. Children generally enjoy doing them, and over time they can enjoy a sense of mastering them. They can then try more complex versions of the activities.
The following are good for beginners, and allow for progression.
Heads and tummies
What to do:
1 Challenge children to pat their heads while rubbing their tummies.
2 Once they have managed it, get them to reverse the motions, and to swap over hands.
3 When they can do this, try pairing children up, and have each rub their own tummy while attempting to pat their partner's head.
Pendulum
What to do:
1 Children stand and relax their heads and shoulders forwards.
2 They slowly swing like the pendulum of a clock, left to right, three times.
4 Then they slowly return to standing.
5 Can children do the same if they stand with their legs crossed?
Figure of eight
What to do:
1 Have children draw the shape of a figure eight in the air, using large movements, starting at the top.
2 Can they do the same starting from the bottom?
3 Try starting from the top and then starting from the bottom with both hands in unison.
4 Move on to eventually draw the figure of eight from the top with one hand and from the bottom with the other hand simultaneously.
Names
What to do:
1 Using large movements, the children trace their name in the air.
2 Challenge children to then trace their names with both hands simultaneously.
3 Try different words - the name of your club perhaps, or a theme-related phrase.
Snaky, snaky
What to do:
1 Split children into pairs. One is the 'snake'. The other turns their back and closes their eyes.
2 The snake slithers their finger across the back of their partner, tracing a letter, shape or simple symbol (such as an equals sign) while chanting, 'Snaky, snaky on your back, what shape/letter/symbol was that?'
3 The partner tries to guess. If they're right, the pair swaps over. If wrong, the snake repeats the movement and chant until they've had three guesses. Then the answer is revealed.
Owl hoots
What to do:
1 Children put one hand across their chest to their opposite shoulder and gently squeeze, turning their head in the same direction.
2 They breathe in deeply and pull back their shoulders.
3 Keeping their chin level, they turn to look over the other shoulder.
4 They then turn their head back to centre.
5 Children drop their head to their chest, still breathing deeply, this time making the 'whoo whoo' sound of an owl as they breathe out.
Spinning Tops (helicopters)
What to do:
1 Children stand in a clear space where they will not touch anyone else.
2 Children stretch their arms out sideways and make a controlled spin in one direction for ten seconds.
3 They then stop, and spin the opposite way for ten seconds.
Body wobble
1 Children start by wobbling their feet and legs.
2 The wobble spreads to their hips, shoulders and arms.
3 Children accompany the actions with a low 'shivering' noise made with lips. The noise level rises as the body wobble spreads!
Miranda Walker is a playwork trainer who owns Playtime out-of-school club in Cullompton, Devon
Further information
Clapping games are also a great brain activity. For ideas, see 'Use your brain!', Out of School, January 2004.
Websites
www.braingym.org.uk
www.brainwise.co.uk
www.zoomlearning.co.uk/braingym
www.engagingbrain.co.uk
www.learningpathwayshull.co.uk
Courses
The Brain Gym (website has links to its instructors offering courses in the UK.
Books
* Accelerated Learning by Brin Best (Teacher's Pocketbooks, 2003, Pounds 6.99)
* The Thinking Child Resource Book by Nicola Call and Sally Featherstone (Network Educational Press, 2003, 19.95. Intended for early years, but plenty of ideas apply to playwork)
* Clapping Games and More Clapping Games by Jenny Mosely and Helen Sonnet (Positive Press, tel: 01225 719204)
* Visit www. braingym.org.uk for details of Brain Gym Teachers Edition by Paul and Gail Dennison
