I had 53 kids in my class that day. The energy was through the roof.

And not just an average set of 53 kids.

No!

These were the troublemakers, the complainers, the tantrum throwers, the pouters,...

...and the geniuses.

 

 

Brilliant But Bad In School

All of them were brand new to my class, all referred to me by Mr. Pickens, the elementary school principal. (Smart guy)

And every one of them was struggling in school.

Nearly all had attention problems, comprehension problems, or following directions problems.

Most were brilliant, but school wasn't working out for them.

And all had been affected emotionally by their problems.

Lost self-esteem.

Lacking confidence.

 

 

Sink or Swim

Oh boy! Was I going to be able to handle this?

I didn't know, but it was go time. So no time to think about it. And I knew, if I didn't jump into action fast, failure was certain.

So jump I did

First thing, let's get them into their stances.

"Okay everyone, step back with your right foot. Pivot on the balls of both feet. Then raise your left hand!!!"

Bodies went in all directions.  Left feet stepping forward. Right feet stepping sideways. Right hands flailing.

I tried to find at least one that had got the instructions right. Just one I could use as an example.

None.

They had tried to get into position, but they used the wrong limbs and went in all the wrong directions. Lots of effort though.

Well except for a few

Like little Jimmy, he was making faces at himself in the mirror.

And Thomas, he was poking Susie then trying to look all innocent. He hadn't figured out that I could watch his every move in the big 60 foot mirror that stretched across the entire front wall. Poor boy!

And of course, there was Alex, the kid that, just before class,  downed three sodas like he was a frat boy with a beer bong and then followed it up with a huge hit off his albuteral inhaler. He was just spinning and spinning and spinning.

I got the feeling it was going to be a long day.

But in the end, it was an amazing day.

And I am so grateful for that day. Because that's where it all began.

That's when I discovered how teaching proprioception and boosting confidence were such powerful ingredients for helping struggling students.

Discovery!

That sounds like I instantly realized how important this was.

Yeah, I wish I was that smart.

Actually, it took me another 15 years before I really figured it all out. So I'm a little slow.

But that's still a discovery right?

Please say yes.

Here's how it really went down.

Parents started coming in. They'd drop by and say things like:

"I really don't understand it, I don't know why, but Johnny has started doing well at everything. He's following directions at home. Cleaning his room. He's a joy to be around. And, incredibly, his grades are way up. It has something to do with your classes. I don't know what you are doing but Pleeeeeeaaasssse keep doing it"

At first, I just took the compliment and smiled. Because truthfully I had no idea how I was doing it, or if it was even me.

Until it happened again. And again. And again.

 

 

 

"I really don't understand it, I don't know why, but Johnny has started doing well at everything. He's following directions at home. Cleaning his room. He's a joy to be around. And, incredibly, his grades are way up. It has something to do with your classes. I don't know what you are doing but Pleeeeeeaaasssse keep doing it"

Parents Kept Coming Back Happy

Over and over parents would come in with similar stories. Each time they were completely confused as to what was going on. But they didn't care. They had been suffering. Worrying. Trying everything. and now, seemingly for no reason, things were getting better.

Pretty soon I got used to it.

At that time I honestly still didn't know what was going on.  So I just smiled and said,

"That's great! Happens all the time around here"

Which it did. I just didn't know why.

Well, that was over 20 years ago.

Since then that same phenomena has been seen by thousands of professionals.

Thousands more parents have seen their children transformed.

Not only that, neurogenesis is probably the most exciting thing going on in neuroscience and education today.

It's such a big deal, you can't help but seeing it repeated in the news. There's always someone covering it.

After the neuroscientists started publishing papers on neuroplasticity and how it was caused by proprioceptive exercises, that's when it hit me. We had been doing those exercises all along. They were just a regular part of the Kung Fu classes I taught.

Turns out they have a dramatic effect on learning.

 

Key Takeaways:

1
Developing proprioception is at the foundation of learning
2
With confidence a child can do anything
3
That troublemaker just may be a genius
Neurogenesis is probably the most exciting thing going on in neuroscience and education today

Yep, I was a pioneer, even if I was clueless at the time. :-)

Since then it's helped thousands and thousands of kids.

Would you like to know how to harness that discovery to help your child too?

Just click here.

You'll be glad you did

Liz

Learning Success


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