brain-sprints

Make Math Easier with Rapid Recall System

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:53:35 GMT

Making Math Easier with the Rapid Recall System

For many families, math can feel like an uphill battle—frustrating, slow, and filled with tears. If your child struggles to remember basic math facts or feels overwhelmed when numbers start piling up, you’re not alone. The good news? Math doesn’t have to stay hard.

One of the biggest hidden barriers to math success isn’t intelligence or effort—it’s recall .

Why Math Feels So Hard

When a child has to stop and think about every single math fact (like 6 + 7 or 8 × 4), their brain becomes overloaded. Instead of focusing on solving the problem, they’re stuck trying to remember the basics. This slows everything down and often leads to frustration, mistakes, and a loss of confidence.

The Power of Rapid Recall

The Rapid Recall System was designed to target this exact issue. Instead of drilling in a way that feels repetitive and discouraging, it uses brain-based strategies to strengthen memory pathways and make recall faster and more automatic.

When recall becomes quick and effortless:

Math feels easier
Problem-solving improves
Confidence grows
Frustration decreases

How It Helps Your Child

The system works by combining short, focused “brain sprints” with repetition that is engaging, structured, and effective . These quick sessions help train the brain to retrieve information faster—almost like building a mental muscle.

Over time, you’ll notice:

Faster response times
Less hesitation
Improved accuracy
A more positive attitude toward math

Small Changes, Big Results

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t require hours of extra work. Just a few minutes a day can create meaningful progress. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Think of it like climbing a mountain—one steady step at a time. At first, progress may feel slow, but as your child’s recall strengthens, everything begins to click into place.

Encouragement for Parents

If your child is struggling with math, it doesn’t mean they’re “not a math person.” Often, they just need the right tools to support how their brain learns best.

By focusing on rapid recall, you’re not just helping them memorize facts—you’re giving them access to confidence, independence, and a smoother learning experience.

And that changes everything.

Strengthen Brain Function for College Success

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Struggling with the ACT?

Preparing for college is about more than studying harder. For many bright students, the real issue isn’t intelligence — it’s brain efficiency.

In this Brain Coach Tip, Jan Bedell of Brain Sprints explains how the **neurodevelopmental approach** can dramatically improve college readiness, ACT performance, and long-term academic success.

If your teen studies diligently, but:

* Struggles with standardized tests like the ACT

* Forgets information under pressure

* Has difficulty processing lectures

* Says, “I knew it yesterday, but I can’t remember now”

* Feels discouraged despite high potential

Then it may be time to look at the *foundation* of learning.

The 4 Foundational Skills Required for College Success

Academic success rests on four core brain functions. If any one of these areas is inefficient, performance suffers — even in highly intelligent students.

1. Brain Organization

Organization includes both physical coordination (how the body moves through space) and mental organization (how thoughts are structured).

Jan often references Albert Einstein as an example. Though a genius, he struggled in traditional school settings. High IQ does not guarantee an efficiently organized brain.

When brain organization is weak, learning feels chaotic and overwhelming.

2. Receiving Information (Short-Term Memory & Processing)

This involves auditory and visual processing — the ability to:

* Hold information in sequence

* Process it rapidly

* Integrate multiple pieces at once

This skill is essential for:

* ACT and SAT performance

* College entrance exams

* Fast-paced college lectures

Students with strong auditory processing absorb lectures efficiently. Those with weak processing may feel lost within minutes.

Jan recommends strengthening processing to at least a “9” level before college for optimal ease and success.

Simple training strategy:

* 2 minutes of auditory processing

* 2 minutes of visual processing

* Twice per day

Consistent frequency builds lifelong skill — not just for college, but for career performance, leadership, and daily communication.

3. Storing Information (Long-Term Memory & Dominance)

Once information is processed, it must be stored efficiently for retrieval.

Jan explains the importance of **dominance** — alignment of hand, eye, and ear on the same side of the body. When dominance is mixed, students often:

* Know material one day but not the next

* Freeze under pressure

* Struggle with test recall

Under exam stress (such as the ACT), inefficient storage systems often fail.

This is why some highly intelligent students cannot retrieve what they’ve studied.

4. Using Information Efficiently

The final step is retrieval and application. If organization, processing, and storage are efficient, students can:

* Recall information under pressure

* Apply concepts logically

* Perform confidently on tests

This combination creates what Jan calls **an efficient brain**.

Real ACT Score Improvement: A Brain-Based Approach

At a homeschool book fair, a mother shared her 17-year-old son’s story.

He scored a **14 on the ACT** — not high enough for college admission.

With only three and a half months before retesting, he began the Developmental Foundations Advanced program from Little Giant Steps.

After strengthening organization, processing, and storage:

➡ He raised his ACT score from **14 to 20** in 3.5 months.

This was not test prep.

This was not cramming.

This was improved brain efficiency.

When Brain Function Is Affected by Body Chemistry

Jan also emphasizes a critical but often overlooked factor: **metabolic health**.

Issues such as:

* Frequent illness

* Gut dysfunction

* Allergies

* Heavy metal toxicity

* Autoimmune stress

* Sensory hypersensitivities

can negatively impact brain performance.

When metabolic stressors interfere, students may experience:

* Brain fog

* Poor sleep

* Sluggish processing

* Reduced cognitive endurance

Addressing chemistry alongside neurodevelopment creates a powerful combination for college readiness.

Why This Matters for Homeschool and Traditional Families Alike

Many bright students quietly believe they are “not smart enough” when the issue is actually developmental inefficiency.

That discouragement can shape their future.

The neurodevelopmental approach empowers parents with:

* Practical at-home brain training strategies

* Structured programs targeting root causes

* Tools that build lifelong cognitive strength

Jan’s mission is simple: equip families so thoroughly that they no longer need her.

College Success Starts with Brain Efficiency

If your teen:

* Wants to attend college

* Struggles with standardized tests

* Feels overwhelmed in lectures

* Has strong potential but inconsistent performance

It may be time to strengthen the foundation.

Neurodevelopment is not remediation.

It is reconstruction.

And when the foundation is strong, college becomes not just possible — but productive and pleasant.

Next Steps

Explore resources, assessments, and training programs at Brain Sprints.

Neurodevelopment is a dynamic approach to life at any age.

Think differently.

The solution is not in the problem.

Adoption Isn’t Love Enough: How Trauma Impacts the Brain of Adopted Children

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:48:21 GMT

Understanding adoption trauma, attachment struggles, and neurodevelopmental solutions for healing and trust

Adoptive parents open their homes and hearts with deep commitment, consistency, and love. Yet many find themselves facing persistent challenges—difficulty bonding, chronic anxiety, emotional withdrawal, impulsive behavior, or defiance—that do not improve despite structure, therapy, faith-based guidance, and unwavering support.

This experience can be confusing and discouraging. When love, safety, and routine don’t seem to be enough, it’s critical to understand what may be happening beneath the surface—inside the child’s developing brain.

Adoption Trauma and the Developing Brain

Even in the best circumstances, adoption involves loss. From a neurological standpoint, separation from a biological parent—at any age—can be interpreted by the brain as rejection or abandonment. This early disruption can activate the body’s stress response system, flooding the brain with cortisol.

Excess cortisol during early development interferes with the formation of healthy neural pathways, particularly in lower brain regions responsible for survival, safety, and attachment. These effects are physical and developmental—not behavioral choices.

Why Love Alone Can’t Heal Trauma-Based Behaviors

Many adoptive parents do everything “right”:

Provide unconditional love

Maintain consistent routines

Offer a safe, nurturing home

Engage in counseling or therapy

Yet behaviors persist.

This is because trauma is stored in the brain and body, not just emotions. When neurological systems are underdeveloped or dysregulated, a child may remain in a state of survival mode—unable to access logic, trust, or emotional regulation, even in safe environments.

The Role of the Pons in Attachment and Trust

The pons, a critical structure in the lower brain, plays a central role in:

Bonding and attachment

Trust and empathy

Emotional regulation

Safety awareness

Fight-or-flight responses

Pain perception and self-control

When trauma impacts the pons during early development, children may:

Struggle to attach to caregivers

Appear emotionally distant or guarded

React intensely to small stressors

Have difficulty understanding cause and effect

Resist authority or appear defiant

These behaviors are often misunderstood—but they are signals of neurological immaturity, not intentional misbehavior.

Trust Issues in Adopted Children: A Neurological Perspective

Trauma can impair a child’s ability to trust:

Parents and caregivers

Authority figures

Their environment

Even their own internal sense of safety

This is why traditional discipline strategies often fail. A child who does not feel neurologically safe cannot consistently access higher-level reasoning or compliance.

Why Neurodevelopmental Intervention Is Essential

Because trauma affects the brain physically, healing must also be physical and developmental. Fortunately, the brain is highly plastic. With targeted neurodevelopmental stimulation, it is possible to rebuild missing or disrupted neural pathways.

Effective neurodevelopmental programs focus on:

Strengthening lower-brain function

Improving attachment and regulation

Supporting sensory and auditory processing

Restoring trust and emotional safety

Healing Through Neurodevelopment

One adopted child from Russia struggled for years with severe anxiety and emotional regulation. Despite extensive counseling, progress remained minimal. After beginning targeted neurodevelopmental exercises designed to rebuild lower-brain function, the child experienced significant breakthroughs in attachment, calmness, and relational trust—changes that therapy alone could not produce.

Auditory Processing Deficits in Adopted Children

Many adopted and foster children also struggle with auditory processing challenges, which affect:

Following directions

Staying on task

Responding appropriately to language

Emotional regulation and confidence

These issues are often misinterpreted as immaturity, defiance, or ADHD. In reality, the child may not be processing spoken language efficiently. Research and clinical observation show that brief, targeted auditory processing exercises can dramatically improve behavior, attention, and learning readiness.

A Root-Cause Approach to Healing Adoption Trauma

Adopted children may carry:

Early developmental delays

Subconscious emotional trauma

Prenatal or generational stress patterns

True healing occurs when interventions address the root neurological causes, rather than managing symptoms. Neurodevelopmental approaches help restore:

Attachment and bonding

Emotional regulation

Cognitive processing

Learning readiness

Behavioral stability

Children are not broken —they are often underdeveloped due to early trauma, and development can resume at any stage.

Support and Solutions for Adoptive and Foster Families

Programs such as the Developmental Foundations neurodevelopmental curriculum are designed to:

Rebuild foundational brain pathways

Reduce anxiety and fear responses

Improve learning and behavior

Strengthen trust and attachment

These approaches empower parents with tools that work with the brain, not against it.

Resources for Adoptive Parents Seeking Answers

If you are an adoptive or foster parent looking for effective, science-based support:

Explore specialized adoption and trauma resources at BrainSprints.com

Access free consultations to discuss your child’s unique needs

Use auditory processing screening tools to uncover hidden learning barriers

Final Thought

Adoption requires more than love —it requires understanding how trauma shapes the developing brain. By adopting a neurodevelopmental perspective, families can move beyond frustration and toward lasting healing, resilience, and connection—no matter the child’s age or history.

Why Reading Is Hard for Some Children:

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:24:53 GMT

Dyslexia Through a Neurodevelopmental Lens

Reading should not feel exhausting, confusing, or emotionally overwhelming for a child. Yet for millions of families, reading struggles become a daily source of stress, tears, and self-doubt. One of the most common labels attached to these struggles is dyslexia . While the label is familiar, the real question parents ask is far more important:

Why is my bright child struggling to read—and what can actually help?

At Brain Sprints, we approach reading struggles and dyslexia from a neurodevelopmental perspective , focusing on root causes rather than symptoms. This distinction changes everything.

What Is Dyslexia—Really?

Dyslexia is typically defined as difficulty learning to read despite adequate instruction and intelligence. While that definition describes what a child cannot do, it does not explain why reading is hard.

From a neurodevelopmental standpoint, dyslexia is not a single disorder and it is not a life sentence. It is a collection of symptoms that emerge when the brain has areas of inefficient development or poor communication between systems.

This is why two children with the same dyslexia label can struggle in very different ways.

Common Reading Struggles Seen in Dyslexia

Children labeled with dyslexia often experience challenges such as:

Slow or labored reading
Letter reversals or transpositions
Difficulty sounding out or blending words
Poor reading comprehension
Avoidance of reading
Fatigue or emotional distress during reading tasks

Traditional interventions tend to focus almost exclusively on phonics and academic remediation. While phonics is important, it is only effective when the brain systems that support reading are functioning efficiently.

The Missing Piece: Brain Development

Reading is not a single skill. It is the result of multiple brain systems working together simultaneously. When one or more of these systems is underdeveloped, reading becomes unnecessarily difficult.

Key systems involved in reading include:

Auditory Processing

Reading requires the brain to hold, sequence, and blend sounds. If auditory short-term memory is weak, phonics-based instruction can feel frustrating and ineffective. (see last month's blog post on auditory processing)

Visual Processing

Efficient reading depends on accurate eye tracking, visual discrimination, and central detail vision. Visual inefficiencies can cause skipping words, losing place, or slow reading speed.

Motor and Vestibular Systems

Balance, coordination, and early movement patterns play a foundational role in organizing the brain. Many children with reading struggles missed or rushed critical developmental stages such as crawling.

Laterality and Dominance

Mixed dominance (for example, eye dominance not matching hand dominance) can interfere with left-to-right tracking and reading fluency.

When these systems are not fully integrated, reading struggles appear—not because the child is incapable, but because the foundation is incomplete.

Why Labels Alone Are Not Enough

Labels like dyslexia can be helpful for accessing accommodations, but they do not tell parents how to change function. Too often, families are told their child must learn to cope, compensate, or work harder.

At Brain Sprints, we believe the better question is:

What developmental gaps are creating these reading symptoms?

When the brain receives the right kind of targeted stimulation, it can reorganize and improve. This ability is called neuroplasticity , and it remains present throughout life.

The Neurodevelopmental Approach to Reading

The Brain Sprints Neurodevelopmental Approach focuses on:

Identifying inefficient brain systems contributing to reading struggles
Strengthening foundational sensory and motor development
Improving brain organization through specific, targeted activities
Using input-based strategies before demanding output

Rather than asking a child to push through difficulty, we work to make reading easier by improving how the brain processes information.

This approach does not replace reading instruction—it supports it by preparing the brain to learn more efficiently.

Real Hope for Children Who Struggle to Read

When root causes are addressed, families often see:

Improved reading fluency and comprehension
Reduced frustration and emotional distress
Increased confidence and willingness to read
Faster learning with less effort

Reading struggles do not have to define a child’s future. Dyslexia does not mean a child is broken, limited, or incapable. It means the brain needs targeted support to complete its developmental foundation.

What Parents Can Do Next

If your child is struggling to read despite effort and instruction, consider looking beyond the label. Ask questions about brain development, not just academics.

At Brain Sprints, we partner with parents to identify root causes and build stronger foundations for learning—because when the brain works better, reading becomes possible.

You do not have to accept struggle as the norm. There is another path forward .

Help Your Child Move Beyond Reading Struggles

If your child is struggling to read despite effort and instruction, it may be time to look deeper than academics. Brain Sprints helps parents identify root causes and strengthen the brain’s foundation for learning.

�� Schedule a free consultation with Brain Sprints today.

Visit our YouTube Playlist on Dyslexia.

Auditory Processing- Tackle the Root Cause

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:44:34 GMT

Understanding Auditory Processing

The Best-Kept Secret in Education

If you’re a parent or teacher working with children between the ages of 5 and 18, you’ve likely seen struggles that don’t quite add up. Maybe they can’t follow directions. Maybe reading comprehension is a battle. Maybe they seem impulsive or socially behind their peers. What if the root cause of those challenges isn’t behavior… but auditory processing?

For more than 30 years, Dr. Jan Bedell—Neurodevelopmentalist and founder of Brain Sprints—has called auditory processing the best-kept secret in education. Improving this one skill can be

life-changing for a child’s learning, behavior, and confidence.

What Is Auditory Processing?

Auditory processing is short-term memory for anything that comes in through the ears. It’s the brain’s ability to take in verbal information, hold it together long enough to use it, and bring it back out accurately.

How Low Auditory Processing Affects a Child

• Difficulty following directions

• Trouble staying on task

• Weak reading and listening comprehension

• Impulsivity

• Social immaturity

• Phonics

Real Results Happen Fast

With targeted neurodevelopmental activities, auditory processing can improve quickly. Many families see gains of a full year or more in just a four months.

Give Your Child the Gift of Strong Auditory Processing

Download the free Auditory Processing Test Kit at BrainSprints.com and start strengthening your child’s learning foundations today.

⭐ Recommended Brain Sprints Products for Improving Auditory Processing

At Brain Sprints, we don’t just identify the root cause of learning struggles — we equip families and educators with the tools to change the brain. If your child is struggling with auditory short-term memory, comprehension, phonics, or following directions, the following resources can accelerate progress:

�� Auditory Mini Program

The Auditory Mini Program is our most focused and efficient tool for strengthening auditory short-term memory.

It provides simple, targeted activities that take just a few minutes per day and are designed using the NeuroDevelopmental principles of frequency, intensity, and duration.

Many families see a full year of improvement in just a few months with consistent use.

��Additional products to improve auditory processing

Digit Span Card,

Auditory Object Sequence Cards- Novice or Pro

Color Number Sequence Cards

�� Why These Tools Matter

Every Brain Sprints product is designed around the same NeuroDevelopmental principles that Dr. Jan has taught for decades. When auditory processing increases:

Behavior improves

Attention stabilizes

Reading becomes easier

Phonics “clicks”

Math skills accelerate

Social interactions improve

And most importantly — children feel confident again.

Unlocking Potential

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:42:21 GMT

The Benefits of In-Home Brain Training

Most learning struggles don’t come from a lack of effort—they come from how the brain is wired. In-home brain training offers a drug-free way to reshape those connections and tackle learning challenges at their root. You’ll learn how targeted neurodevelopmental programs tap into neuroplasticity to support real, lasting change for your child. Schedule your free consultation today to discover how in-home brain training can transform your child’s learning journey.

Understanding In-Home Brain Training

In-home brain training is a game-changer for families facing learning challenges. It offers a unique approach that dives deep into the workings of the brain. Let's explore how this works.

What is Brain Training?

Brain training is a set of exercises designed to improve cognitive functions. Think of it as a gym for the brain. These exercises target skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving. You might wonder if it's like homework. It's not. It’s fun, interactive, and tailored to your child's needs. Many parents find this approach refreshing compared to traditional methods. By focusing on cognitive skills, brain training helps children do better in school and life.

How It Taps Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain's power to change and grow. Imagine your brain creating new paths every time you learn something new. In-home brain training taps into this amazing ability. It encourages the brain to form new connections. This can lead to lasting improvements in learning.

Why does this matter? Because it means children are not stuck with their learning challenges. With the right exercises, they can overcome them. This approach is backed by science, making it a reliable option for parents seeking change.

Personalized Approach Benefits

Every child is unique, and so is their learning journey. In-home brain training offers personalized programs that fit each child's needs. This means your child gets the right support at the right time. The benefits are clear: better focus, improved academic performance, and a boost in confidence.

Parents play a key role in this process. With personalized programs, you can be involved every step of the way. This partnership makes the difference in achieving real progress.

Drug-Free Solutions For Learning Challenges

Choosing drug-free solutions can be a relief for many families. In-home brain training goes beyond temporary fixes, aiming for long-term success. Here's why it's a smart choice.

Targeting Root Causes

The key to solving learning challenges is understanding what causes them. In-home brain training focuses on identifying and addressing these root causes. By doing so, it helps children overcome obstacles that hold them back. Instead of masking symptoms, this approach digs deeper. It aims to create a solid foundation for learning.

Advantages Over Medication

While medication can help, it's not always the best option. Brain training offers a natural alternative without side effects. It empowers children to develop skills and strategies that last a lifetime. This approach allows families to avoid the pitfalls of medication, such as dependency and limited effects.

It's about providing a holistic solution that respects each child's individuality. Most people believe medication is the only answer, but brain training offers a different path.

Real-Life Success Stories

Many families have seen incredible transformations through in-home brain training. Take Emily, a 9-year-old who struggled with reading. After months of personalized exercises, Emily not only improved her reading skills but also gained confidence in school. Her story is not unique.

· Improved grades

· Increased self-esteem

· Greater motivation

These success stories prove that in-home brain training works. They offer hope and inspiration for others on a similar journey.

Empowering Families Through Neurodevelopment

Families are at the heart of the in-home brain training process. This section explores how parents and educators can play a vital role.

Parental Involvement and Support

Parents are crucial in their children's learning journey. With in-home brain training, you can actively support and guide your child. This involvement strengthens the learning process and fosters a positive environment.

Imagine being part of your child's progress every step of the way. This empowerment helps you understand and meet their needs effectively.

Educator Insights and Techniques

Educators seeking new methods can benefit from brain training techniques. These insights can enhance teaching strategies, making them more effective for diverse learners. By incorporating brain training exercises into the classroom, teachers can support students in overcoming challenges.

Educators play an essential role in this process, bridging the gap between home and school. By working together, families and teachers can create a supportive learning environment.

Scheduling Your Free Consultation Today ✨

The journey to overcoming learning challenges begins with a single step. Scheduling a free consultation can set your child on the path to success. This session allows you to explore how in-home brain training can help your child.

It's time to take action. The longer you wait, the more opportunities slip away. Start unlocking your child's potential today.

Through Brain Sprints’ unique approach, parents and educators can discover the benefits of personalized, in-home brain training. So why wait? Embrace a brighter future with drug-free, effective solutions for learning challenges.

The Real Crisis in Education:

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:56:18 GMT

It’s How We’re Approaching the Brain

by Dr. Jan Bedell

When news broke this week about widespread layoffs in the federal Special Education Department, many reacted with heartbreak and outrage. After all, these are the very teams tasked with helping our most vulnerable students. But as painful as these cuts are, they also shine a light on a deeper problem, and it's one that can’t be solved by budgets, staffing ratios, or more paperwork.

For decades, we’ve been managing symptoms instead of fixing the root cause. We’ve labeled children, created elaborate support plans, and taught them how to cope. But we haven’t given their brains the opportunity to build the foundation for academic success.

As a neurodevelopmentalist for more than thirty years, I’ve seen what happens when we strengthen the brain’s foundation instead of trying to compensate for its weaknesses. The results are often astounding. Children once labeled “learning disabled” begin to read fluently, retain information, and focus for longer periods. They begin to believe in themselves again. Parents rediscover hope for their child’s future.

Here’s the truth we’ve missed in the education system: the brain can be rewired. It’s designed by God to adapt, grow, and build new pathways. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s neuroscience, the principle of neuroplasticity. When we focus on developing the underlying skills the brain needs (like auditory processing, memory storage, and visual tracking to name a few), we often see problems like dyslexia, ADHD, or poor comprehension diminish dramatically.

Unfortunately, our systems aren’t built for transformation. They’re built for management.

We accommodate weaknesses with labels, interventions, and modifications, all well-meaning, but often lacking in restorative value. Considering the growing demand for services, those accommodations often crumble, leaving children and families more desperate than ever.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Imagine a classroom where teachers understand how to build brain function, not just deliver curriculum. Imagine students gaining the ability to process information efficiently, rather than being given extra time because their brains can’t. Imagine entire schools where “special education” becomes less necessary, not because we’ve given up, but because we’ve succeeded in making positive, foundational changes.

That’s what I’ve dedicated my life to, equipping parents and educators with the tools to strengthen the brain itself. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of children through neurodevelopment-based programs. I’ve watched families who once felt hopeless discover that their child’s brain could grow stronger, faster, and more efficient.

When we address the cause — not just the symptoms — we change everything.

So yes, the layoffs may seem tragic. But they’re also an opportunity to reimagine what special education could become. Let’s shift from reaction to restoration. Let’s stop labeling and start liberating children’s potential. Let’s equip our schools, teachers, and parents with what actually works: fixing the brain.

Because every child deserves more than accommodation — they deserve transformation.

Helping Your Child Become a Better Speller

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:26:08 GMT

The Hidden Foundations Parents Overlook

As parents, we often search for the “perfect spelling curriculum,” but here’s the truth: spelling isn’t just about memorizing word lists. Strong spelling skills develop naturally when certain foundational brain skills are in place. If those areas are weak, spelling becomes a daily struggle—no matter what curriculum you choose.

At Brain Sprints, we take a neurodevelopmental approach that helps children unlock their full potential.

Here are the three key skills your child needs for spelling success:

1. Strong Reading Skills

Spelling starts with exposure to words. The more your child sees words spelled correctly in books, the more those patterns are imprinted on their brain.

Children should ideally reach an upper elementary reading level before formal spelling instruction begins.

Reading gives the brain the “pictures” it needs to recall correct spelling later.

⚠️ Why some strong readers still struggle:

They may skim so quickly that they overlook details of words.

Sometimes, vision development issues (like weak central detail vision) prevent them from seeing each letter clearly, even if their eyesight tests “20/20.”

2. Visualization (Seeing in Pictures)

Have you ever written a word and thought, “That doesn’t look right”? That happens because you have a mental image of the correct spelling.

Children who don’t visualize often write phonetically without realizing the word is wrong. To build this skill:

Play strategy games like chess or checkers where kids imagine moves ahead.

Go on nature walks and encourage children to draw what they saw.

Practice short visualization exercises daily—just 10 minutes can make a big difference.

3. Visual Discrimination (Spotting Small Differences)

Spelling requires the ability to see tiny differences in words—like their vs. there. Kids who struggle with this often guess after just looking at the first couple of letters.

Ways to strengthen visual discrimination:

Play “spot the difference” activities in books or magazines.

Use structured games that require children to match very similar cards or words.

Encourage attention to detail in fun, playful ways.

We have ten levels of a Visual Discrimination Game .

Why Traditional Spelling Methods Fall Short

Many approaches—like writing words over and over, crossword puzzles, or phonics-only rules—don’t work for struggling spellers because:

Repeated mistakes reinforce wrong spellings.

Phonics can be confusing when rules are inconsistent.

Busywork doesn’t build the core brain skills needed for long-term success.

Instead, short, targeted practice with the right foundation makes spelling faster, easier, and lasting.

A Simple, Effective Tool: Spelling Flash

One of our favorite methods at Brain Sprints is Spelling Flash , a quick daily activity that imprints correct spelling visually. It only takes 5 minutes a day, avoids frustration, and builds confidence.

Final Encouragement for Parents

If your child struggles with spelling, don’t lose hope—it’s often a sign that some foundational brain skills need strengthening. With consistent, targeted practice in reading, visualization, and visual discrimination, spelling can shift from frustrating to natural.

At Brain Sprints, we believe every child can learn—and thrive—when given the right tools. ��

The Cornerstone of Math

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:13:08 GMT

Make Math Easier

Does your child get frustrated with math? Do they understand the concepts but make careless mistakes—or spend forever counting on their fingers? The missing piece is often math facts mastery.

Math facts (basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) are the cornerstone of mathematics. Without them, students struggle with higher-level math, even when they understand the process.

Unfortunately, the way math facts are traditionally taught isn’t always effective. Let’s take a look at what doesn’t work—and what does.

Common (But Ineffective) Ways We Teach Math Facts

Flashcards – Expecting kids to instantly recall facts that aren’t yet stored in memory is frustrating and discouraging.

Math Families – Grouping by “the threes” or “the fours” doesn’t prepare children for the random recall needed in real math problems.

Speed Drills – Timed tests trigger stress and anxiety, shutting down access to what the child actually knows.

Computer Games – While fun and fast-paced, these still demand output before the information is solidly in the brain.

All of these methods rely too heavily on output—trying to pull information out of a child’s brain before it’s been securely stored.

The Neurodevelopmental Approach: Input First

At Little Giant Steps, we use a different approach based on how the brain actually learns—through frequency, intensity, and duration. Children need:

Frequent exposure to math facts,

Intense focus (all senses engaged), and

Short, repeated sessions over time to lock them into long-term memory.

That’s why we developed the Rapid Recall System.

How Rapid Recall Works

Children see, hear, say, and write five math facts multiple times a day.

Most of the activity is input—information going in.

By the end of the week, students have had 60+ exposures to the correct facts.

The result? Even reluctant learners start to succeed. Teachers and parents report kids asking for more math because they finally feel confident and capable.

Why It Matters

✔ Saves time in math lessons—no more finger-counting.

✔ Builds confidence and reduces frustration.

✔ Helps older students (even teens) who “get the math” but keep missing answers because of weak fact recall.

✔ Supports any math curriculum.

When children know their math facts, everything else becomes easier—from long division to algebra.

Next Step for Parents

If your child struggles with math facts, you don’t have to rely on outdated drills or stressful tests. The Rapid Recall System provides a proven, brain-friendly way to master math facts quickly and painlessly.

�� Explore addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division resources at BrainSprints.com

Give your child the gift of confidence—and make math a subject they actually enjoy!

A Fresh Start—The Brain-Friendly Way

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:05:46 GMT

A Fresh Start—The Brain-Friendly Way

The long, sun-soaked days of summer are wrapping up, and it’s time to ease back into the homeschool routine. For many families—especially those with struggling learners—this shift can feel overwhelming. The pressure to “get it all right” on the first day is real.

But here’s some good news: You don’t have to dive in headfirst to have a successful school year.

Jan Bedell, known as the Brain Sprints’ Brain Coach, brings over 30 years of neurodevelopmental expertise to help families just like yours. Her approach? Start slow, be intentional, and focus on brain-based strategies that meet your child where they are—especially during the transition back from summer break.

Why You Should Ease In

Instead of jumping into a full schedule, try this:

✅ List and prioritize your subjects.

✅ Start with just two subjects the first week.

✅ Add more gradually over 2–3 weeks.

This helps prevent burnout—for you and your child.

Everyday Learning Counts

Learning doesn’t only happen in workbooks:

�� Cut pizza = fractions.

��️ Use new words in conversation = vocabulary growth.

�� Count or sort toys = number sense.

These simple activities build skills in real life—no pressure required.

Rebuild Confidence with Echo Reading

Help struggling readers with echo reading:

��️You read a sentence.

��️Your child repeats it.

��️You support them when they get stuck.

It builds fluency and confidence—without frustration.

�� Try the 3Rs Reading Series from Little Giant Steps. It starts with just four words per page!

Smarter Math Without the Stress

Skip the worksheets at first. Instead:

· Count snacks.

· Add up groceries.

· Talk about prices.

When ready, try the 50/50 method: you do one problem, your child does the next.

✅ Explore Visual Circle Math —a visual, scripted program that builds skills fast (even if math isn’t your thing!).

Movement Boosts Focus

If your child is fidgety or frustrated, take a 2-minute break:

· March in place (cross-pattern)

· Crawl on the tummy

· Skip or sprint

These neurodevelopmental breaks reconnect the brain for better focus and learning.

Start the Year with Confidence

The best learning happens when kids feel safe and supported. With these simple brain-based tips, you’ll create a homeschool routine that works for your child—especially if they’ve struggled in the past.

�� Want more?

Request a free Phone Consultation so we can direct you to the best Neurodevelopmental plan for your situation.

Subscribe to Brain Coach Tips on YouTube for weekly encouragement and tools.

For a more in-depth take on this subject you can watch School Reboot on YouTube.

Understanding Sensory Hypersensitivity in Children

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:07:45 GMT

When Everyday Life Feels Like a Migraine: Understanding Sensory Hypersensitivity in Children with Learning Difficulties

What if your child woke up every day with a migraine? You’d likely treat them differently—with more patience, compassion, and a desire to find the root cause. While your child with learning challenges may not have an actual migraine, sensory hypersensitivity can be just as debilitating—and it's often misunderstood.

What Is Sensory Hypersensitivity?

Sensory hypersensitivity occurs when a child’s brain overreacts to input from one or more of their senses. Instead of filtering information smoothly, the brain becomes overwhelmed by everyday sensations. This can affect their ability to focus, behave appropriately, or even eat a regular meal.

We take in the world through five main senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste . For most people, these inputs are manageable. But for a child with sensory hypersensitivity, any one of these senses—or multiple—can trigger a strong, even painful, response.

Examples of Sensory Overload in Kids

Smell: A child may refuse to eat because the smell of broccoli is overpowering, or they may gag entering a room with strong odors.
Sight: Peripheral vision sensitivity means a leaf blowing outside a window could completely derail homework time.
Touch: Clothing tags or textured fabrics like denim may feel unbearable, making dressing a daily struggle.
Taste: Some children may only eat bland foods—or only spicy foods—because their taste buds are overstimulated.
Mouth sensitivity: Certain textures may trigger a gag reflex or cause discomfort while eating, further limiting food choices.

When multiple senses are in overload, children can become so overwhelmed they just want to hide under a blanket and escape. This sensory stress can trigger cortisol and adrenaline spikes , which in turn affect mood, attention, and even long-term health—mimicking symptoms often associated with ADHD.

There Is Hope: These Issues Can Be Changed

The good news is these challenges are developmental—not permanent. With the right tools and neurodevelopmental techniques, you can help your child’s brain process sensory input more normally. As Dr. Jan Bedell of Brain Sprints shares from her 30 years of experience, these sensory issues that cause many of the symptoms of ADHD can be improved and, in many cases, resolved for good.

Techniques such as stimulating the trigeminal nerve (which influences the face, mouth, eyes, ears and nose) and targeted sensory input exercises can help reduce hypersensitivity over time.

Next Steps for Parents

You don’t have to navigate these learning and behavioral struggles alone. At Brain Sprints , we offer consultations to help you better understand your child’s sensory needs and create a personalized plan for development and growth.

Remember: You are the key to your child’s success. When you see their behaviors through a new lens, you’ll know how to help them thrive—without just relying on medication or coping strategies.

Want to talk with someone about solutions to your child’s struggles? Click here to schedule a consultation .

Math Doesn’t Have to Be a Struggle

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:32:09 GMT

Gain Math Facts Mastery in Minutes

Does your child dread math homework? Do you find yourself watching them struggle to remember basic math facts, even after hours of study? If so, you're not alone — and more importantly, there is a solution.

Summer Is the Perfect Time for a Math Breakthrough

Summer is often seen as a break from school, but it can also be a powerful time to strengthen foundational skills without the pressure of daily homework or tests. For children who struggle with math, this is a golden opportunity to build confidence and proficiency — especially with math facts that are critical for future success.

One of the most effective tools available is the Rapid Recall System — a scientifically backed, parent-friendly program that turns math frustration into math fluency, often in just seven minutes a day .

What Makes Rapid Recall So Different?

Developed by Jan Bedell, PhD and Master Neurodevelopmentalist, the Rapid Recall System is rooted in brain science. It uses the Three Keys to Learning:

Frequency
Intensity
Short Durations

This approach ensures that children not only learn math facts but retain them with instant recall — a vital skill for long-term success in math.

Why Parents Love It:

✅ Fast and easy to implement
✅ Only takes 7 minutes a day
✅ Boosts confidence and independence
✅ Increases test scores
✅ Reduces parent/child stress
✅ Optional online delivery format means no prep required

In a study conducted at West Texas Elementary School, students who used Rapid Recall scored 2.2 times higher on their math fact fluency tests than those who didn’t.

Real Results, Real Stories

“After 18 years of teaching, I finally found a math facts system that works! Even my lower-level students flourished.”
— Tanda Trussell, West Texas Elementary

“When we started using the Rapid Recall System, the light came on! He eagerly whizzed through addition, subtraction, and multiplication. His confidence has never been higher!”
— Heather Smith, Adoptive Parent

Don’t Wait for the Next Report Card

Give your child the head start they deserve. This summer, replace math frustration with confidence, speed, and skill using the Rapid Recall System .

�� Choose your operation and get started today:
�� Rapid Recall System – Choose Operation

Improved Learning Abilities Are Available

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:15:00 GMT

HOW THE NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH CAN IMPROVE LEARNING ABILITIES

Little Giant Steps, a NeuroDevelopmental Consulting Group has been helping families for over twenty years to improve the learning abilities of children, teens, and adults. We use an approach that changes the functional abilities in the brain. It may sound like rocket science, but it is actually a natural developmental process every human being goes through. Unfortunately, many of our children miss these vital steps, however, through the plasticity of the brain, can be picked up by following specific programs, many are like games, that increase learning abilities.

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach is a practice of stimulating the brain with specific activities that will bring about an increase in neuro-pathways, resulting in better neuro-efficiency. With better neuro-efficiency one can receive, process, store and retrieve information more easily resulting in improved organization, short term memory, long term memory, coordination and academic abilities.

If an individual has certain number of symptoms that are observed for at least six months, they typically receive a label. In our experience, help for a loved one with learning challenges is much more beneficial than a label. We work with the root causes of learning difficulties as opposed to teaching coping and compensating skills or medicating. Whether you or your child has been labeled, or is having difficulties with tasks such as handwriting or math proficiency, the NeuroDevelopmental approach offers the solution many have searched for. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

LEARNING MADE EASIER

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:15:00 GMT

Learning can be made easy! How? With all learning problems there is a root cause that can be identified and remedied. When the brain and body are communicating efficiently then sensory input is improved and the learning process can become a joy. Learning Disabilities has become an epidemic in the United States. Labels like Dyslexia, ADD/ ADHD, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delays), and Autism. These labels have invaded the lives of children and their families and have forever changed the landscape of education. Has the joy of learning been diminished? Yes, it has without a doubt.

The professionals at Little Giant Steps are trained to utilize The Neurodevelopmental Approach and have had many years of success in making learning fun again! We address these "symptoms" by using a two-fold assessment. First, using a battery of educational tests, a baseline for math, reading and comprehension are established. Next, a developmental evaluation where nine levels of development in six areas of function are assessed. This information gives the Neurodevelopmentalist or Neuro-Educational Specialist the basis for writing an individualized program. The program will address the root causes. The one common element in all learning issues, from our point of view, has to do with sensory dysfunction. Built into the brain is the element of neuroplasticity which is the natural ability of the brain to change, or repair those areas that are deficient, incomplete, or damaged. We know we can make a difference in the lives of our clients, because we've seen it over and over again. Learning can truly be made a joyful experience that will last a lifetime.

"Learning Disabilities Don't Have To Last A Lifetime!"

Tummy Time

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 11:15:00 GMT

MOST IMPORTANT INFANT'S DEVLOPMENT

You know how important a solid foundation is for a building. Did you know, for infants, time spent on their tummy is just as foundationally important to their learning abilities, if not more so?

God gave us infants who are not developmentally "complete" once out of the womb. They have "Big Developmental Activities" that must be completed - (especially in developing their brain and body connections). The way to accomplish these crutial events is by being on their tummies most waking hours. This is how the brain is mapped (connected) to their body parts. The brain must learn through the largest sensory system of the body - the skin. The way to get the skin totally involved is by the baby being on their tummy! Without signals from stimulation, pressure, temperature, stretching, pushing, pulling, eye-tracking, lifting their head and shoulders, the lower levels of the brain don't start to get organized, and many other bodily-system connections don't develop properly. To grow neuro-connections that send signals from the brain to various body parts, the infant must have daily encounters on a hard surface, so they can have the "workout" that's required to build brain/body connections, muscles in arms, legs, necks, shoulders, back, development of eye-tracking, focusing, looking, and developing sensory knowledge of the world around them ~ hard, soft, cold, warm, hot, wet, dry, etc.

These much-needed connections growing between their brain and body is responsible for developing intentional acts rather than random movement. Without the neuro-connections, the neuro-muscular development, the child will suffer from lack of integration, physical, mental and functional delays. The good news is that these infants, toddlers, children, teens, and even adults can always receive a NeuroDevelopmental Program that will bring about the functional abilities that were missed in the early years. Life without being a whole, functionally-rich person is frustrating, causes depression, hopelessness, self-hatred, behavior issues, and poor adapting abilities along with very poor self-esteem. It's like competing in a world with your hands and brain tied behind your back! When a person can't learn due to neuro-inefficiencies it is devastating. Please know that having a learning disability does not have to last a lifetime. The intervention of a Brain Training Program can bring about a totally new life and an approach that is healthy, strong and vital!

Learn More with our articles , and free webinars and podcasts

PLEASE.... HAVE YOUR BABY ON THEIR TUMMIES DURING THEIR WAKING HOURS! All this results in their brains being stimulated so neuro-connections are made and they develop into functionally coordinated and organized children and later adults! They deserve the best learning foundation possible!

To Label or Not To Label? That is the question.

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 11:15:00 GMT

This podcast discusses whether or not labels are effective and the amazing work from Dr. Jan Bedell at Little Giant Steps.

The latest podcast discusses the challenging world out there for parents of struggling learners. Take a few minutes to listen and learn.

All types of questions arise like these and Dr. Jan will address:

Why can’t my child stay focused on his work?
Why can’t she remember from one day to the next? Is she just not paying attention or is there something else at the bottom of this?
Is this a character/behavior issue or is there another reason for this inability to follow directions?
Why is reading, math, spelling and/or writing so hard for her/him?
Why are textures of food such an issue?
Shouldn’t getting dressed in the morning be a little easier? After all it is just a sock!
Do I need to get him/her tested for a learning disability?

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach takes a different look at the symptoms in the questions listed above. Looking for what causes these challenges is the first step toward finding the way to stimulate the brain so it changes. A changed brain produces changed abilities. Changed abilities causes changed behaviors. Many times labels like dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia frequently come with a vague list of things that could be tried and often leave parents confused as to what to do next. Sometimes labels come with recommendations for expensive therapies. The “Brain Coach Tip” here is that these type labels can and often should be avoided.

Innovative Math Program for Struggling Students

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:15:01 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell, PhD, M.ND has brought together the elements that allows for math conceptual understanding. like no other. Visual Circle Math offers an effective paradigm shift in the way math is taught. The student is shown visually how to solve math problems repeatedly before the expectation of solving the problem alone occurs. This method leads to true learning that lasts a lifetime. All procedures are based on the NeuroDevelopmental Approach.

The techniques used in the application is as important to the developmental processes, as is the subject matter. This is true because stimulating the development of the brain and body connections are impacted simultaneously.

This program is designed to start a beginning mathematician out with a good foundation of math concepts or quickly accelerate those students that are struggling or bored with the current math curriculum. Visual Circle Math meets a broad range of needs. Concepts range from kindergarten level to the beginning of 5th grade.

The Visual Circle Math method:

Diminishes math fact errors with simple strategies
Allows the student to advance confidently in understanding each math concepts
Enhances the student’s ability to remember math concepts in long term memory

School Reboot Podcast

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:58:40 GMT

Breaks from school typically come with other challenges that make it fun, stressful, wonderful and exhausting. Now it is time to get back in the groove for a successful new semester. This can come with its own challenges but is often intensified when a child has learning struggles or label. Take a break and listen here .

Getting back into math for many children and especially for those with dyscalculia or math dread can be challenging to put it mildly. Jan Bedell, the Brain Coach will give you tips on how to make that transition much easier. The recall of previously learned math concepts can be an easy one with the right technique.

Dr. Jan Bedell, Little Giant Steps' Brain Coach says:

Hints for the first few days back at school after the break:

Start with only one or two subjects the first few days and add a little at a time.
Spend time reading to the children for extended amount of time to get them back in the habit of sustained focus.

The Absent-Minded Professor At Home

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 02:00:00 GMT

Do you have an Absent-Minded Professor at your house? The child that is really smart but has a low attention span, trouble sitting still, difficulty following directions, knows something one day and not the next, overreacts to sounds, touch, etc. Many of these are symptoms of ADD/ADHD and from our point of view are caused by something in the brain that is not quite working the way it should.

Join Dr. Jan Bedell, on Brain Coach Tips podcast and learn what you can do to help organize the brain (thought processes), and improve auditory processing (short-term memory). It's all a matter of development! Practice, in this case, makes perfect!

STOP Overacting It's Not That Loud

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 01:45:00 GMT

When a child suffers from sensory overload, the experience not only sends them into a fight or flight response, but for them it is a very painful ordeal.

Auditory sensitivity leaves a child, teen or an adult in a state of discomfort from which they only want to reduce or stop immediately. It is said auditory sensory issues are a processing disorder. Some are born with it. The good news is that there can be relief through the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life. This approach focuses on the root cause in the brain and through specific stimulation activities impacts the neuroplasticity within the brain which allows the brain to change, develop new connections, or to repair them and bring the functional ability of experiencing sound into the normal range.

Dr. Jan Bedell speaks to this issue, the techniques and skills that you can learn quite easily on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show through her podcasts entitled, Brain Coach Tips. This podcast is #20. Neurodevelopmentalist, Ruth Young joins her in this presentation.

Learn, grow and gain new skills to give relief to help anyone with auditory sensory issues walk away from these episodes of discomfort and interruption of their ability to learn, comprehend, and recall information successfully.

Make Reading Easier

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 01:45:00 GMT

Reading can be complex. When reading is a struggle, the first thing to check is how well reading

prerequisites are mastered. Yes, there are certain things that must be in place for the brain to recognize letters and words.

First, the brain has to receive the correct information. If the messages are not clear, there will be confusion. In the podcast "Make Reading Easier" episode, you will learn to check the function of the eyes for tracking and convergence. You will hear what the symptoms of poor central detail vision are, such as poor eye contact, skipping small words when reading, etc. Resources will be given to check the child’s visual processing (short term memory) as well as to improve visual discrimination (the ability to tell the difference between very similar words)

In addition, we will also discuss how to properly store information so that it can quickly be recalled later. A prerequisite to reading using the phonics approach is to have a good auditory processing ability (auditory short term memory). If processing is not well developed, reading with phonics past three letter words can be next to impossible. Don’t go buy another phonics program! It isn't the phonics program that is the issue, it is the processing that causes the difficulty. You will learn what to do when phonics is not working and how to prepare the brain to be able to use phonics in the future.

Visual Processing - What is it and isn't

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:30:00 GMT

Visual challenges can be varied and sometimes hard to detect, but often mom or dad know something isn’t quite right. The challenge is to figure out what is causing the problem. The doctor might say, “The child’s vision is fine.” The question from a neurodevelopmentalist standpoint is, would the doctor be talking about 20/20 acuity (able to see up close and far away) or vision (the way the visual information is interrupted by the brain in giving the visual message)?

See if you recognize any of these symptoms of visual inefficiencies:

Are you constantly saying, “Look at me when I am talking to you” but the child doesn’t seem to be able to maintain eye contact?
Are there challenges with coloring within the lines or writing on the line or with writing letters that are the same size?
Is the child too close to the reading material or math page when doing academics?
Does the child skip lines or small words when reading?
Does the child like to watch things that twirl or move like fan blades or toy car wheels?
How about constantly wanting to dangle something like a string, sock, or anything else he can find to whirl and watch?

Discover more about The NeuroDevelopmental Profile as it relates to vision and visual distortions in this Brain Coach Tip episode. There are seven main developmental levels that all children should go through. Some of these areas of development are compromised by our cultural practices of putting our infants in gadgets such as walkers, swings and jump-ups. When we don’t go through the correct stages where vision is developed, challenges can occur. The good news is that we don’t have to focus on the symptoms that can be on the checklists for labels such as Autism, ADD/ADHD or Sensory Integration Disorder. We can find the root cause of the symptoms and change the child’s function, thus eliminating the symptoms all together.

You Knew It Yesterday - What Happened on the TEST?

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 01:30:00 GMT

Have you ever had that frustrating experience where you were certain your child grasped an academic concept, and then the very next day, she couldn’t recall ever seeing it? Well, it is not just a frustration for you. The child is often upset as well. In this episode, Dr. Jan tells her story of inconsistent recall and the frustration it caused her after studying hard only to be unable to recall the information when under the pressure of a testing situation. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach to life can change all that if you are willing to think differently about education. The brain controls everything that you do. Thus, when you’re applying a solution for a learning challenges, the brain is where you must start. The brain needs to be organized like a container built for storing information instead of a sieve-like structure where everything leaks out. Many children miss the developmental steps for good organization of the brain. The good news is that a child who is struggling to learn or who has a learning label like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger’s or Autism can go back and develop this part of the brain.

Not only must the brain have a good, organized foundation, but it also needs a well-developed auditory and visual short term memory. For more information on how strategic auditory processing is to overall function, refer back to podcast #14 . These functional abilities include: staying on task, socially appropriate interactions, following directions, comprehending and more. A link to free test kits for auditory and visual processing are in the handout below.

After the initial part of the brain’s foundation is established, the next area to consider is dominance. As neurodevelopmentalists we consider having the same side dominance for hand (you must start here because the hand is genetically predisposed to be left or right), eye, ear and foot to be most efficient when it comes to retrieving what you have learned. If a person does not have same side dominance (for example, they are right handed but left eyed or eared or both), one of the most common symptoms is inconsistent recall. One day they know the information and the next day they don’t. Other symptoms that sometimes accompany mixed dominance include: lack of analytical thought or logic, extreme emotionality, erratic behaviors, anxiety (test or otherwise), phobias, depression and shyness. People with mixed dominance often have low self-esteem as many things seem difficult and they relate it to intelligence or lack thereof instead of an inefficiency in the brain that can be changed.

Struggling Learners Have School Success?

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 01:30:00 GMT

When our child has struggles with learning and we as parents don't know how to intervene in helpful ways, it's very difficult. It's a burden for the parent as well as the child!

Dr. Jan Bedell has created a resource that will give you knowledge, techniques, resources, and skills to move pass those moments of frustration, fear, and disappointment, not to mention the delightful prospect of moving past experiencing failure, fear, and often times self-loathing our children know and dread.

Make Math Easier

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 01:30:01 GMT

Math can be difficult for more individuals than we care to admit. With so many experiencing less than stellar performance in computation, Dr. Jan asks the listener to this podcast to consider a new way of bringing your child into the world of math success. You will learn how, with all the auditory and visual processing abilities fully functional, and seeing testing scores changing which show your son or daughter is at or above grade level, and seeing them for the first time enjoying their math encounters.

In this episode, Dr. Jan will demonstrate the value of The NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life, which has taken many an individual from "hating math" to "loving their success". Organizing the brain is a key element of the intervention you'll learn about, but also utilizing a teaching method of "Intensity, Frequency, and Short Duration" and how it is the key to unlocking ones math ability.

Click on the picture to join Dr. Jan's podcast and experience a new direction toward improved math abilities. Don't miss the special discounts, but also the programs based on the ND Approach

Neuroplasticity – Rewiring The Brain

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 01:13:12 GMT

God has given us an amazing feature in the brain called Neuroplasticity. It allows the brain to change in its neuro-connections when specific NeuroDevelopmental (ND) Approach to Life stimulating techniques are applied following screenings, or evaluations and professional training of parents by Certified Neurodevelopmentalists or NeuroEducational Specialists. Parents, teachers, or tutors administer the programs for the time needed for the child, teen or adult's brain to physically grow and change until full function ability is operational.

Little Giant Steps is a consulting group that works with children, teens and adults who struggle with learning, have been labeled with a learning disability (ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Auditory or Visual Processing Disorders, PDD, and many other learning issues whether diagnosed or not. Typically parents notice the unique difficulties their children are going through, and when they understand there is a natural corrective modality based on the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life; they seek our many services, and time-tested programs that treat the specific issues (root causes in the brain) that render the individuals performance below their age or grade levels.

Homeschooling 101 Special Needs

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:45:00 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell's podcast this week is sharing her expertise as a Neurodevelopmentalist on how you can be a significant change-agent in your special needs child's life. Even more deeply is her life with Jenee, her first-born child who arrived with many disabilities. It was because of Jan's professional knowledge and her educational focus on early childhood development in becoming a teacher, her current gift from God was realized. While Jan and her family encountered all the stresses and strains of having, coping with, and prayerfully hoping for Jenee to gain skills and knowledge that could sustain her to and through her adulthood, Dr. Jan's journey has now brought all that and more to thousands of children, teens, and adults.

It was Jan's faith and her professional judgement that lead her to making a very risky decision when she pulled her two daughters out of public school and began homeschooling. I say risky, because at that time homeschooling was still not an acceptable route to take and in some states was illegal.

Another act of God was Jan being introduced to the NeuroDevelopmental (ND) Approach. Jenee was now sixteen and unable to read. In learning about the ND Approach, Jan found much that made sense. She learned through brain training, new connections, or repair of damaged ones could result in functionality being developed that had not existed before. There were root causes in the brain that could be fixed or a least improved. The rest of the story, you'll need to listen to the podcast. Dr. Jan will teach you knowledge, skills, and techniques to improve your special needs child's functional abilities in cognitive, physical, and social ways. CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.

The Gifted Learner Pt. 2 - Engaging Einstein

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 15:15:01 GMT

Part 2 of this podcast about Gifted Learners will bring into focus many new techniques, tips, and skills that help meet the exceedingly ravenous appetites for information, facts, and learning concepts for the Gifted Learner.

The Neurodevelopmental Approach for Life works with God's developmental design. Science has proven that learning is tied into the grand design of human development. It's a step by step processes that can be recovered, repaired, and enhanced through the various channels with the ND Approach at any age and with any I.Q. even though we're dealing with the gifted learner today.

The Gifted Learner Pt.1- Engaging Einstein

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 19:15:00 GMT

Teaching Your Unique Child

Having a child that is exceedingly bright can be a challenge for the parent who seeks to provide the most enriching educational environment possible. However, helping your child develop to their fullest potential has very similar requirements for all children.

The Neurodevelopmental Approach for Life teaches the skills of establishing good organization in the lower levels of the brain. When the neuro-connections are efficient between the brain and body, the cognitive, physical, and essence of the individual fostered by the abundance of intelligence can become all it was intended to be, providing the nurturing, discipline, and abundance of love and joy surround the learning experience.

In this podcast Dr. Jan Bedell explores the needs and requirements of the gifted side of the spectrum of learning. As with all children, each one is unique and special in their own God-given way. Dr. Jan covers what it takes to meet the very dynamic needs of a child who's academic appetite is great and how a homeschool parent can meet the demands and challenges of teaching a child with the correct setup to be able to cut teaching time down but raise the academic result.

TEACHING READING - CHALLENGES DEFINED

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 01:26:15 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell's podcast brings to the foreground how best to identify what is the best approach in teaching your child how to read.

You see, there are several ways to teach reading. For instance, phonics is an excellent way to instill this skill, providing the student's auditory processing abilities are at or above their grade level. Auditory Processing? Yes. It's a functional ability measurable by testing. It measures current ability to hold a certain number of pieces of information in short term memory, then after a brief interval to recall it in sequence it was given correctly and utilize it. To try to incorporate phonics without the ability to hold information, recall and utilize it just doesn't work. To check out your child's current level of function in their auditory processing, follow this link and download a FREE AUDITORY PROCESSING TEST KIT. Also available is the a FREE VISUAL PROCESSING TEST KIT . The instructions are detailed and the rational for the activity is well explained and enlightening.

In this podcast Dr. Jan will instruct you on the various ways reading can be taught, such as sight or learning styles - often competing disciplines, yet there are ways to discover how best your student functions and which way of teaching is most advantageous for him or her. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Part 1 - Make a Positive Learning Environment

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 08:00:36 GMT

Have you had some days where it felt like there wasn't one positive thing happening in your home, with your children, or spouse? If not, consider yourself lucky, because I know from my own experience and that of my friends, there are days like that! Here at Little Giant Steps our clients have had many such trials and tribulations. What our training, experience, and science shows is that much of such attitudes are due to symptoms from ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other diagnosed or not learning disabilities. What we do is to help you figure out what's going on and possible causes. Often parents just don't know where to look or what to do to turn things from negative to positive. That's what Little Giant Steps is all about. Assessing the functional abilities, looking at symptoms, causes, and providing you with the training and knowledge to fix these sometimes unbearable episodes of negativity in your family.

Dr. Jan Bedell in this podcast will cover all the factors that are involved i.e. metabolic (inner body chemistry) and the neurodevelopmental aspects. She'll help you to learn how to change your interactions to establish a positive track to run on.

Make A Positive Learning Environment

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:45:00 GMT

What kind of training were you afforded in disciplining your children? All I ever had was what my parents exampled. I would venture that is more the case than not. Little Giant Steps , a NeuroDevelopmental/ Educational Consulting Group has many years of experience in helping parents who have children with learning issues; low auditory processing, difficulty following directions, remembering, functioning in an organized manner, as well as learning disabilities.

In this part of the series, Dr. Jan Bedell will explore positive behavior systems that are effective in turning a tumultuous situation into a calm and constructive scenario. Yes.... with little steps that can turn darkness into light! You will learn how to manage a child's behavior that has a character-building aspect in that they are a part of the team in solving these negative times and behavior. Everyone, even children, like stress-free lives. Don't miss this very important series if you're raising children!

Autistic Solutions

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Autism comes in all colors, styles, symptoms, and functional abilities. Typically parents are bewildered as to what they are to do, how can they learn more, and what does the future hold for their child.

Dr. Jan Bedell, Little Giant Steps , has been working with children and teens with Autism for twenty some years. Some with a wide variety of symptoms or behaviors have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. All has to do with a series of symptoms that prevent normal human interaction, education/learning and socialization. The one stable item when discussing the improvement of functional abilities is the success of the NeuroDevelopmental (ND) Approach for Life!

I've seen an 8 year-old child being on the ND Program for four months who initially presented with no ability to speak and was not interacting with those around her - even making eye contact. It was amazing at her four month re-evaluation she was able to talk, count toys as she picked them up, and interact with people. So, the program was able to bring into being processing abilities not available before, incorporated sensory integration, eye coordination and brain organization. Most importantly was when I called her name, she acknowledged me, and answered a question I posed.

Dr. Jan Bedell has a great podcast this week you won't want to miss. You will get more information about dealing with autism and tips on what you or someone you know could do to improve living. Take a few minutes to learn how to make positive changes in someone's life.

An Adoption, Is Love All It Takes?

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Those who choose to adopt are special people with large hearts, lots of love, and willing to accept a child unconditionally. It has been our pleasure at Little Giant Steps to work with families who have gone through an adoption and there are "differences" they can't explain that are impacting their family and the child's well being.

Some adopted children show issues from abandonment, rejection or symptoms of trauma. Such events can cause brain chemicals to be released which can hinder development of neuro-connections in the brain. These symptoms may show up in exaggerated fears, obsessive behaviors, memory and learning difficulties.

SOLUTION?

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life! It can and does repair or create neuro-connections, and the "wiring of the brain in early childhood can be corrected. The resulting behavior issues are resolved for the better. Advantages of stimulating the brain through ND activities is called neuro-efficiency. When the brain is functioning efficiency you have improved learning abilities, memory, social as well as behavior. By following a NeuroDevelopmental Program typically determined through an Individual Evaluation , a Screening , or insights that can come from a Survey the road to predicable, productive and joyful living is achieved.

Spelling Essentials For School & Life

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:15:00 GMT

YOU CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE

How many of you remember the days when you were a student, and the struggles either you or you friends had in trying to spell using phonics? All of sudden the English language and sounds of words became complex and there were rules that most of us found took some time to really understand, grasp, and gain mastery. It seemed like it was a road with a lot of pot holes one could fall into, and easily make a mistake.

Not always did sounding out a word with phonics prove to be successful.

So what made the difference? Visual processing! If you could visualize the correct spelling, chances are you would be a very successful speller Tune in to Dr. Jan Bedell's podcast and learn about the NeuroDevelopmental Approach For Life's perspective when dealing with this topic.

Hold Your Pencil Right

Fri, 27 May 2022 18:30:00 GMT

Writing is such a foundational part of our development. In fact, if all NeuroDevelopmental Steps have been experienced, then we see less problems with eye-hand coordination, sensory and muscular development so our little guys can and will hold writing utensils correctly.

Dr. Jan Bedell, founder of Little Giant Steps , covers this topic to help give insight as to the development required, but also there are especially good educational references in the handout. Whether you are seeking the reason for poor handwriting, inability to grasp, hold properly, and utilize the visual and hand coordination, you'll know how to proceed and make a very positive difference in your student's abilities to write properly in a school environment.

Syndrome or Brain Injury Help from NeuroDevelopment Approach For Life

Wed, 25 May 2022 18:30:00 GMT

REMEDIES OFFERED IN NEURODEVELOPMENT

Dr. Jan Bedell, has been working with syndromes (Charge, Down, Williams, Fetal Alcohol, Angelman) for over 25 years. These symptoms can be considered abnormal, or indicate a disorder, or disease, but all can see improved abilities by using the NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life.

Functional abilities are affected, for the most part, whether it be syndromes or brain trauma. Injury to the brain can be from a variety of causes such as accidents, cases of genetic issues or injury at birth. Both can cause under-performance in many areas of life: academic, social, and behavior.

What is most helpful to parents with the Neuro-Developmental Approach for Life, is that the methodology works with the root causes of the problems. Little Giant Steps utilizes natural developmental activities like those that are responsible for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers developmental steps being accomplished and thereby naturally getting connections between the brain and body formed and functional.

Dr. Bedell, the Brain Coach, shares her personal experience with a family member who had many issues, and how her discovery of the NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life, she saw abilities and function reach higher than ever dreamed possible. The family member certainly out-performed all the diagnosis or expectations of the experts! Dr. Jan has home schooled a special needs child and can show you the way with great effectiveness and results that will surprise everyone.

HEALING FROM TRAUMA

Mon, 23 May 2022 18:15:01 GMT

Trauma or abuse can come in many forms to children, teens and adults. Some come as: an assault which may be physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other types of aggression.

Dr. Jan Bedell brings to us a real life example of a professional colleague who suffered from childhood abuse and how the healing power of NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life has turned her life and others into positive healing events. Ruth Young gives us insight of such treatment and the way to overcome the trauma, so life can be lived with love, hope and joy.

Ruth has written a great E-book and study guide: "Release From Fear "

Trauma comes in all forms. Here are some examples: Pre-mature birth, abuse, neglect, fever, surgery, vaccinations, and adoption, to mention a few.

How Ear Infections Cause Learning Delays

Fri, 20 May 2022 18:15:03 GMT

When my sons were little they would occasionally have an ear infection. However, it wasn't until I had a struggling learner, that I discovered the potential problems of having fluid in the ear could cause all kinds of havoc to his functional abilities. As he was going through the normal developmental steps, and even more profoundly; the neuro-developmental process (creating neuro-pathways between the brain and the body) fluid in the inner ear was gravely affecting his learning abilities due to distortion.

Dr. Jan will explain how this fluid and infection in the inner ear affect development of balance, motor skills, articulation, muscle tone and even eye convergence. Learn ways to release the ear canal fluid naturally and what to do as a preventative measure to avoid ear infections.

In this podcast, Brain Coach, Dr. Jan Bedell, covers the cascading negative consequences of ear infections. Those with Down Syndrome, or any children with small ear canals, are highly susceptible to developmental delays because of this reoccurring ear infections. Learning struggles, ADD, CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder), tonal processing and other auditory processing issues can result because of distortions that exist with fluid in the ears. You can relate to this distortion if you think about how it sounds when you are swimming and you go underwater. You will learn how this fluid and infection in the inner ear affects the development of balance, motor skills, articulation, muscle tone and even eye convergence. She addresses ways to release the ear canal fluid naturally and what to do as a preventative measure to avoid ear infections.

An added discussion about the significance of auditory processing skills as it relates to a person’s ability to hold pieces of information together for comprehension, to retain, store and recall information, follow directions, do phonics and more is included.

Siblings and Special Needs

Wed, 18 May 2022 15:30:03 GMT

Dr. Jan and Alysa share their journey with you. Dr. Jan's gives her special insight from a professional perspective and as she noted, "I only wished someone could have given me this information when my girls were small."

Life, regardless of the circumstances we're given, is precious, and our attitudes and choices can make it a valuable life-equipping journey if we choose to learn, grow, and prayerfully move in a direction of love, consideration of each of our children's needs, and to teach them the "facts". Yes, our household is different, but like all households it is our love, care, concern for the welfare of everyone in the family that makes us happy, whole, and significant in our example to the world. We have an opportunity to teach the world how "special" each member of the family truly is to each other and to those who travel with us on our life-journey.

Prayers Answered

Mon, 16 May 2022 14:00:04 GMT

Have you had times when you felt like prayers were not being heard? Have you also experienced times when you knew, without any doubts, that God had provided divine intervention.There was absolutely no doubts what so ever?

God is a mover of mountains, and a mom that shares this podcast has an adopted daughter with learning issues resulting in her great lack of self-confidence and feeling of great worthlessness. Many children who have been labeled with Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, etc suffer from low-self-esteem, as do many kids who are adopted.

Listen to this mother as she shares her journey of difficulty, doubt, and yet was persistent in finding a lasting solution, as well as cries out to God in prayer, to help her overcome her daughter's poor school and learning performance, emotional control and bad behavior.

In this Brain Coach Tip, you will hear first hand accounts of a mom crying out to God for answers. She had tried all the curriculum and techniques that she could find and still, her daughter struggled academically, emotionally and behaviorally. In this episode, you will hear about a mom’s journey through educational and behavioral professionals, medications, desperate cries to God for help, and his answered prayer in her life. Was the road to better function for her daughter an easy one? No. Did she have to walk by faith when she didn’t really see all the changes she wanted to see right away? Yes. Did she reap big rewards when even the siblings that came home for the holidays noticed a difference and experienced an all new relationship with their sister? YES! YES!

911- Homeschooling Special Needs

Fri, 13 May 2022 15:30:03 GMT

Have you noticed that your child seems happier, better behaved, and more relaxed when school is out for the summer? Do you notice a change in demeanor as school starts? Many, who struggle with reading, writing, storing information and recalling what they've read or heard, become stressed. "Enduring" another year of challenging episodes in their quest to learn causes anxiety. Most parents notice this struggle at an unconscious level. Then when the child becomes very frustrated, negative, and many times see themselves as hopeless, the problem is recognized on a very conscious level. Panic registers for many parents as they recognize that something is definitely wrong for this bight child with lots of skills, but fails in the area of being successful in their learning abilities.

Reversing this course of educational downward spiral for children and the parents is what Little Giant Steps is all about. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life, creates, restores, and improves functional abilities that were not fully developed, or were interrupted due to illness, ear infections, or perhaps some trauma, or just lack of making it through that steps of development when they were an infant or toddler. Because of the plasticity feature in the brain, we are allowed to resolve (using specific physical, visual, and auditory stimulation activities) the issues or as we call them "the root causes" and build new neuro-pathways from stimulating activities so that area of the brain goes from a difficult road of passage to a super highway that transmits impulses between the brain and body at exceedingly high and efficient rates of speed and accuracy. AND...short and long-term memory. That's why we can inform you that "Learning Disabilities Do Not Have To Last a Lifetime". We were fearfully and wonderfully made. The "repair" of the areas can become whole and enhanced in performance and can happen at any age.... if you do the recommended activities that are discovered to be needed. Dr. Jan Bedell and her team has helped to turn around the learning lives of thousands of families in the past 20 years, and now with the internet, the Developmental Approach for Life is available online so the whole world can take advantage of these remarkable services that include curriculum utilizing activities embedded in the subject matter.

Strategic Start to School

Wed, 11 May 2022 14:00:05 GMT

Every year we all experience the closing of our summer time-out, and the anticipation of a new school year. Sometimes we also get a touch of resistance, or anxiousness about what lies ahead in the upcoming school year.

Little Giant Steps’ Brain Coach, Dr. Jan Bedell, gives new insight as to what is the most important part of homeschooling your children. Your purpose, how staying on track will serve you and your vision for a successful and enjoyable homeschool year.

She'll help you to move into this new year with ease so as not to shock or cause unnecessary stress for you or the student. Just remember starting slow and gaining momentum is best. Pushing hard trying to get all established in the first week ends in more failures of adjustment than successes.

Also included this week will be specific tips for children that might be struggling with reading, math or math facts. Of course, alongside these, suggestions about how to use the key components of The NeuroDevelopmental Approach to help all those little brains function better will be included. Whether you have children who are gifted, typically developing, or challenged with learning labels and struggles, there is something here for you. As a bonus, if you are a mom that tends to be a perfectionist or compare your home school program or results to other homeschoolers there are life-changing recommendations for you.

Special Needs - Navigating Homeschool

Mon, 09 May 2022 13:30:08 GMT

Many times those who homeschool special needs children can feel very isolated. Dr. Jan Bedell brings a very special mom and an associate of Little Giant Steps to share her journey of traversing the landscape in bringing up two sons who had very different learning issues and very different special needs.

Michelle tells how she knew her oldest son was struggling. There many symptoms of what is called ADHD. He couldn't pay attention, follow a conversation, and was highly distracted. Their doctors had put him on medication with the hopes of him functioning better in school. However her youngest son had much more involved issues known as pervasive developmental delays. Even the doctors said he would never be able to function normally and might be best served in an institution. She will share how God was faithful to send her help and support along the way.

Her efforts in working with Dr. Jan and the NeuroDevelopmental Programs paid off, as both boys are adults, who have successful lives with their family, jobs, and social world. Learn how such a transformation in functional abilities were accomplished. .

Brain Coach Tips, Change Lives & Learning

Wed, 04 May 2022 11:39:25 GMT

Brain Coach Tips, Change Lives & Learning

Dr. Jan Bedell, PhD, M.ND.

Her Brain Coach Tips: Changes Lives

Let us introduce to you Dr. Jan Bedell. She will share her personal journey that brought her (a professional teacher) from a mom desperately seeking help for her daughter with many learning challenges.

The old saying of turning lemons into lemonade is essentially what Jan did with this personal educational dilemma. She ministered to her daughter first, and after witnessing astounding results in her own household, she dedicated herself and became educated in The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life. Her professional quest was to help other families facing similar events and discovering how they could make profound improvements in their child's functional abilities. She has been ministering to thousands of families over the past twenty plus years, Truly, she has earned her title as she became known as the Brain Coach.

Whether you have a typically developing, gifted or struggling learner, you will start to be empowered with brain enhancing information that will make your families’ life brighter. You

will enjoy this episode as well as many more on the “Brain Coach Tips Podcast.”

Let's Fix The Learning Problem

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:30:04 GMT

Any time we recognize our child is struggling in school, we want to fix the problem as soon as possible. Dr. Jan Bedell knows what it's like to see her child struggle, and all the special classes, and schools were not helping. She's forever grateful for the opportunity to go to a seminar about the NeuroDevelopmental Approach. As a teacher, she fully realized that for her daughter to find wholeness is was not all about education. More than anything she wanted to "fix it".

She followed the process of having her child evaluated and learn the NeuroDeveopmental Programs that contained specific activities that would stimulate the brain to help with the basics, like lower level of brain organization, improving auditory and visual processing abilities, and much to her surprise it was evident that her daughters functional abilities were being impacted by doing these daily activities and helping her from the inside out.

Learning issues are typically given labels that fit with a certain set of symptoms. Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life causes those symptoms to go away - the glitches get fixed. The stimulation creates new neuro-pathways which allows the brain and it current functional abilities to change and improve the child's, teen's, or adult's abilities. People discover they are to be able to read, compute math, speak high levels of vocabulary, receive, store and recall information that is a part of their daily lives. Typically we see dyslexic symptoms disappear, ADD and ADHD suffers staying on task, and paying attention as the neuro-connections provide efficient communication between the brain and body. Being successful in school, work, and social experiences become a matter of course. Their sensory, visual, auditory, and tactile systems get "fixed"!

The Brain Coach covers the information of all the maladies that we as parents of children with labels have concerns about . She is here to show you how to get it fixed. Learning disabilities do not have to last a lifetime. It's high time for you to take the time to learn how you can "Fix It".

God's Special Gift ~ Neuroplasticity

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:30:03 GMT

50 or 60 years ago what medical science knew was what they could see with the naked eye. In the case of the brain, there wasn't such thing as visibility. What they knew about brain function was small compared to the richness of the technology (MRI-Brain Scans-Neuroscopy, etc) where they can see inside the skull, and even watch the electrical currents move, or watch surgical procedures unfold as it progresses inside the brain. The belief in earlier times was that the brain was thought to be static - unchanging by the time you were an adult. Today with all the advances in our radiological technologies, we know everyone's brain changes continually throughout their lives and the experiences they have.

Most of us know of people who have suffered brain trauma or stroke. We typically take it as a given that the physical therapist will work with them and get their functional ability to be reestablished. That is proof that the brain has to change, when natural functional abilities return following the complete loss.

We know the therapy is activity, but most of us give little thought as to the specific activities that are targeted at the specific affected area of the brain, and results in return of function. The targeted areas respond to the stimulation of the activity and change from damaged to healthy neuro-pathways being established, and communication between the brain and body becomes swift and accurate. Who of us wouldn't prefer to be able to learn, read, comprehend, calculate faster and with more accuracy? As the brain gets stronger from the therapy's stimulation, a much improved network of nerves and neuro-connections develop which makes us function on a higher, faster, and more accurate plain than before the stimulating activities were undertaken and completed. Listen to Dr. Jan as she brings to you the exciting abilities you have available to you and your brain. It truly is a gift from God.

Brain Coach Tips, Change Lives & Learning

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 14:30:03 GMT

Whether you have a typically developing, gifted or struggling learner, you will start to be empowered with brain enhancing information that will make your families’ life brighter. You

will enjoy this episode as well as many more on the “Brain Coach Tips Podcast

Great Preschool Essentials

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:15:03 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell, PhD, M.ND. presents the needed insight as to how to help your preschooler establish a strong neuro-foundation that will serve their learning abilities for the rest of their lives.

Much debate from professionals has gone on as to how can we assist our preschoolers to have peak performing brains so they can function successfully in their school years.

As Dr. Jan states, "Our perspective from the neurodevelopmental arena has little to do with books suggesting skills for preschoolers is what is most important. Instead the focus is on everything that has to do with the development of the central nervous system and especially the brain. Everything we do is coordinated and emanates from the brain. If we help by providing our children with a good developmental foundation, they can then grow, organize, receive, retain and recall information successfully, which is what learning and academics is all about. Preschoolers books need to be the ones their parents read to them! The advantages of that Dr. Jan covers in another session on the vital reality of developing auditory processing abilities.

When the brain's connections are strong, as well as the muscles, and mature, the skills of holding a pencil, or cutting with scissors, identifying letter or numbers or writing ones name will come easily, because of the strong neuro-foundation that has been encouraged to develop. God was a master architect in designing how the developmental steps are set up to help us grow and have our brain to change to accommodate the body's, and mind's tasks that come with life.

A solid foundation is required. If this is not the case, we see learning challenges, sensory issues, and lack of functional abilities. 25% of our children in the United States of America are showing up with problems that are directly a result of a breakdown in the neurodevelopmental steps being missed or unavailable. Dr. Jan will cover six areas of development that are foundational and functional - visual, auditory, manual, mobility, tactility and language. She will cover fully each area and give specific activities for you to do with your child, so you can insure your child's greatest potential in learning, coordination, social and behavior will be of their highest God-given potential.

Kindergarten Skills For Academics

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 14:15:03 GMT

The building blocks for development, and especially for the neuro-development of our preschool children must be acquired in order to function successfully in Kindergarten and experience success in their early academic quest! Dr. Jan Bedell's podcast this week offers a great deal of insight and knowledge to its listeners.

Mobility, manual, tactility, language, visual and auditory skills are the six areas of foundational function and development needed for our children starting school.

When these areas are not developed we at Little Giant Steps, are ready and able to help parents and their children move beyond the gaps and problems in their learning abilities. Every year we work with issues and labels such as ADHD, CAPD, ADD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and many more that can disrupt and cause problems, not only for the child, but for the entire family.

One thing that has been proven, is that no curriculum can fix these learning challenges and inefficiencies. Brain training programs provided through our services has demonstrated for the past twenty five years, the successful transformation of learning issues and elimination of the symptoms, dysfunctional behavior and brain inefficiencies. The lack of early neuro-development can occur from a variety of reasons, i.e. ear infections, deprivation, injury, illness, etc. The good news is that those children, teens or adults who are not functioning up to their grade or age levels can experience a turn around. Learning disabilities do not have to last a lifetime. Dr. Jan teaches about the specific activities that can help result in improved functional performance. She also informs parents about the importance of understanding the chemistry of the body and the influence it may have on learning abilities.

Math Cornerstones

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:00:03 GMT

Math Can Be A Problem Without A Foundation

How many children do you know struggle with math? You may be surprised to know there are gifted children who have difficulty, as well. The foundation upon a child's early development is formed or the lack thereof can cause difficulty at any age if the brain organization and processing abilities are not developed enough to serve for a basis to even learn ones math facts successfully.

Dr. Jan Bedell guides parents through this maze of necessity and illuminates how a parent can go about lighting the way toward successful mastery of math, math concepts, receiving, storing, and recalling all that goes along with this vital skill we utilize in all areas of our lives.

She will cover many foundational practices such as:

Rote counting – Counting CD
Understanding quantity – first count accurately, then be able to look at fingers, pictures on a page, and dice and be able to recognize the quantity
Counting from any random number to a specific number
Skip Counting
Concept of math operations:
What is addition, subtraction, multiplication or division?
Progression through the different aspects of each operation, i.e. multi-digit addition all the way through 2 and 3 digit division. This progression is made available through Visual Circle Math, a way to advance quickly through understanding of concepts if a child is advanced in math. Great also for remediation if a child is struggling with math as they can go at their own pace. Also available in: Visual Circle Math
Word problems – holding pieces together long enough to figure out what is important information requires good auditory processing.

A real cornerstone for math facts is the Rapid Recall System .

Reading Struggles

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:45:03 GMT

How Many Parents Are Dealing With Children With Reading Difficulties?

More than we wished. Often parents suspect dyslexia,when their child struggles with reading. However at Little Giant Steps , Dr.Jan requests parents and teachers adapt to thinking differently . You see, learning disability labels come from a set of symptoms. When so many symptoms are collected, then a label is applied. The problem with that approach is that it doesn't fix anything. What is paramount is to treat the problem by working with a solution for any given symptom.

For over 40 years the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life has practiced looking at what the cause of the symptoms are, and applying activities that correct or develop solutions. The systems involved are the visual, tactile, and spatial (knowing where your hand is) so you can move it accurately across the page. Also, it is very important to visualize in order to spell correctly. Dr. Jan goes into that more thoroughly in her podcast.

Dr. Jan says, "If your child has symptoms such as difficulty blending sounds into words, reversing letters, and/or reading slowly or hesitantly, don’t despair, because she shares possible causes and solutions for these struggles, as well.

There is always hope when you address the problems,. The symptoms diminish or disappear entirely. Once these issues are no longer troublesome, students quickly catch up to their peers or grade level.

You can learn how to be proactive with your preschool child to avoid reading struggles in their future.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 12:35:01 GMT

Is your child impulsive, distracted, or disorganized ?

Has someone suggested they have an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and they possibly medication will be needed for them to reach their full academic potential?

Michelle, Little Giant Steps’ Director of Parent Support, is interviewed by Dr, Jan Bedell about her encounter with the ND Approach with her two sons. Michelle shares the struggles her boys were having and their triumphs she has encountered in her family’s story! Because of her experience with all the trials and triumphs, Michelle has continued with Little Giant Steps so that she can assist others in achieving their God-given potential.

Little Giant Steps wants you to know there is hope. You don’t have to accept the labels. There is help through NeuroDevelopmental Programs that will alleviate your child's struggle or the possibility of being held back because of their ADD symptoms. The ND approach can make these symptoms a thing of the past just as it did for Michelle and her son.

I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:03 GMT

So your child has grown up and now they have a desire to go to college. Then you ask yourself, "I wonder if he or she can be successful in college...could they even pass an entrance exam? " You have walked with them through elementary and high school and it was no picnic. You are well aware they have struggled with learning their whole life. Testing experiences has never been a good or painless experience.

Little Giant Steps wants to share with you the kind of positive shift in these students we can and have helped during the past 20 years. We help reduce and/or eliminate learning challenges or symptoms, and put them in the rear view mirror for your child.

Here's an example of understand what I'm talking about: A mom called because her seventeen year-old son wanted to go to college. He'd taken the ACT test and the results were so low, there was no way he would gain admission to any college......

Fortunately, we are in the business of teaching parents and children brain stimulating activities. Our ND Programs result in higher academic performance, as well as increased comprehension, memory - short & long-term, better behavior, and social abilities. To be successful learners we must have healthy, strong neuro-connections, with organized brains and processing abilities.

ADD/ADHD and CAPD: The Root Causes

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 12:45:03 GMT

Have you ever wondered why so many American children have symptoms associated with labels like, ADD, ADHD or Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)? Parents are puzzled why these symptoms are evident and so pervasive in their children.

* unable to follow directions

* minimal ability to stay on task

* very highly distracted most of the time

* minimal understanding of consequences and the big picture when in a situation

* notable immaturity in social circumstances

* poor reading comprehension

* inability to use a phonics approach when learning

when learning to read

* and more symptoms than these

The Mystery Can be Solved from Within

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach says, “let’s solve that mystery by finding the root cause of the symptoms.” These struggles are the cause of many challenges in school and often produce labels resulting in medication. In other words, “We say NO to labels and YES to hope!” If you change the brain at the root cause, the symptoms can be eliminated. After all symptomatic labels, are the labels of ADD, ADHD and CAPD, and many other learning disabilities . If there are enough check marks on the list of symptoms, then the person is given a corresponding label. The bottom line for us in the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life field is that each symptom is caused by something in the brain and its connections. The good news is that the brain has plasticity, which means it can change and grow even when there are current struggles.

An Explanation For Auditory Processing Deficits

Many years ago when our educational system was developed, we were an auditory society. We ate together as a family 2-3 times a day and TALKED. In contrast, we often eat on the run while the videos are flowing through the backseats of our cars. In the past, we read as a family in the evenings or listened to radio broadcasts for hours. We were an auditory society, and we developed our auditory sequential processing ability by the practice of intense, frequent listening. In more recent times, we have transitioned to a more visual society.

Auditory Sequential Processing Explained

Auditory Sequential Processing is the ability to hold pieces of information together in the order that it is communicated. An example would be being able to accurately retell a story that you have just heard in the correct order of events. A good auditory processing ability is vital to reading comprehension as well as the ability to hold all the phonograms together to read words with a phonics approach. It is also important to picking up social cues, following directions and staying on task. All these skills are needed to reach our full potential in school and in life. Good processing is necessary to avoid many of the symptoms previously mentioned in this post that cause us to suspect or label individuals. For a more in-depth look at auditory processing, listen to the Brain Coach Tip

Accelerating Math Skills (part 3)

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 11:45:03 GMT

Our final piece of the puzzle in helping children accelerate the basic math skills needed for life is math facts. Math Facts are the third key component to success in math.

Some public schools are not putting any emphasis on math facts but still expecting correct and speedy answers on classroom assignments and standardized tests. This is counter intuitive. It only makes sense that when children have a rapid recall of math facts they enjoy math assignments more as it takes less time to finish a lesson and there are minimal to no corrections needed. The struggle often is, how to get a child to retain math facts.

The educational system has come up with these “magic” cards with a problem and no answer that make the children want to hide when they see them because they don’t know the answer. The other “tool” often used is a speed drill with 70+ problems and the instructions given are, “Get faster at this!”

Not equipping a child with instant recall of math facts is like strapping their legs together and asking them to run faster. If math facts mastery is your goal, try The Rapid Recall System created by former home school mom and now Master NeuroDevelopmentalist, Dr. Jan Bedell.

Here your children will see, hear, say and write five specific math facts 14 times a day and only two of those times is information coming from the child. Instead of asking the children to guess at the answer which reinforces the wrong answer when they say it wrong, with Rapid Recall, the children have twelve times of input where the information is going in so it is stored for easy access. The good news is that it only takes 6-9 minutes a day and after 5 days, they are on to the next set of facts with daily reinforcement of the previously learned facts.

Not sure if your child needs to work on math facts? Take this Math Facts Proficiency Test and see how the score compares to different grade levels in this skill. No matter what the age, Rapid Recall System can help your budding mathematicians to retain math facts for life.

Accelerating Math Skills (part 2)

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 12:45:03 GMT

Since we know that Math is a necessity for functioning independently in life, the sooner our children get it, the better. In our view, mathematics is divided into three main areas: Understanding of all the concepts, word problems and math facts mastery. Today in part two of our series on ways to accelerate math concepts we are looking at word problems.

Word Problems

Word problems are another fundamental area of math and are simply the application of the understanding of math concepts. Along with the conceptual understanding, you have to be able to hold the information in your short-term memory in order to know what operation(s) to use to solve the problem. One factor that has been a huge deterrent to a child’s ability to complete a word problem is the auditory processing level.

Parents are often confused when their child with full understanding of a concept has such a struggle with answering a word problem. It makes more sense when you realize that your ability to hold pieces of information for a short time and manipulate that information in your mind takes that foundation ability called auditory processing. When this developmental skill is low, word problems are often a nightmare.

The solution seems contrary to traditional approaches. Many curriculums teach strategies for solving word problems that often fail when the problems become more complex. Instead of strategies we recommend working on the child’s auditory processing ability. This will not only help with successfully accomplishing word problems but will increase the child’s ability to stay on task, follow directions, comprehend what is said and read and many more functional abilities that will help the child through school and life.

Scroll down to the bottom of this auditory processing information to get your Free Test Kit . If you start increasing this skill, the struggle with word problems will greatly diminish.

Accelerating Math Skills (part 1)

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:36:24 GMT

Math is a necessity for functioning independently in life so the sooner our children become proficient at math, the better. In our view, mathematics is divided into three main areas: understanding of all the concepts, word problems and math facts mastery. Today we’re going to look at the first area - understanding the concepts.

Understanding the Concept of a particular operation.

The word “concept” means what exists in the mind as something comprehended or understood. We want our children to easily understand when they see certain math symbols like +, -, x, ÷. They should instantly know how these symbols work in real lifes.

Addition: putting things together to get a larger amount;
Subtraction: having a certain number of items and then taking some away
Multiplication: groups of the same number
Division: separating things into groups with the same number in each group.

You can use manipulatives to help the process of mastering the concept but far too quickly our educational practices tend to put the children on their own to do the assignments. Our skewed perception is if we “help” that somehow we are cheating, that the child just needs to do it on their own.

Let’s look at it from another angle.

What if you were teaching piano and right after introducing the names of the notes on the staff and teaching the timing of whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes you put a piece of Mozart in front of the child and say, “Now play this”. You would never think of doing that!

It is the same with anything you really want to teach to mastery. You demonstrate, observe and help the process along a continuum of steps. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach to math involves lots of “input” (giving the answer, demonstrating the concept often, guiding as the child has their turn with new and review material) and the results are stellar.

If you really want to accelerate math skills, do what we call at Brain Sprints, 50% instruction. This is actually teaching and instructing and goes really fast while giving input for future success in math operations.

Here is how it works. You do a problem and the child does a similar problem until that concept is mastered. For a beginning mathematician, the whole page would include addition problems where you alternate from mom to child even if you think it could be done independently.

If your child is older, say 3rd grade and beginning multiplication, your page might have a multi-digit addition problem that you do and a multi-digit subtraction problem that the child does and the rest of the time is spent on the new concept of multiplication. After the “review” of addition and subtraction, you do a multiplication problem and the child follows with a multiplication problem until you have done six to ten problems alternating between mom and child. It goes really fast and you avoid any need for correction as you are guiding so no mistakes are made.

Imagine your child’s confidence when math is fun, easy and quick instead of a drudgery followed by frustration and the need for the dreaded corrections.

Visual Circle Math is a great resource that gives specific directions on how to do this technique with sample pages. This is terrific for those children labeled with or suspected of dyscalculia or those that are exceptional in math and need to move on to more complex concepts without going through a full curriculum to reach those next levels.

BAD BEHAVIOR?

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 01:45:03 GMT

WHAT ABOUT BAD BEHAVIOR?

A very helpful podcast by the Brain Coach Have you ever wondered why your kid is always into so much trouble? The list of things they don't do is long:

*They can't seem to follow directions.

*They don't answer when you've asked a question or when spoken to.

*They won't look at you when talking to them.

*They can't sit still nor do they do their home work.

Have you ever considered that there may be another answer other than just plain defiance?

Dr. Jan Bedell has worked with clients using the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life for over 20 years. She has seen dynamic change in children after addressing the root cause of what, on the surface, seemed like poor behavior. Of course, we are all born with a sin nature, but that is not always the sole cause of problematic conduct. If a child skips a NeuroDevelopmental step, there may be an issue with how they see, hear, or process information, which can show up as "bad" behavior. But there is still hope! Because we are fearfully and wonderfully made, we can still develop the pathways needed to complete these steps. A turn this bad behavior into a solution with positive results.... including good, happy, and self-confident kids!

Dr. Jan will ask you to think differently about why your children are responding the way they are behaviorally. She will discuss some of the root causes of behavioral issues and introduce you to what you can do to fix them. Are you ready to have peace and harmony in your home? Tune in to the Brain Coach Tip of the Day.

ETIQUETTE CAN BE EASY

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 12:30:03 GMT

Do your children know how important having good manners and proper etiquette can be? Is there an awareness of the impact good manners and etiquette can have on how they are judged as a person? And how they can affect your social presence in a group? Today Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory visits with Dr. Jan Bedell about how important life-enhancing proper etiquette can be.

It seems as though parents aren't as prepared or were not taught by their own families to know there are certain social behavior that is approved of in subtle ways that can either set you apart in a positive way or in a very negative regard. “If you are not taught, you don’t know,” is what Monica has learned from speaking with parents who have used her products. It is never too early to start your children on the road to good manners. Preschoolers to high school students can benefit from these social graces that are life-enhancing. These lessons touch on everything from wedding and funeral etiquette to cellphone manners. Monica has been told by many parents that their children have grown in confidence when they understand these positive life-producing social skills.

Our society no longer teaches etiquette the way it has been taught in the past. “Children learn best when they can relate the social event in their environment with the etiquette skills utilized at certain times and events,” says Monica. Our children need to be taught because we are sending messages to others no matter what we do. Do we want to send a message that we are thinking of others or thinking of ourselves? Tune in, to today’s Brain Coach Tips to learn how to teach your children the benefits of being equipped to adapt to the best in a given social enviornment.

In A Busy World, Draw Close To God

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 01:15:03 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell welcomes a friend and pastor, Alan Bias, to introduce our audience to his area of expertise, He's been studying how to overcome the noise of this busy world, and still have the ability to hear God in ones everyday life. He's an answer to many of our prayers with this option he's given through his new book.

Pastor Alan describes the condition many of us succumb to and he calls it the "Bid Gray Swirl". He shows how the distractions and busyness of our everyday lives can lead us away from the relationship with God , as well as losing site of the preciousness and importance of our families. Our activities often depletes our ability to be available to experience the true fullness of life. Pastor Alan understands the needs of a child who is gifted or distracted due to the need to learn in special ways. He knows what it's like to have the label of Dyslexia, and all the many issues that arise during the years in school trying so hard, and often unable to hit the mark. Life with a learning label is a complicated life academically, socially, and even, in many cases, within the family.

Pastor Alan demonstrates how many of us slip into the "Big Gray Swirl" - a life of busyness and lacking the ability to quiet oneself or even ones child and listen to God. God is available everyday and his holy spirit is available to help guide our paths, and decisions... if only we had the awareness of his presence in our lives. Pastor Bias has created a book called, "Walking With God in a World Gone Busy." Life doesn't have to be a blur, but many of us don't even have the realization of what we're missing! This book helps us find our balance, our rhythm of grace and peace with our spiritual guide in every way - everyday! Discover the advantages of having a wholesome, balanced life through Pastor Bias' book. Click this link to add this heart-warming book that will help you avoid the "Big Gray Swirl!"

Pastor Alan Bias teaches:

Biblical examples of how cultural expectations and busyness hindered people from enjoying God’s presence.
How to build your faith by being fully present with God in the midst of your busy day.
Being available to realize the signs and symptoms of a busy, distracted life and the solutions to it.
Us how to understand simple steps we can take to enjoy more “God Moments”.
He helps us to live a productive life without being overwhelmed and busy.

Hidden Gem with Dr. Ron Johnson

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 02:15:03 GMT

Did you ever notice you have to:

Supervise your teenager almost minute by minute during the day? Or did you have your child failing to keep their focus when they have tasks to complete?

Today's guest is Dr. Ron Johnson, founder of Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum. Dr. Jan Bedell has invited him because of his deep and sustained career in public schools as a principle and superintendent. His unique observation and even more unique vision of the need for values, virtues, and deciding to do the right thing was sorely needed in today's society.

After an extended time (21 years) being an executive for a major homeschool curriculum provider,being in close proximity of facets of our society in which our fatherless children in our society, he drove his desire to set things right by of have curriculum that would offer a new path to supporting and experiencing what it is like to receive male role models with positive expression of how things can be.

Through Doc's Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (www.PACworks.com), his mission is to build a better foundation for those that are struggling and to recover at-risk children.

Today's offering has many hidden gems of his years of experience. Sharing his personal experiences, Dr. Johnson will give you gems to motivate your students. Helping those with labels who struggle with learning difficulties (labels) i.e. Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, Sensory Disorders or just issues with memory or lagging neuro-development. A brighter future is assured with professionals such as Dr, Jan's guest today.

Homeschooling- When Does It Really Begin? Part 1

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:15:03 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell gives insights to parents about the best and brightest activities you can do with your children. It doesn't matter whether they are infants, toddlers, or older. We're never to young or old to help with the natural steps of development and experiencing improved memory, comprehension, and recall of information we've heard, read, seen, or touched.

You will discover how much you have in common with this woman who raised her children and now is having a huge impact on the lives of her grandchildren. Parents who learn techniques and skills can help their children's brain become more efficient-neurologically connected between the brain and body. Unfortunately, an occurrence that in this day and age of so many gadgets that hamper the natural cycle of crawling and cross patterning which impacts all modes of learning and retaining information.

We have had so many kindergarten and early years of elementary express there is a general disconnect in functional abilities that are slowing bright and average kids down in their school work. They talk about these issues as if it were an epidemic across the board.

Little Giant Step's commission is to help families help their children reach their fullest God-given potential in learning. Come to BRAIN COACH TIPS , our YouTube Channel. SUBSCRIBE ! We add new videos every Thursday. Don't miss the extremely valuable tips that gives you new tools to help your whole family be more successful.

Organized Einstein (part 1)

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 02:00:07 GMT

Dr. Jan Bedell introduces us to a wise and wonderful way to help ALL who could use a faster, more accurate, and easier recall of information. Especially the students who, due to developmental lack of stimulation and cross patterning as infants. It affects every person, even those who are highly intelligent or gifted.

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life teaches the skills of establishing good organization in the lower levels of the brain. When the neuro-connections are efficient between the brain and body, the cognitive, physical, and essence of the individual fostered by the abundance of intelligence can become all it was intended to be. Providing the nurturing, discipline, and abundance of love and joy surrounding the learning experience, amplifies the experience even further. Dr. Jan Bedell explores the needs and requirements of the gifted side of the spectrum of learning. Follow this link to Dr. Jan's session on YouTube.

Eliminate Limiting Function

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 01:30:03 GMT

No longer do parents have to settle for their struggling children only learning to cope and compensate. Brain Sprints has over twenty years of experience in training parents how to organize their child's brain, so they begin to experience success in learning. You can learn to bring into being many other positive changes through the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life - solid brain training programs.

You know better than anyone when there are things going on with your child. Like when they suffer from poor school performance. The problem is you just don't know how to help? Start with the free services to help you gain skills and insight.

Don't miss Dr. Jan Bedell's Brain Coach Tips on YouTube . You will be amazed how much your'll learn and how you will be the positive change-agent in your child's future.

Create a Positive Learning Environment (part 2)

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 01:15:03 GMT

In this second part of the message, you will be equipped with a behavior modification strategy. The root cause of poor behavior could be caused by many things. Now, you'll have the tools and skills you'll need to make behavior issues much better.

Create A Positive Learning Environment

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 01:15:03 GMT

Make Reading Easier

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 01:51:04 GMT

When your child has trouble reading, it is often a puzzle to everyone involved. Instead of just changing curriculum or hiring a tutor, let’s investigate together what could be causing the struggle. I strongly encourage you not to go buy another phonics program! It may not be the phonics program that is the issue at all. Today you will learn about auditory processing as it relates to reading. When the processing is low, that often causes the difficulty with being able to read well with phonics. By listening to this Brain Coach Tip, you will also begin to understand what other root causes might be negatively effecting a child’s ability to read. Ways to change the brain so learning is easier will be recommended.

Watch the video and learn new techniques and skills that will fix many functional issues

Websites to help with reading & remembering- Free products:

Auditory Processing Test Kit

Sometimes it difficult to know where to start. Here's free service:

Free Survey with Professional Review & Recommendations

Spelling Essentials

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 01:00:03 GMT

From the viewpoint of the NeuroDevelopmental Approach, one prerequisite to consistently spelling correctly is the ability to visualize (see in pictures). You also need the skill of visual discrimination, i.e. the ability to see slight differences in very similar words. These foundational skills can be easily developed with the right know-how.

Adoption Isn't Love Enough?

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 01:00:03 GMT

In this Brain Coach Tip, you will learn what happens to the brain when there is trauma. All children that are adopted have gone through the trauma of abandonment and rejection at the very least (even if they were adopted at birth) and often much more trauma than that.

The good news is that the brain pathways that were damaged can be rebuilt with specific stimulation. God can do miracles and often does, but typically to regain overall health after trauma, love just isn’t enough.

Dr. Jan Bedell will share with you an important issue for anyone, especially for children who've endured trauma in their early life. She teaches how to turn these negative experiences into new positive dynamics by utilizing brain training activities through the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life.

Siblings of Special Needs

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:45:03 GMT

Are there ways that parents can help their other children through the ups and downs of daily life with a special needs family member? The answer is yes! In this episode, Dr. Jan brings in a special guest, an adult sibling of an individual with special needs. You will enjoy this candid discussion of what went right and what could have been better for these siblings, one with moderate/severe special needs and one gifted/typically developing.one with moderate/severe special needs and one gifted/typically developing.

The Best Way to Teach Reading

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:45:03 GMT

Reading curriculum over the years has been like a pendulum swinging back and forth from phonics to sight to phonics... The controversy roars on with little attention given to anything except technique. This contracted view of reading has resulted in millions of people being unduly diagnosed with dyslexia and other reading and language delays. The brain is a magnificent creation that can change and inefficiencies can be overcome with the right kind of stimulation. Don’t settle for coping and compensating, learn to change the brain and reading won’t be such a struggle anymore.

Understanding Learning Styles Foundation

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:03 GMT

There is a philosophy of teaching to your child's specific learning style that has become very popular over the past decade. In this week’s Brain Coach Tips, Dr. Jan asks you to think differently as teaching to one learning style leaves a child with challenges to get informaton efficiently. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach promotes the idea that it is best to have brain efficiency in all areas of learning. The reason for this is common sense when you really take a look at it. There is certain information that can only come in one sensory area or is best coming in that specific sensory channel. Take a sunset for instance. You can’t touch it or hear it so that information must come in through the visual channel. Help your child to be a better-rounded learner by developing all the learning channels.

Far-Reaching Effects of Ear Infections

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 00:00:03 GMT

LEARN AND MAKE THINGS BETTER

Ear infections are painful, but who knew the extremely far reaching effects of fluid on the inner ear, that is often the result of ear infections and allergies? The Brain Coach, Dr. Jan Bedell, will go through the cascading negative consequences of ear infections. Learn how to change the negative effects and avoid difficulties altogether with some simple know-how.

Does a Homeschooled Child with Learning Struggles Need an IEP or an INP?

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 21:44:34 GMT

In public school it is common to have an IEP (Individual Educational Plan). These public school professionals look at a child’s current educational status in comparison to the child’s peers and make a plan to increase the performance of an underachieving student. These plans are typically goals for the year and stated as something like: “Charles will increase words per minute read with 80% accuracy” or “Olivia will print her name and five other word without a visual prompt”. How does the concept of an IEP that is performance based in its outlook translate to the homeschool mom of a child that has more needs than just academic? The mom sees the challenges in academic areas but knows there is more ability there than the child is able to give back.

That is where an INP would produce better results. An INP is an Individualized NeuroDevelopmental Plan. NeuroDevelopment (ND) has to do with the brain’s development in three strategic area of input (“input” being, getting information accurately into the child’s brain) through the auditory, visual and tactile learning channels. Those areas of development are used by the brain for “output” or an individual’s ability to complete a task in three main areas of output: language, fine motor and mobility (the motor pathways from the brain making it possible to move all the body parts in space including good coordination). Why is this important? The brain controls everything we do and if it doesn’t get good “input” the “output” will not be acceptable.

To understand more about the importance of NeuroDevelopment in addressing learning challenges, I encourage you to read this book by Linda Kane - It's All About the Brain .

Let me give you an example of how NeuroDevelopmentalists look at these issues differently. If the educational goal for a child is to increase handwriting skills, the traditional approach is to have the student practice over and over with a specific verbal instruction or a visual example. Evaluating the situation from an ND perspective, what if the pathway from the brain to the fingers (tactile pathway) is immature and the fingers are not getting the correct information from the brain to make the letters correctly. Then again, what if the central detail vision is not developed fully (this is a developmental issue not one that is helped with a prescription from an eye doctor) or the eye tracking and convergence is off, the visual images would be distorted as they were being written. All the practice in the world is not going to overcome those area of incorrect information from the brain in order to help the handwriting.

Instead of the emphasis being on the child’s performance, the emphasis should be on finding the root cause(s) of the shortfall in performance of a skill. That is where an INP can be very helpful. Allow me to give you an example from my own experience homeschooling my daughter that was developmentally delayed. I was a certified teacher when I started homeschooling and was familiar with IEPs. On my homeschool IEP, I had the goal of her reading phonetically past CVC words. Of course a step toward that goal in my mind was the mastery of all the phonograms that make up larger words. We used a phonics program with 70 cards representing the sound(s) of each phonogram. My daughter mastered all the cards even the one that had 6 sound for a particular phonogram but was rarely able to hold the sounds together long enough to read a word past the three letter CVC words. After starting on her INP from a NeuroDevelopmentalist, I understood the additional developmental issues that were holding her back from reading with phonics. One issue was her low auditory processing ability (auditory short-term memory). Not only was her processing so low that it caused her to act in a very immature way, it also prevented the retention of the sounds to make a word after the laborious pronouncing of each phonogram.

To see if low auditory or visual processing is an issue for your child, go to www.BrainSprints.com and scroll down to “Tools” to get the free processing test kits.

Another issue that caused reading to be a struggle is that my daughter’s central vision had not developed well and because of this, she kept skipping lines, words or parts of words. To address these areas of developmental, her INP had eye tracking activities, specific activities for developing the central vision and lots of practice for her auditory short-term memory. These along with other brain stimulating activities made it possible for her to read longer words which would have been the goal on an IEP but only really able to be achieved through an INP. Treating the root cause is really the key to changing the brain and thus changing the outcome.

What is the difference in an IEP and an INP? The IEP is focused on the “output” or specific performed ability as the goal. The approach of an IEP is to find as many ways possible to practice the skill. The INP is focused on stimulating the brain so the goal is more easily achievable.

If you are interested in finding out if an INP (Individualized NeuroDevelopmental Plan) is right for your child, schedule for a free personalized consultation with a NeuroDevelopmental Specialist.

Cornerstone of Math

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 02:45:03 GMT

WHEN WE SEE OUR KIDS STRUGGLING WITH MATH, IT'S NO JOKE.

Is your child struggling with math? Do you have a gifted child that needs to secure a good math foundation that will let them soar? Is your 5, 9 or 15 year old having trouble remembering their math facts? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, this is the podcast for you!

Reading Struggles

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 02:28:57 GMT

THE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH CAN FIX MANY ISSUES LIKE THIS:

Do you have a child that is a struggling reader? Have you wondered if your child has dyslexia? Once again Dr. Jan asks us to think differently and drop the thought of labels. Labels are often given when a certain number of symptoms are present. What good is a symptomatic label to your child’s progress in school and in life? The NeuroDevelopmental Approach looks at what is causing the symptoms and finds solutions to address those symptoms. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Say No to Labels and Yes to Hope!

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:45:02 GMT

Neuro refers to the brain and Development is the path to efficient function. Good for homeschools. The brain controls everything you do. So, understanding foundational steps of brain development allows you to maximize God’s incredible design – YOU! This foundation consists of a certain level of organization and the ability to receive, process, as well as store information efficiently before it can be used in everyday life. With the knowledge of a few simple but key components of The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life, you can get rid of those frustrating roadblocks to learning and achieve superior functional abilities for life. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach DVD has information that applies to typically developing children as well as gifted and those with learning struggles.

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:45:02 GMT

The NeuroDevelopmental Approach to Life offers so many solutions to learning struggles. First, is to discover the root cause (typically it's a matter of a few developmental steps having been missed as an infant or toddler. When the connections between the brain and body are not fully developed then you see issues like ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and many more such difficulties. The NeuroDevelopmental Program stimulates the brain to make those connections, and when there's brain efficiency, behavior, abilities and successful learning become a part of their daily life. We provide a FREE SURVEY to help you identify specific issues and get started.

So, if your child distracted, disorganized or impulsive? Has someone suggested that they are ADD and they need to be put on medication to reach their full potential? In this Brain Tips Video Dr. Jan visits with Michelle, Little Giant Steps’ Director of Parent Support, about her encounter with the ND Approach with her two sons. Click on picture to gain access to The Brain Coach Tip for today and learn how you can be the change-agent in your child's academic and social life.

The Best Kept Secret

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:45:02 GMT

Auditory Processing is known in my circles as the best-kept secret in education because few people know about it, yet it affects so many aspects of everyday life. We are talking here about your auditory short-term memory. This auditory deficit has reached epidemic proportions and now officially has its own label – CAPD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder. There are varying degrees of deficiency in auditory processing, and I contend that it is one of the root causes of many learning labels such as dyslexia, ADD and ADHD. At the very least it is intensifying a negative situation for children that are struggling whether they are gifted, typical or have diagnosed learning disabilities.

Foundation of all Learning Style

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 00:25:39 GMT

The paradigm of Learning Styles Philosophy has been adopted by many in academia and by homeschool families. It promotes the notion that you should find the primary learning style of each student and then teach whatever you are teaching through that style. The NeuroDevelopmenatal Approach to life and learning promotes the idea that it is best to have brain efficiency in all areas to be most successful in academic pursuits. Brain inefficiencies in a tactile, auditory or visual channel can cause a student to choose a particular learning style or have a particular learning preference because of the shortcomings in another area. If there are several inefficiencies in the way the brain is taking in information, the student will most likely be labeled. The good news is that with the right kind of brain stimulation, learning struggles don’t have to last a lifetime.

Shoring Up Learning Styles

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 23:45:02 GMT

For many years we have heard about teaching to your child's learning style. God has given us five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell because we need them all to experience His world. We just take in some information better through certain channels. You can't smell or hear a sunset. If one of our learning channels is not working well, we can not learn as efficently. 1 of 5 US children struggle with learning difficulties. The good new is the brain can change with proper simulation. Tune in to learn how to shore up your child's learning foundation. Find out more about Developmental Foundations to give you specific access to activities that do shore up the foundation of brain function.

To Label or Not To Label

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 23:45:04 GMT

With so many learning and functional labels popping up in the educational field, many parents are confused by the pros and cons to getting a label for their child. So many labels come with recommendations for medication and many parents are wary of the side effects or long-term implications of labels and medications. From a NeuroDevelopmental perspective, looking for what causes these challenges is the first step. When you know the root cause, you can move toward finding the way to stimulate the brain so it changes. A changed brain produces changed abilities. Changed abilities causes changed behaviors. Many times labels like dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia come with a vague list of recommendations that could be tried and often leave parents confused as to what to do next. Sometimes labels come with recommendations for expensive therapies.

The Brain Coach Tip: these type labels can and often should be avoided. Let's fix it instead!

Drama Queen

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 23:30:03 GMT

When emotions are over the top and you just can’t figure out what is setting them off. You might have a Drama Queen/King at your house. Looking for the root causes instead of just reacting is a productive way to look at this situation. Jan Bedell, the Brain Coach, is here to help you look through “neurodevelopmental eyes” at what might be the root cause of all this drama around your house. Joining Jan today is Ruth Young, a 10 year veteran NeuroDevelopmentalist, certified teacher and home school mom of five. Ruth will be sharing her experience with a Drama Queen and the neurodevelopmental solutions she found that changed her daughter’s future.

School Reboot

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 13:32:23 GMT

Everyone needs a break from the regular school routine. This includes moms and children alike. The questions is, how do you get back into the swing of things after a spring break, summer break or a holiday without stressing out the whole household? Today Dr. Jan will give some practical suggestions on how to ease back into the routine. This technique can be especially important for those children with learning struggles or labels like dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD and autism.

Handwriting Tips

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 23:15:03 GMT

Have you wondered if it is worth the battle to get your children to hold their pencil correctly? Is it truly that important? The answer is yes!

Foundational skills and strategic hand muscle development are key to easily holding a pencil or eating utensils correctly. Whether you have a typical developing or gifted child, one with a learning struggle or a label such as dysgraphia, or even one with a syndrome or genetic challenge, this podcast will provide specific direction on how to make handwriting easier for your child.

He's Just Not Trying

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:18:49 GMT

Parents, knowing that their child is smart, often struggle with the child’s actions that are less than expected or age appropriate. They can misjudge the situation and think the child is just not trying when in fact there may be inefficiencies in the brain that cause the troubling behaviors. Learn in this episode several examples of smart children that were thought to be goofing off, not paying attention or just not trying. There were reasons behind the poor behavior that did not have a behavioral element. Ways to help these challenges and heal the relationship between the parents and the children can be found.

Special Needs Homeschooling

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:06:16 GMT

Every child is unique and needs specialized attention, yet some seem to require more. Many struggle to progress through typical milestones and traditional curriculum and approaches don’t seem to help them much. Dr. Jan shares her dilemmas and struggle with her first born, Jenee’ and how God’s providence brought her to The NeuroDevelopmental Approach and changed both of their lives. You will be inspired that the same kinds of progress can happen for you with your child with labels like dyslexic, ADD, ADHD, autistic, developmentally delays as well as those with syndromes.

Healing from Trauma

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 14:15:02 GMT

Dr Jan will be joined by a colleague, Ruth Young. Ruth has been a NeuroDevelopmentalist for 15 years, is a pastor’s wife of 37 years, and an author of many article on the NeuroDevelopmental Approach and a great study guide, Release From Fear. Ruth was a victim of childhood abuse and knows firsthand the healing effects of the NeuroDevelopmental Approach in her own life as well as those in her practice. She will share how this approach can have an amazingly positive effect on those who have suffered traumas from any of the many causes, including adoption, abuse, neglect, fever, surgery, vaccinations, and pre-mature birth to mention a few.

Autism Solutions

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 14:15:02 GMT

Autism is a multi-faceted diagnosis that includes such symptoms as processing delays and sensory integration dysfunction, as well as metabolic (chemistry of the body) issues and more. The NeuroDevelopmental Approach looks for the root causes of the symptoms of any label including Autism and takes a multi-pronged approach to relieving the symptoms. At Little Giant Steps, we use the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to equip parents with a plan of activities to address those root causes at home. The result are dramatic! Over time, the symptoms diminish and sometime fully disappear

You Knew It Yesterday

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 12:15:02 GMT

Have you ever had that frustrating experience where you were certain your child grasped an academic concept, and then the very next day, she couldn’t recall ever seeing it? Well, I can tell you, it is not just a frustration for you. The child often vacillates from discouraged to devastated. In this episode, Dr. Jan tells her story of inconsistent recall and the frustration it caused her. Even after studying hard, she was unable to recall the information when under the pressure of a testing situation. The good news is that the NeuroDevelopmental Approach to life can change all that if you are willing to think differently about education.

The brain controls everything that you do. Thus, when you need a solution for a learning challenge, the brain is where you must start. The brain needs to be organized like a container built for storing information instead of a sieve-like structure where everything leaks out. Many children miss developmental steps and the result is poor organization of the brain. The good news is that a child who is struggling to learn or who has a learning label like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger’s or Autism can develop this part of the brain.

The Best Way to Teach Reading

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 23:30:02 GMT

For more than a century and a half, a rather combative struggle over the best way to teach reading has persisted. Both sides are adamant about their recommendations and almost militant against the other side. Reading curriculum over the years has been like a pendulum swinging back and forth from phonics to sight to phonics... The controversy roars on with little attention given to anything except technique. This contracted view of reading has resulted in millions of people being unduly diagnosed with dyslexia and other reading and language delays.

The brain is a magnificent creation that can change and inefficiencies can be overcome with the right kind of stimulation. Don’t settle for coping and compensating, learn to change the brain and reading won’t be such a struggle anymore.

Adoption, Isn't Love Enough

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 23:30:02 GMT

In this Brain Coach Tip, you will learn the sad consequences of trauma on the brain. All children that are adopted have gone through the trauma of abandonment and rejection at the very least (even if they were adopted at birth). Depending on the circumstances, there is often much more trauma involved than just the two listed above. When there is trauma, there are chemicals released in the brain to allow the person to stay alive but these chemicals cause damage to the neuropathways. This damage can cause emotional, behavioral and academic struggles. There is good news though. The brain has tremendous ability to change and grow. This is called brain plasticity. It means that pathways that were damaged can be rebuilt with specific stimulation. God can do miracles and often does, but typically to regain overall health after trauma, love just isn’t enough. Intervention in the form of neurodevelopment can make all the difference in the individual’s outcomes.

Far-Reaching Effects Of Ear infections

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:15:02 GMT

"Ear infections are painful, but who knew the extremely far reaching effects of fluid on the inner ear, that is often the result of ear infections and allergies? The Brain Coach, Dr. Jan Bedell, will go through the cascading negative consequences of ear infections. Learn how to change the negative effects and avoid difficulties altogether with some simple know-how.

Many of the symptoms experienced by children with learning challenges, ADD, ADHD, CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder), tonal processing and other auditory processing issues results from not having clear input to the brain because of distortions that exist with fluid in the ears. In addition to other challenges, children with small ear canals, like many of those with Down syndrome, are highly susceptible to developmental delays because of this reoccurring illness. Let’s change that!"

When does Homeschooling Begin? part 2

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:05:07 GMT

Between birth and two years of age, a child’s brain grows at explosive rates. Learning to “input” information in the form of sensory involvement (auditory, visual, tactile, smells and tastes) can accelerate brain growth. This causes the development/formation of proper neurological pathways, which resemble super highways. When the networks of super highways exist, the brain is able to take the most efficient route in accomplishing a task. You will learn to use those strategic moments in your day to help your infant be “home schooled” from birth.

When does Homeschool Begin part 1

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 23:10:10 GMT

You can make life a lot easier for you and your children by knowing some simple activities to do with them from a very early age. Between birth and two years of age, a child’s brain grows at explosive rates. Learn to “input” or get information into those little brains through stimulation to all the senses - auditory, visual, tactile, smells and tastes. This stimulation causes the development/formation of proper neurological pathways, which resemble super highways. When the networks of super highways exist, the brain is able to take the most efficient route in accomplishing a task. In Part 1 and Part 2, you will learn to use those strategic moments in your day to help your infant be “home schooled” from birth.

New Confidence

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 11:30:02 GMT

The confidence he has gained by learning how to read the 1-6 books has really been a blessing. He has been so concerned about not being able to read like other kids his age and this has really made him feel like he has made progress. He is proud of himself.

RP Jacksonville, TX

Why Cursive

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 11:30:02 GMT

Why Cursive

Have you ever wondered if cursive is really necessary? Several studies have shown a neurological connection especially for young boys. The emphasis has been taken off the training of cursive in our public schools but the importance and even necessity is being discussed today. Dr. Jan visits with CursiveLogics' co-founder and help you to understand the importance of cursive and what techniques might be the best and easiest way to teach it. Prisca also shares the interesting story of how CursiveLogic came to be.

Enhancing the Gifted Child

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 11:45:03 GMT

In this enhancing giftedness episode, Dr. Jan Bedell, the Little Giant Steps’ Brain Coach, shares her experience with her gifted grandchildren in there multigenerational household. She explains that it is not simply about intelligence. Rather, an organized brain that processes well is what really releases the full potential of an individual no matter what their IQ. By learning how to help the brain’s processing speed and efficiency, you can help your gifted child release the full potential that lies on the inside. You will receive some tips to help you stay ahead of that gifted child without adding loads of extra work to your plate. These same brain enhancing tips are not just for the gifted! They can be helpful for those who are typically developing or even for struggling learners. After all, we all have a brain!

What People are Saying Today

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 11:22:39 GMT

G has improved in conversational skills so well that other family members have noticed! He has gone up levels in Auditory Object Sequence and in Digit Spans! He has on his own corrected words at times that he says incorrectly.

LM/AM Slaton, TX

Behavior

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 11:00:02 GMT

Do you have children that are constantly in trouble? They don’t look at you when you talk to them. Following directions is a constant source of conflict. They don’t answer when spoken to. Sitting still and doing their school work is next to impossible. This may not be defiance! Dr. Jan has worked with clients using the NeuroDevelopmental Approach for over 20 years. She has seen the change in children when the root cause is addresses whether it is developmental or metabolic (chemistry of the body).

Of course, we are all born with a sin nature, but that is not always the source of the problem. If a child skips a NeuroDevelopmental step there may be an issue with how he sees, hears, or processes, but there is still hope! Before you go for a label like ADD, ADHD, let’s see if a drug-free solution can make the needed changes. We were fearfully and wonderfully made so we can still develop the pathways needed to complete these poor pathways in the brain.

The New Label on the Block CAPD

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:00:02 GMT

This label, like other labels in our educational system, is a symptomatic label. That means if there are enough symptoms on a checklist, the label is given. As always in NeuroDevelopment, the question is: what is causing these symptoms to occur? Our society’s practices are the culprit again! In this episode, Jan Bedell, the Brain Coach, will provide a broader understanding of CAPD and its far-reaching effects. If you know someone that has trouble following directions, staying on task, reading with a phonics approach, or comprehending what is said and read, this podcast can offer some real answers.

Many times the same symptoms that are associated with CAPD are also experienced by individuals that have or are suspected of having ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning struggles or disabilities. This podcast will discuss how low auditory processing presents challenges for every sector of our society. It will also include ways to improve the inefficiencies found in the symptoms of these labels. By learning how to improve these brain inefficiencies, you can greatly improve your child’s auditory processing!

Kindergarten Tips

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 11:00:02 GMT

From Brain Sprints’ perspective, kindergarten is the culmination of effective development in six areas: tactile, auditory, visual, manual (hand dominance and fine motor ability), language and mobility (coordination and brain organization). When there are gaps in one or more areas of development, children can suffer from a myriad of learning challenges and even learning labels like ADD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, CAPD and many others. Most people try to fix these inefficiencies with curriculum when in fact, curriculum is designed to advance an individual that already has efficient brain development.

Sibling of Special Needs

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 22:15:02 GMT

Special needs require special focus. Many parents must focus a great deal on their child with special needs, and rightfully so. Yet, how does the situation of having a special needs sibling affect the other children in the home? All family members of children with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, developmental delays, CAPD, Autism as well as those with syndromes and genetic disorders of all types are affected by these complicated issues.

Preschool Essentials

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 22:00:02 GMT

What is it that preschoolers really need to experience to help their brains work at peak capacity when they start formal schooling? That question has puzzled professionals in the educational field for years. From a neurodevelopmental perspective, preschool preparation has nothing much to do with books you find at teacher supply stores, Sam’s or Cosco marked “preschool skills.” It is not whether a child can use scissors, identify letters and numbers or write his name. It has everything to do with the development of the central nervous system and most especially the brain.

The brain controls everything we do so if we prepare it with a good developmental foundation, it preforms like a well-oiled machine when the pressures of formal academics are presented. In other words, all of the skills mentioned above that so many people concentrate on when trying to teach a particular skill, are really a natural result of a good development and specifically neurodevelopment like you find at Brain Sprints.

Creating a Postiive Learning Environment (part 2)

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:15:03 GMT

For your behavior system to be effective it has to do two things: 1) equip you with a way to stay calm and not get “hooked” by the child’s negative behavior, and 2) make it worthwhile to the child to be self-disciplined. In Creating a Positive Learning Environment Part 2, Dr. Jan shares a behavior management approach that is so effective that the child won’t ever want to suffer the consequence of their negative behavior ever again. It typically takes two weeks or less to get a good start on the process.

Let's Fix It!

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:15:02 GMT

Being a mom of a child with involved developmental issues, Jan knows first-hand the feeling of wanting to “fix it.” The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life is dynamically effective for changing the structure of the brain so individuals move through life more efficiently. What if your child, or maybe even you, has issues similar to what you have read regarding dyslexia? The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life has the capacity to “fix” the glitches in the brain that represent the root causes of these symptoms.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment (part 1)

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 14:15:02 GMT

Part 1 will explore metabolic and neurodevelopmental root causes which are beyond the child’s control. You will also be equipped with a way to change your interactions with your child from negative to positive. These are some of the first steps to creating a more positive learning and home environment. Examples of how to make handwriting, math and reading a more positive part of your school day are included as well .

Brain Plasticity

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 02:58:27 GMT

Have you ever heard our brains are hardwired by the time we reach our adult years? Modern technology like MRI and other scans have shown us otherwise. This is confirmed by the fact that a stroke victim who has lost the ability to speak, walk, or feed themselves is able to regain that ability. What science now confirms with technology is what neurodevelopmentalists have known for half a century. The brain changes and grows based on the stimulation that the person’s brain receives.

When the stimulation is specific and targeted, the change in function can be dramatic. What does this mean for individuals that are struggling academically and in life? It means that with the right intervention, taught to parents to do in the home, there can be positive changes in symptoms found in labels like dyslexia, Autism, ADD, ADHD, CAPD, ODD and even effects of syndromes like Down. Listen in to know how this can benefit your life or the life of someone you know.

Long Term Memory Boosters

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:05:33 GMT

More and more families are seeking help for their children to function better emotionally, behaviorally as well as academically. Many are having long term memory problems where they seem to know something one day and not the next. One reason for this is the link between hand, eye and ear dominance. Knowing about how this changes your child’s abilities to remember can bring down the frustration for both you and your child. Two other factors that shape long term memory abilities are visualization and conceptualization. This week, the Brain Coach will also include some activities you can do to help these two vital storage abilities.

It's Just a Sock

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 13:30:02 GMT

It is hard to understand the reaction of some children when their tactile system is giving the wrong messages to the brain. The sensory system is the gateway to overall ability of an individual to go through life with few or no distractions. A person has to experience the correct input from the sensory system to be able to use that information in life. When it is not functioning correctly, it sends messages to the brain that are interrupted as pain. The tactile system is well known for giving poor messages when a child hasn’t gone through the correct developmental steps. Learn why your child may be, what you deem, overreacting and what can be done to help the tactile system to regulate for more stress-free living.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment (part 2)

Sat, 10 Jul 2021 22:35:32 GMT

In Part 2 of this two part message, you will be equipped with a behavior modification strategy. The root cause of poor behavior could be the child’s choices, his sin nature. Behavior modification is the topic of many books, ministries and websites, so it can be confusing terrain for parents. Disciplining children in general is sometimes difficult. When you add learning issues or low auditory processing into the mix, additional challenging can arise. Extra thought and attention may be required in these instances. No matter what the state of the child, a behavior management system is necessary to curb the sin nature we were all born with. For your behavior system to be effective it has to do two things: 1) equip you with a way to stay calm and not get “hooked” by the child’s negative behavior, and 2) make it worthwhile to the child to be self-disciplined. In Creating a Positive Learning Environment Part 2, Dr. Jan shares a behavior management approach that is so effective that the child won’t ever want to suffer the consequence of their negative behavior ever again. It typically takes two weeks or less to get a good start on the process.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment Part 1

Sat, 10 Jul 2021 21:51:34 GMT

In Part 1 of this two part message, you will be challenged to think differently about a child’s behavior. You must get to the root cause of the matter. Is it the sin nature, are there metabolic issues caused by the inner chemistry of the body or are there neurodevelopmental factors that contribute to poor behavior. Part 1 will explore metabolic and neurodevelopmental root causes which are beyond the child’s control. You will also be equipped with a way to change your interactions with your child from negative to positive. These are some of the first steps to creating a more positive learning and home environment. Examples of how to make handwriting, math and reading a more positive part of your school day are included as well.

Strategic School Start

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:32:00 GMT

The excitement of a new school year buzzes through buildings and homes as the time approaches. New clothes, shiny notebooks and fresh curriculum to be unpacked and explored! The question is, how to keep the excitement and momentum as you add to an already demanding daily life to include a successful school year? Today Dr. Jan Bedell talks about the most strategic way to get started. She shares how to focus on your true purpose. Don't get blindside by the enemy who wants to keep you frustrated and defeated.

It's Not That Loud

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:30:02 GMT

Real pain is experienced when the sensory system is on overload. In this episode, Jan Bedell, Little Giant Steps’ Brain Coach, will discuss with guest NeuroDevelopmentalist, Ruth Young, the challenges experienced when the brain hears too much. They will also discuss “tonal processing” issues where the brain mishears what is sent to the ear from outside input. Children with this issue often think you said one thing, but you really said something different. Imagine how hard it is to navigate through a world that at times sounds like a foreign language. Come find help for these frustrating situations.

HyperVision

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:15:02 GMT

Vision is more than seeing 20/20. Discover more about The NeuroDevelopmental Profile as it relates to vision and visual distortions in this Brain Coach Tip episode. There are seven main visual developmental levels that all children should go through. Some of these areas of development are compromised by our cultural practices of putting our infants in gadgets such as walkers, swings and jump-ups. When an individual doesn’t go through the correct developmental stages where vision is developed, challenges can occur. The good news is that we don’t have to focus on the symptoms that are often on the checklists for labels such as Dyslexia, Autism, ADD/ADHD or Sensory Integration Disorder (SID). We can address the root cause of the symptoms and change the child’s function, thus reducing or eliminating the symptoms all together.

The Struggling Learner

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:05:11 GMT

As you may be experiencing, educating a child that is struggling -academically, emotionally or behaviorally can be a real challenge. Brain Sprints is here to be of service. Sometimes when you are out there, seemingly alone as a homeschool mom, you can even start to doubt yourself and wonder if you are equipped for the job. After all, the “educators” may have told you that you should let the professionals handle things. Let me assure you, your precious little one is in the right place, at home! If you are just now considering homeschooling your struggling learner, I highly encourage you to do so. All you need is to be equipped. Come and be encouraged and start that equipping process.

SOS Stressed Child

Sun, 23 May 2021 12:00:02 GMT

Many times stress comes from an inefficient pathways in the brain that cause learning struggles and even labels like dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD and autism. Having a stressed student makes for a long day! Dr. Jan discusses some of the factors that can cause stress in your homeschool life and gives some practical solutions. Once again, she asks you to think differently. The solution is never contained in the problem so if the problem is where you are focused, the answer is hidden from you

Improve your Child’s Auditory Processing Abilities

Sun, 16 May 2021 14:00:02 GMT

Many parents are struggling to supplement the limited resources that the schools are offering.

In this current climate of home learning, many parents are struggling to supplement the limited resources that the schools are offering. Some parents are overwhelmed and worried that their children will be behind when schools reopen in the fall. Audiobooks are a resource you can add to your routine that will help improve learning and develop stronger auditory processing skills. AudioBooks are an often overlooked tool that will greatly increase your child’s education.

If you are hearing things like “I’m bored” or “I hate reading”, audiobooks may be just the key to unlocking a great learning opportunity. When your children need something productive and are feeling antsy, audio stories or books are a great way to tap into imagination and creativty. Here at Brain Sprints we understand that brain training is an ongoing process and should be a part of our everyday activities.

Start with their Interests

If your children are not accustomed to listening to audiobooks, start with something that is interesting to them. Introduce simple chapter books like Magic Treehouse, A to Z Mysteries or for older elementary students choose classics like Chronicles of Narnia or Swiss Family Robinson. Children of all ages can benefit from listening to audiobooks. Even prereaders can learn to follow story lines with short books like fairy tales or fables.

Have them listen to the story with no visual stimulations. You want your children to develop their imagination and indvidual creativy as they listen to the audiobooks.

Tip: If you find that your children are not able to sit still while they listen, give them simple proejcts that they can do to keep their hands occupied like coloring, building with blocks or working a puzzle. This will give them the opportunity to listen while being actively engaged in a project.

Watch Imagination Grow

Listenting to audiobooks helps with imagination. When you watch a movie everything is provided and the world is already created. Videos don’t allow children to develop their imagination. However, when children are listening to audio stories, they make the pictures in their head and develop ideas for how things should appear.

Help with Creative Writing

Audiobooks are a good way for young students to improve their writing skills. As they listen to classic books, chidren will develop a larger vocabulary and learn how sentences should flow and thoughts can be expressed. They will hear good literautre that they can emulate later.

Improve comprehension

Listening to audioboos also helps with comprehension. When students read something in other classes or hear verbal instructions, they will be able to hold more pieces of information together because they have been practicing their auditory processing.

What is Auditory Processing?

This is a child’s short term memory and the ability to stay on task and process information. Audio Processing also helps improve phonics, will improve their reading levels and encourage neurodevelopment in your student.

Audiobooks may seem like an easy step to include in your child’s home education, but there are so many benefits to listenting to audio stories. This is truly an easy way for the whole family to grow and develop ongoing education. Take some time today to check out these resources and include audiobooks in your lifestyle.

Are you in the McKinney, Texas area? Contact us today to let us help you and your child develop a learning plan.

_______

Info To Know! Audio CD - Learn the facts!

This auditory CD is a great tool for getting general information into the brain through the auditory channel. Information on the CD includes: modes of transportation, animals and their babies, days of the week, months of the year, continents, oceans, presidents, states, emotions, fruits, vegetables, ice cream flavors, occupations, and much, much more. There are 39 tracks in all. This CD is geared for children ages 3 to 12 years old, or for older children and adults with disabilities.

Link to audio store on LGS site

To Label or Not to Label? That is the Question!

Sun, 09 May 2021 13:52:27 GMT

"I know my child is struggling but the why of it all, escapes me"

Parents say, “I know my child is struggling but the why of it all, escapes me.” It is indeed a confusing world for parents of children that are having academic, behavioral and social challenges.

Your research on the Internet may have left you wondering if your child should have a label like: Dyslexic, ADD, ADHD, CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder), PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay), SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) or some other of the myriad of learning or sensory labels popping up on the horizon.

Let me say from the outset that there is definite place for labels but it is also prudent to explore why we might be cautious about pursuing a label. Instances when it is definitely advisable to label will be a later part of this discussion.

Legitimate questions for consideration when considering testing for an official diagnosis:

Will this be on a permanent record somewhere?
What will we do if they recommend medication?
What if some expensive program is suggested that is beyond our resources?
Will this provide the help I need to make a difference for my child?
What if they say that we shouldn’t be homeschooling?

First let’s establish this understanding from a NeuroDevelopmental perspective. The brain controls everything we do and in the case of learning struggles, the lack of brain development (neurodevelopment) is responsible for what we are not able to do or what we do at a lesser degree of adeptness. Does this lack of development mean the intelligence is lower, in no way! It simply means that there are gaps as in a wiring system with exposed wires.

The vast majority of labels are truly “symptomatic”. Those labels with a genetic basis like a chromosome abnormality or some insult to the central nervous system i.e. in-utero drug and alcohol exposure or oxygen deprivation are the exception to this labeling by a checklist. Typically a certain number of checkmarks on a list of characteristics or behaviors (symptoms) results in a label. The learning and behavior labels listed above have no blood test or brain scan. They are simply a list of symptoms and if there are enough checks on the list, the individual receives one or more labels.

Reasons you might not want to pursue a label:

1. Labels could put you on the wrong path for a remedy.

Timothy was labeled dyslexic because he was having trouble reading and had enough checks on the checklist to “qualify”. He was struggling in 2nd grade despite the typical dyslexia protocol and pull out classes in his local public school. After a NeuroDevelopmental (ND) evaluation, it was discovered that he was using the wrong hand for his dominant hand. Going against the genetic coding by using the wrong hand for writing was one of the main sources of Timothy’s struggles, not dyslexia. After 1 ½ years of home school with the ND approach, Timothy reentered school as a successful, left-handed 4th grader.

2. Labels can limit potential.

Samuel T. Orton, who coined the term “dyslexia”, stated that there were a number of characteristics commonly found in this population: poor balance, eyes not working together or poor tracking, underdeveloped central detail vision, cross dominance in eye or ear. Inadequate coordination, letter reversals, and phonemic awareness challenges also made the list.

John had this label and judged himself wrongly (“I’m not a very smart little boy.”) because he struggled to do what the other children did in class. John’s mom was desperate to find help for her son even after the two years of traditional dyslexia phonetic approach had brought him to grade level reading. She knew he was not reaching his potential. She said, “He just works way too hard and still has many symptoms listed in the dyslexia checklist.”

After sixteen months of the ND intervention administered by Mom at home, John’s reading comprehension went to 10th grade even though he was 6th grade age. Turns out John was brilliant (130 IQ) and this approach released more of his full potential by addressing all the root causes originally found by Orton.

3. Labels can be devastating!

This distressing experienced happened to David’s parents when he was diagnosed “probable schizophrenic” at age 8. The prognosis was grim - David would never drive, have a fulltime job, live on his own or get married. At age 12, the new label was PDD/NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified) meaning that there was a lot going wrong in David’s central nervous system. The report offered a few vague recommendations of coping and compensating but the new label didn’t help make the future any brighter. After picking themselves up off the floor from the blows of these labels, David’s parents went to work finding help for their son instead of just accepting the pronounced outcome. At 13 he started on a ND program that addressed the root cause of the inefficiencies in the central nervous system. The work was arduous and took several years but the result is that David started driving at 18, has been working fulltime for 12 years, he has lived on his own for 2 ½ years, at 32 he got a new job at close to $40 an hour and is now engaged to be married.

4. Labels often come with medication recommendations

Parents are often met with a very hard decision. They want the best situation for their child’s success but are concerned about the side effect that all medication by definition possess. For Aaron’s parents, this was a significant concern. Ritalin had been his routine for 4 years making it possible for him to function in the classroom. Puberty changed everything as he had hallucinations with an increased dose. This caused an urgency for a different solution. After nine months on a ND program, he was off all medication, doing well in school and now is a co-owner of a successful business. This change for Aaron came from a multi-pronged approach that includes help for the metabolic and/or chemical issues and through specific stimulation to the brain.

My child already has a label, now what?

Many parents come to us with a thick report and a confused and sometimes heartbroken look on their face. Their child was tested and received a label. What they thought was going to be an answer turned into a packet of mostly undiscernible language, some vague coping and compensating recommendations and a list of limitations the child will carry for life. NeuroDevelopmentalist recommend: Don’t accept limitations! Press in to find out how the outcome can be different. The ND approach can help unlock your child’s fullest God-given potential.

My encouragement is to take the testing information as a baseline. Recognize that the experience of the professional that gave this label is: individuals with these particular symptoms tend to always have these symptoms throughout life because nothing different was done. The experience achieved through ND is that individuals with these labels receive stimulation to the brain in specific areas, administered typically by the parent and a totally different outcome like that of Timothy, David, Aaron and thousands of others is achieved.

Every “glitch” in capability is caused by something in the brain and in turn, causes a negative ripple effect in abilities. These glitches shows up as functional, behavioral and/or academic challenges. The good news is that God has created brain plasticity or the brain’s ability to change and grow new pathways that results in a ripple of improved function.

My encouragement to you, don’t let devastation and limitation set in if you or your child already has a label. The outcome of a person’s future is dependent on the opportunities presented to them. When there is stimulation presented to the brain, it changes and function improves!

Reasons a label should be pursued:

When a label will facilitate insurance for expensive therapies such as speech, ABA, occupational and physical therapy
When there is a disability (low IQ or physical disability) that will require outside support for life
When modifications are needed in order to attend college

We firmly believe that parents are the experts on their children. Because our Little Giant Steps’ families have been equipped with answers and tools, children who were uncomfortable in their clothes can now tolerate clothing textures, even those pesky seams in socks! Children who skipped lines or words when reading, now can read fluently. Children who couldn’t stay on task or follow directions, now go through life without causing intense family conflicts. Children that couldn’t remember things from day-to-day are experiencing quick retrieval. It takes addressing the root cause!

Changing the brain is like building a better road between Point A and Point B. When this happens in the brain, the functional changes are like cruising down the highway instead of bumping down a dusty country road.

Most of our educational system is set up to test, label and put together a plan to remediate or lessen the academic load of those students who exhibit learning challenges. The result, students who get further behind in their academics with each passing year, often graduating with a non-functional education. What also exists are intelligent individuals who are able to cope and compensate to get through school but have a life-long struggle and rarely reach their full potential, because “life” doesn’t come with concessions, only school settings do.

The result of ND intervention is typically accelerated academics instead of falling further behind with each passing year. See positive results in just four months in graphs below.

To be sure, the complex question, “To Label or Not to Label” remains. You must consider all the ramifications for your personal situation. My prayer is that, like my discovery years ago where help for my daughter turned into accelerated function for thousands, you will find answers outside of the traditional labels. For more information call 972-758-1260 to set up a free consolation .

Why is My Bright Child Struggling?

Sun, 02 May 2021 13:42:33 GMT

Why is My Bright Child Struggling Academically, Emotionally, Physically?

There’s nothing like steaming along in your home school journey just to get one of your really bright “littles” started in kindergarten and hum, maybe he is just not ready for formal academics is your new thought. In first grade, even though there are struggles, forward progress is made. Your thoughts switch to, “We must be on track” just to find in 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade it all hits a wall. The dreaded wall of frustration and meltdowns.

NeuroDevelopmental enthusiasts agree with Frederick Douglas, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” What we do with our children each day, especially in the early stages of brain development, can affect their later coordination, their emotional maturity in handling life’s challenges and academic readiness/success.

What has changed?

Decades of changed cultural norms of putting infants in unnatural positions – on their backs, in gadgets (walkers, saucers, bouncers, bumbos…), carried continually (wraps and carriers) or propped in a sitting position before developmentally ready has wreaked havoc on our children’s brain development. Believe it or not, the mobility, tactile, visual and auditory development in year one produces a significant part of the brain’s foundation used for academics and functional abilities later in life. Many of our children lack the coordination of previous generations. You add the deficit in early development to the electronics and a sedentary lifestyle because of screens of all kinds, you have a recipe for challenges in many areas of life.

It is the author’s belief that the trends in child rearing mentioned above combined with reduced direct interaction with the child to develop short-term auditory memory are huge factors in test scores plummeting for many years. In addition, our brightest children being labeled “twice exceptional” (gifted with learning disabilities or labels) is skyrocketing.

Let’s explore some of the possible causes for symptoms that lead to labels.

Possible Root Cause #1 – Underdeveloped Visual System

Tragic is the thought that many really bright children don’t think they are very smart. Their high IQ reasons incorrectly that if things are easier for other children, there must be something “wrong with me”. Parents often struggle with unusual behaviors they don’t understand. Aiden’s parents were torn between wondering if there brilliant mathematician was just being lazy and careless or if there was another reason for all these math errors. High level algebra was a breeze yet his grades - F. On simple problems he would add when he was supposed to multiply or skip problems altogether. To make matters worse, Dad was really peeved that he didn’t look him in the eye when he spoke to him! The only thing these parents knew was what would typically be expected of this age child. To their surprise, there was a developmental reason for this poor academic and social performance - poor central detail vision. This underdeveloped eye function (totally different than 20/20 acuity) results in blank spaces in what you see up close and causes you to look with your peripheral vision thus looking like you are looking away in situations where eye contact is deemed important. Think of how this family’s dynamics change when a discovery like this is made. The fact that this was not a behavior or character issue for Aiden but a developmental one changed much of the negative interaction in the home while the root cause was being addressed.

Possible Root Cause #2 – Poor Auditory Short-term Memory

Other families notice the maturity and responsibility level in their child is lower than expected. The child acts like and gets along with younger children and seems socially immature with peers. This can be the result of low auditory processing and often causes additional friction in the family when for example, 10-16 year olds constantly forget chores or can’t stay on task to get school accomplished.

Have you experienced your displeasure growing when a really intelligent child just can’t seem to follow directions or remember details in a story being read aloud? From an ND perspective, these disturbing symptoms could also be caused by low auditory processing.

Possible Root Cause #3 – Incorrect Storage of Information

What about the maddening exercise of finally seeing the lightbulb come on in your child’s understanding of a certain concept in math or grammar just to have your hopes dashed the very next day. She looks at the problem waiting for you to explain it because she doesn’t remember FROM YESTERDAY what she is to do. “Unbelievable!” you think to yourself as you try to keep the frustration from your voice. Your thoughts, “What is going on here? I know she knew this yesterday.” This is what NeuroDevelopmentalists call inconsistent recall and the root cause, storing information in the wrong side of the brain.

So far, we have mentioned just a few of the developmental issues that keep bright children from reaching their full God-given potential. Hopefully this has given you pause to look for reasons for unusual behavior or performances instead of reacting negatively when relating with your bright children.

Now for the exceptionally good news!

We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made! God has made a way for us to stimulate the brain to gain better function. It is called brain plasticity or neuroplasticity referring to the ability of the brain to change and grow new pathways all through our life. The reality is, if someone is experiencing a negative symptom, there is a root cause for that symptom to exist. With the right kind of stimulation, a root cause can often improve significantly or be eliminated altogether.

The brain is obviously a complicated organ. All the knowledge needed to improve your child’s future can’t be delivered through this venue. My encouragement to you, start your journey to learn more about the development our Creator put in place and the amazing gift of neuroplasticity. There are admittedly other factors that could influence a child’s academic performance. The metabolic or internal chemistry of a child’s body is one area that should definitely be explored but is outside the scope of this article.

ND however has been confirmed to have a profound positive effect on your child’s future if implemented. Your first step to gaining a broader understanding of ND is to read the previous articles in this “NeuroDevelopmental series” from past issue of Homeschooling Today magazine. Another way to gain insight for your situation is through podcasts or YouTube presentations.

The brain controls everything we do so if a child is struggling academically, physically or emotionally besides asking our Maker for answers for spiritual causes the brain is where we must look for the answers. All parts of the brain are interlinked and depend on accurate and the quick transfer of information to work optimally.

Much like a computer that needs to be defragged to work to its full potential, organizing the brain with specific activities helps the individual gain faster and advanced functional abilities.

We have to realize that there is a big difference between an individual’s IQ and their functional ability. When someone has gone through all the developmental steps to make the proper connections in the brain, it functions like a super-powered computer connected to high speed internet. If those connections were not made for some reason, the function can resemble a computer connected to dial-up and will be less than optimal despite high intelligence.

You as a parent you hold the key to constructing the bridge over that wall of frustration and meltdowns to build strong boys and girls so you don’t have to later repair broken men and women. A few short, simple activities done consistently will change a child’s brain function for a lifetime. Remember it is never too late to change the brain.

For a free consultation to help you on your journey to release your child’s fullest God-given potential, click here !

Tips for Unexpected HomeSchool Parents

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 01:16:51 GMT

Do you find yourself in the unexpected role of homeschool parent?

Maybe you have never envisioned yourself teaching your children at home but today you are waking up to the job of educating your children with minimal help from the traditional school system. If this is where you find yourself today, then you need to know 5 important things that can help you address the new challenges you are facing.

School Can Be Fun

Believe it or not, your child can enjoy school especially if you teach to your child’s interests. It may take a few days to find your stride, but watch them each day when they start their non traditional school day. Do they light up when it comes to reading a new selection but their eyes glaze over when they start to work on math? Study their behaviors and look for the things that interest them.

One on One is better than Group

Becoming a homeschool parent with no warning is a daunting experience. But you may find that this opportunity is a great way to develop a new relationship with your child.Take some time each morning to plan the day and spend one on one time with each of your children.

You Know Enough

You don't have to be a certified teacher to home school your children. You may not have a teaching degree or understand the inner workings of their assignments that have been sent home, but what you do know is more valuable. You know your child better tahn anyone else. You also come to the table each morning with life skills and knowledge that is valuable. Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. Instead, use the internet and school provided resources to supplement what you may not feel are your strong points.

Don’t Worry about Gaps

Many parents that find themselves in the role of unexpected homeschool parent worry about finding the perfect curriculum. There is no perfect curriculum so don't be too concerned about covering everything. Many times,

internet searches can fill in the gaps in current knowledge anyway.

Think outside the Curriculum

There is much more to being educated than making it through certain curriculum books. Take some time to read with your children and disucss what you read from your worldview . It teaches your children to think for themselves!

I encourage you to learn more about NeuroDevelopment. That knowledge can help young brains at your house work better and help you face the daily challenges of unexpected homeschooling.

Looking for resources to help fill the gaps? We can help! Take a few minutes today to schedule a free consultation and get the help you need from our certified brain coach!

The Best Way to Teach Reading

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 01:38:02 GMT

Are you and your child struggling with learning to read?

The controversy roars on with little attention given to anything except technique. This contracted view of reading has resulted in millions of people being unduly diagnosed with dyslexia and other reading and language delays. The brain is a magnificent creation that can change and inefficiencies can be overcome with the right kind of stimulation. Don’t settle for coping and compensating, learn to change the brain and reading won’t be such a struggle anymore.

5 Downloadable Resources for Homeschoolers

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 01:53:02 GMT

Are you looking for resources that you can download right now to help you in your homeschool experience?

Here at Brain Sprints (Little Giant Steps) we have programs and materials that are available for instant download so you can get the information and move forward with the education of your child. Take a look at these resources and then contact us for a free consultation so we can help you dig in and incorporate the Neurodevlopmental Approach for education.

Designed and created by Dr. Jan Bedell and the team at Brain Sprints, each of these downloadable resources is intended to equip and empower you in your unexpected homeschool journey.

NeuroDevopmentalist Seminar

Join Jan in a two-hour seminar that teaches you to test for and change developmental inefficiencies. All humans seem to have some.

This information-filled seminar gives you an understanding of The NeuroDevelopmental Approach for Life. The best possible development can be assured when you are equipped with the correct knowledge. Learn to test for visual and auditory short term memory and many more developmental skills. Anyone’s brain organization can be improved and learning challenges don't have to last a lifetime.

There is hope to release your child’s fullest potential. Most diagnoses of learning challenges come with specific lists of what to expect and what the future holds. Then, our children are labeled according to that diagnosis. Don't believe them! What the future holds is not something that can be predetermined or preset. What the future holds is based upon the various opportunities presented to the child or individual. Watch, listen and learn. You are the key to unlocking your child’s true potential.

Download here

Skip Count

Different voices and special effects add intensity for young listeners. Each track, created without music, assures information is stored for easy retrieval. Skip counting creates an ideal foundation for multiplication and division skills.

Contains skip counting by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12...20. Each number other than 5, 2 and 10 is counted to 12 times a number as that is what we have found is most needed.

Nothing in all creation can compare to the amazing capacity for adaptability of the human brain. Research into neural plasticity of the brain (the brain’s ability to change and adapt) has proven that every child can learn and function more efficiently when the brain is given proper stimulation with the appropriate frequency, intensity, and duration.

This download is intended for single family use only. This product is copyrighted and under punishment of law our downloadable products are not to be shared or copied for redistribution or re-sale.

Download Here

Visual Circle Math

Visual Circle Math meets a broad range of needs. It is designed to start a beginning mathematician out with a good foundation of math concepts or quickly accelerate those students that are struggling or bored with the current math curriculum. Visual Circle Math concepts range from Kindergarten level to the beginning of 5th grade (see video and chart for details).

The Visual Circle Math method:

Diminishes math fact errors with simple strategies
Allows the student to advance confidently in understanding math concepts
Enhances the student’s ability to remember math concepts in long term memory

Visual Circle Math will build a solid foundation of math concepts that will last a lifetime. Since the emphasis is math computation concepts only, supplementation of time, temperature, measurement and geometry concepts are needed.

Download here

NeuroDevelopmental Mini Programs

To help you prepare your young ones for formal academics, we have Early Foundations NeuroDevelopmental Mini-Programs. In these programs, the school year is divided into three parts. Part 1 is to be done for approximately three months, then you can order Part 2, followed three months later by Part 3 to complete your school year. Changes in the program every three months insure that the brain is continually stimulated in the core areas and doesn’t “turn off” the stimulation because of familiarity.

The full Early Foundations program addresses six areas of development (tactile, auditory, visual, manual, language, and mobility) that are needed to do well in school and life. Each mini-program includes activities that address directly or indirectly these six key developmental areas.

Brain boosting activities in each part of the mini-program will take less than an hour to accomplish each day. Plus, the small segments of time (1-5 minutes for each activity) can be integrated throughout the day as part of your lifestyle instead of a sit-down concentrated hour of time.

Download here

brain-sprints

Make Math Easier with Rapid Recall System

Making Math Easier with the Rapid Recall System

Why Math Feels So Hard

The Power of Rapid Recall

How It Helps Your Child

Small Changes, Big Results

Encouragement for Parents

Strengthen Brain Function for College Success

Struggling with the ACT?

Adoption Isn’t Love Enough: How Trauma Impacts the Brain of Adopted Children

Understanding adoption trauma, attachment struggles, and neurodevelopmental solutions for healing and trust

Why Reading Is Hard for Some Children:

Dyslexia Through a Neurodevelopmental Lens

Auditory Processing- Tackle the Root Cause

Understanding Auditory Processing

The Best-Kept Secret in Education

What Is Auditory Processing?

How Low Auditory Processing Affects a Child

Real Results Happen Fast

Give Your Child the Gift of Strong Auditory Processing

Unlocking Potential

The Benefits of In-Home Brain Training

The Real Crisis in Education:

It’s How We’re Approaching the Brain

by Dr. Jan Bedell

Helping Your Child Become a Better Speller

The Hidden Foundations Parents Overlook

The Cornerstone of Math

Make Math Easier

A Fresh Start—The Brain-Friendly Way

A Fresh Start—The Brain-Friendly Way

Understanding Sensory Hypersensitivity in Children

When Everyday Life Feels Like a Migraine: Understanding Sensory Hypersensitivity in Children with Learning Difficulties

Math Doesn’t Have to Be a Struggle

Gain Math Facts Mastery in Minutes

Improved Learning Abilities Are Available

LEARNING MADE EASIER

Tummy Time

To Label or Not To Label? That is the question.

Innovative Math Program for Struggling Students

School Reboot Podcast

The Absent-Minded Professor At Home

STOP Overacting It's Not That Loud

Make Reading Easier

Visual Processing - What is it and isn't

You Knew It Yesterday - What Happened on the TEST?

Struggling Learners Have School Success?

Make Math Easier

Neuroplasticity – Rewiring The Brain

Homeschooling 101 Special Needs

The Gifted Learner Pt. 2 - Engaging Einstein

The Gifted Learner Pt.1- Engaging Einstein

TEACHING READING - CHALLENGES DEFINED

Part 1 - Make a Positive Learning Environment

Make A Positive Learning Environment

Autistic Solutions

An Adoption, Is Love All It Takes?

Spelling Essentials For School & Life

Hold Your Pencil Right

Syndrome or Brain Injury Help from NeuroDevelopment Approach For Life

HEALING FROM TRAUMA

How Ear Infections Cause Learning Delays

Siblings and Special Needs

Prayers Answered

911- Homeschooling Special Needs

Strategic Start to School

Special Needs - Navigating Homeschool

Brain Coach Tips, Change Lives & Learning

Let's Fix The Learning Problem

God's Special Gift ~ Neuroplasticity

Brain Coach Tips, Change Lives & Learning

Great Preschool Essentials

Kindergarten Skills For Academics

Math Cornerstones

Math Can Be A Problem Without A Foundation ﻿

Reading Struggles

How Many Parents Are Dealing With Children With Reading Difficulties?

Attention Deficit Disorder

I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE

Math Can Be A Problem Without A Foundation