Automatizing movement makes the brain more efficient

In the book, The Brain Advantage, Dr. Van Hecke describes how automatizing behavior makes the brain more efficient.  In IM, after working a task down to under 20 milliseconds, one seems to 'automatize' the movement, requiring much less mental effort. Sharp Brains authors discuss this book. Here's an excerpt.  "Neurologist Richard Restak summarized a UCLA study that compared individuals with high IQs to those with average IQs. Restak wrote, “The researchers started off with the seemingly reasonable idea that ‘smarter’ brains work harder, generate more energy, and consume more glucose. Like light bulbs, the brains of ‘bright’ people were expected to illuminate more intensely than those of ‘dimwits’ with a reduced wattage.” What they discovered instead was exactly the opposite. Higher IQ people had cooler, more subdued brain scans “while their less intellectually gifted counterparts lit up like miniature Christmas trees.” ….

Why would “smarter” brains work less hard? One strong bet is that when we are inexperienced—when we still have a lot to learn—we have to make a conscious effort to think about what we’re doing. But later, after we’ve become more adept, much of what initially took effort becomes automatic.

The good news is that functioning on autopilot allows us to expend less brain energy on the routine aspects of the work. Our expertise allows us to direct our energy elsewhere."

Dyslexia associated with auditory processing.

"The vast majority of school-aged children can focus on the voice of a teacher amid the cacophony of the typical classroom thanks to a brain that automatically focuses on relevant auditory information, according to new research from Northwestern University. But for children with developmental dyslexia, the teacher's voice may get lost in the background noise of banging lockers, whispering children, playground screams and scraping chairs, the researchers say." Read more here.  IM helps train the brain to process auditory information more accurately and efficiently.  Group mode IM often exercises the skill used to tune out irrelevant auditory information and focus on the relevant auditory information. You can measurably and visually see the difference as children/adults develop this skill in IM.

Malfuctioning clock gene associated with bipolar disorder !

Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers writing in the open access journalBMC Psychiatry found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder. Click here for entire article. 

IM Presentation from Dr. Kevin McGrew

This 3 year old presentation from Dr. McGrew was presented at an IM conference several years ago. It's Dr. McGrew's attempt to explain what he believes in happening in the brain during IM that results in so many varied gains, including physical, mental, social, emotional, and academic. If you want very in depth information, view this - it will take some time and is not for those who are seeking quick information!

Metronome: Whats happening under the hoodInteractive Metronome: Whats happening under the hood

View more presentations from iapsych.

Research from 1951 suspected children with dyslexia had a poorer sense of rhythm.

Read Dr. McGrew's recent post about reading/dyslexia and it's relationship to timing here.

Part of education must be to give every child a better brain.

In this PBS special, Brain Fitness for Kids, Dr. Michael Merzenich states, "Part of education must be to give every child a better brain, a stronger brain, to actually change their neurology positively so that they can take in more information.

The Science of Education

The Cerebrum magazine has an interesting article about Neuroeducation,. "Research shows that learning changes the brain. The brain is “plastic”—it makes new cellular connections and strengthens existing ones as we gain and integrate information and skills.

IM helps PDD patient focus.

This new case study about a child with PDD is posted on the national IM website.  For complete case study, click here. “Aiden” is an 11 year old boy diagnosed with Pervasive  Developmental Disorder (PDD), high functioning. He is friendly, bright and talkative but has difficulty staying focused and following instructions. While talking he will sometimes insert random comments irrelevant to the topic.

Matching Funds for Learning Quest Savings!

Not an IM post but good information to pass on. The state of Kansas will match dollar for dollar up to $600 of your contributions for your child's educational savings through the Learning Quest program  here - Kansas Investments Developing Scholars (KIDS). You have to be pretty tight on money (Family of 5 needs to make less than $51,000) but it's a great opportunity!

Lemonaid Hand Jive

We need to bring hand jives back alive for our children. These teach rhythm, all kinds of movement patterns, crossing midline, attention, reading others, and are great FUN! Great support for IM.  I particularly like this one I just ran across. 
Links to other versions In Spanish slowed down

Positive Negative IM Gains

On occasion, a student may start 'getting in trouble' at school post IM. Why is this? You would expect just the opposite. This usually has a lot to do with the child feeling more empowered, less willing to accept being bullied, or more confident, all positive mental gains.  But the children do not know how to behave more empowered, deal appropriately with bullies, or be assertive in a positive way. Therefore their behavior may be seen as aggressive, fighting for a new position in the class rank, standing up for themselves, but inappropriately so.  This is the time to re-teach assertiveness skills. These are positive negative responses to IM.