Alternative for those interested in Diane Craft's Brain Integration exercises...

[WendyW]

We have used Diane Craft's materials off and on over the years. I think she has a lot to offer, and particularly think the writing 8's have been a big help here. I have never used her flash cards and such, and believe she is right with all her vitamin stuff.

That said, we have also used her Brain Integration exercises, and though I DO believe they fill a need, MY kids HATED them! It was a major struggle to get them to do them every day. I went on a search for alternatives, and found Balametrics (http://www.balametrics.com/index.htm).

I ordered the Learning Breakthrough Activity Handbook, and made all the equipment (which is a pretty pricey package to buy- I spent about $20 on materials). My kids and I have been doing the exercises for 2 weeks now, and they LOVE them. There is a lot of variety, and they are much more like skill games than exercises. We have a small empty room in the basement which we have dedicated to our equipment, but a dedicated space is not required. I just knew ME well enough to know that it would be the best way for us to keep doing it.

Most of the exercises are done standing on the balance board. They include things like throwing beanbags at targets, hitting a hanging ball with a stick and making it follow the desired path, bouncing a ball off a target board. There are many variations of each, and lots of other stuff, too. I have yet to even finish reading the entire book, so I know these will keep us busy for a long while.

[Greta]

Thanks for posting. This looks very interesting. Did you have instructions for making the materials? Did you make balance boards?

[WendyW]

I did not have instructions to follow. I found measurements for some of the items in their web-site descriptions, others in the book (as part of the writing- not specifically given in one place). There is a video on you-tube explaining the balance board where I got a good look at its construction. Dh helped me make that. For many of the objects in reading the book i realized that the exact measurements were not very critical. Its the fact that they are symmetrical and variable that matters.

I made:
balance board
bounce-back board
striped stick
targets and holder
beanbags

I bought blue rubber "raquetballs" for the bouncy balls and used one of them to make the hanging ball.

I could write out instructions for any of these if you like.

[carriejoy]

thanks Wendy

I'm going to look into this. I've been intrigued by DC but haven't invested the time and $$ yet. My son needs some help for sure and I suspect my daughter may too.

[Kristy]

Hi Wendy!

Thank you so much for this post! You are absolutely right about the package being "pricey." I am going to order the activity book, too and see if we can't make the 'equipment.'

I would greatly appreciate the instructions for how you made the balance board & bounce-back board in particular. I would also love to hear an update on how the activities are going with your children.

Thank you so much!!

[WendyW]

First, as a "disclaimer", my boys' issues are much milder than many people deal with. Both were very late readers with a lot of beginning struggles. Now both are reading well above grade level, but writing and spelling skills still are far behind, especially for my ds1. I've not expected, or seen, any huge leaps of ability. I'm just hoping for ds1 to edge closer to average abilities, and ds2 to have less trouble than his brother.

Second, when I did the research that led me to the Balametrics, I also found Bal-A-Vis-X (http://bal-a-vis-x.com/index.htm) From what I could tell on the websites, the Balametrics was more appropriate for at-home, and the Bal-A-Vis-X was geared toward a larger group. So, I ordered the Balametrics book, and requested the Bal-A-Vis-X through ILL. I just received it last week. (From a library in MAINE- that's a long way for a library book to travel!)

The Bal-A-Vis-X is one teacher's method that combines various aspects of Balametrics, Brain Gym (which also is a large part of Diane Craft), and exercises of his own inventions. It IS geared toward a group, but not necessarily a large group. If you have several kids to work with, it would be a much more time-effective way to go, but if only working with one child, I think the Balametrics would be better. Bal-A-Vis-X strives for everyone working in rhythm, which you simply can't do with only one child. He says the rhythm activates the auditory channels of the brain, which is a large component of learning difficulties. (The Balametrics DOES have some exercises requiring the use of a metronome for rhythm, but personally, I have never had much luck keeping myself in rhythm with one.)

The Balametrics requires the equipment, a pretty good investment of either time or money.

Bal-A-Vis-X requires the balance board used in Balametrics, and a collection of beanbags and balls, no other equipment.

My boys have enjoyed doing the Balametrics activities. They are very much like skill games, and a lot of fun. They have pushed me every morning to go do them. The format requires me to work with each boy separately, while the other either watches or does something else. Having the other boy available to retrieve escaped balls or beanbags is helpful.

With the Bal-A-Vis-X, they work together, or all three of us do it as a 3-way exchange. The beginning exercises are individual, but the more skilled ones require partners. They are first learned OFF the balance board, then done while on the board. You can use just one board, and have them alternate days on it.

I'll write up instructions for making the Balametrics equipment in a Word file, and whoever wants them can post or e-mail me and I will send them the file. I did the majority of the work myself, but needed dh's more advanced woodworking skills for the balance board rockers.

[Kristy]

Thanks for the update Wendy and yes, I would like the file when you are able to write the instructions up.

Excited that the addition of balametrics will help dear little daughter!

[WendyW]

Kristy, I don't know how to attach a file to e-mail through the Boards. Please e-mail me, then I will have your address to send the file back. (Click on my name on this post and it will give you the option to send an e-mail)

Anyone else who is interested, please e-mail me directly instead of just posting.

[shonda in ca]

Very cool, Wendy! :thumb:
I know a few people through my Brain Gym classes that do Bal-A-Vis-X. I've been wanting to check it out. Thanks for the info on Balametrics!