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Vincent Smith School hosted a well-attended and informative Lecture Series on Brain-Based Learning: Research-Based Strategies to Improve Academic Achievement. The topic was presented by Paula Oleska, President of Natural Intelligence Systems. She has been a creator and practitioner of Experiential Neuroscience (EN) for more than 20 years. EN improves learning skills such as concentration, memory, reading speed, comprehension, stress management and others.
The basic premise is that the brain relies on movement for optimal functioning. The majority of brain function is for movement, not thinking. Growing up, many of us were told to sit still while in class. Ms. Oleska’s proprietary seminars stress the importance of movement to access more of our brains. Movement helps us to actively engage both hemispheres. We are all predominantly right brain (feeling) as we grow, but the left brain (thinking) becomes more active around the age of eight.
During the Lecture Series, participants were up and out of their seats actively engaged in movement exercises that helped them access and connect both sides of the brain. By participating in the exercises, attendees noticed that the body doesn’t always do what the brain wants it to do.
Last year, Vincent Smith School staff participated in a Brain Based Learning Workshop conducted by Ms. Oleska during staff development day. Ms. Oleska’s work is an extension of Brain Gym, which is based upon two major concepts. The first is that movement is the door to learning. Secondly, there are no learning disabilities, only learning blocks. Ms. Oleska feels that by managing the energy in our brains, we are more likely to allow learning to occur. Teachers have found several of the strategies useful.
 Caption: Lecture Series participants were up and out of their seats actively engaged in movement exercises that helped them access and connect both sides of the brain.
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