S.M.A.R.T.

S.M.A.R.T. (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training) is based on the principle that movement anchors learning. In a world dominated by television, computers, and video games, children are spending more time sitting indoors, and staring at video screens than ever before.  At the same time, more children are being diagnosed with learning disorders and developmental delays.

Studies continue to show that children who are physically active in their early years have a significantly greater chance of achieving success in school.  This is because movement provides multi-sensory stimulation, which exercises and stimulates the brain and prepares it for learning and reading in a way that traditional classroom instruction alone does not.  Many students who struggle with reading have difficulties with comprehension.  The reason is, their brain cortex, which controls conscious motor activity and higher levels of functioning (such as comprehension), is working overtime to carry out responsibilities that the brain stem, which regulates unconscious motor activity (such as eye movement), has not been trained to handle.  The brain stem must receive stimulation in order to properly manage these crucial tasks (see image below).

In order for the cortex to process, absorb, and comprehend material, the brain stem must be able to perform its own tasks, such as move the eyes from left to right across a page, adjust visual focus between the desk and board, and sound out letters to form words.  This is a common issue with reading that often goes undiagnosed in children from all backgrounds.  Professional therapists and educators specifically designed S.M.A.R.T. activities to train the brain stem and correct this problem.

In addition to developing visual and auditory skills for reading, S.M.A.R.T. activities also enhance body awareness, eye-hand coordination, fine motor abilities, and integrate primitive reflexes.  Students who do not possess these readiness skills often have difficulty sitting still and paying attention in class.  They get distracted easily and as a result, struggle with academics or behavior.  S.M.A.R.T. is designed to get these students back on track with readiness skills and be reading at grade level by third grade (when the focus shifts from learning to read to reading to learn).  The program transforms the classroom into a playful atmosphere, helps children stay healthy, and allows them to reach their full potential.

S.M.A.R.T. Facts

• 3,000+ teachers nationwide have been trained
• 60,000 children have benefited from S.M.A.R.T.
• 110 Minnesota schools, and 153 national schools (across 12 other states), are Designated Learning Sites—meaning they have at least 4 trained teachers

The following information was taken from a 2005 evaluation of S.M.A.R.T.

SMART Kindergarten: When measuring 412 Minnesota Kindergartners from 18 classrooms on the Metropolitan Readiness Test 6, Level 2 (MRT), two of every three SMART Kindergarten students scored above the national mean for reading readiness.  Scores from the Pre-Reading Composite reveal that:

• Only 9% of the students scored in the lowest quartile in reading readiness, versus the expected 25%
• 72% scored above the national mean, versus the expected 50%
• 91% scored in the average range or superior 
• 31% scored at the superior level

SMART 1st Grade:  When measuring 403 SMART 1st graders from 21 classrooms using the word recognition Slosson Oral Reading Test –R3, SMART students scored at the 2.5 reading grade level versus the expected grade level of 2.0 of at the end of 1st grade.

SMART 2nd Grade:  When measuring 271 SMART 2nd graders from17 classrooms using the word recognition Slosson Oral Reading Test –R3, SMART students scored at the 3.8 reading level versus the expected grade level of 3.0 at the end of 2nd grade.

> S.M.A.R.T. Workshop Schedule
> How to Fine Tune the Core Activities


H.S.A.S.

H.S.A.S. (Hemisphere Specific Auditory Stimulation) is offered to children who have difficulty perceiving, processing, and retaining speech sounds.  H.S.A.S.
enhances auditory skills simply through the use of a headset and an individually formatted CD, which is listened to for ten minutes each day.

> H.S.A.S. Workshop Schedule
> Click here for more information about H.S.A.S.

Neurotechnology

Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE) and Electro Encephalographic (EEG) Neurofeedback are technologies that help children with academic, emotional, and behavioral issues.  These two forms of Neurotechnology allow children to relax and learn to focus by training their brain to work more efficiently at certain brainwave frequencies.

> Neurotechnology Workshop Schedule
> Click here for more information about Neurotechnology