When our Brain Advancement Coaches are working with a student that gets into the frustration zone, they know that it is time to back off. The task is too hard. When the student shuts down, no learning is happening.

 

So, the first thing to do, when helping someone who really hates math, is to start with tasks that are easy enough.

 

I know, I know. You are saying that even simple math causes anxiety, and the child or adult is required to do higher level math. What I am telling you is that the higher level math is too difficult, and without intense brain training intervention, higher level math may never be possible. You are asking too much!!

 

Let's think of a non-math example. Consider a young girl who is afraid of swimming. You decide that by now, she should be able to do the crawl because her siblings, her friends, her classmates or whoever can do the crawl. So you throw her in the deep end.

 

Do you think she will enjoy the water after this? She may develop a deep anxiety and aversion to swimming. And this might last her entire life.

 

Now - what if your brain was never set up to understand math. Numbers are not tangible, and you don't really get it. However, you can memorize the facts (or not) and get to the answers by following rules. More difficult is learning how to do word problems or applying math to real life situations. But, you are thrown into the deep end when you have to explain how you got your answers, or show your work, or learn math beyond your capacity to learn. You become anxious.

 

 

You question may be, what is the root cause of this inability to do math? Well, since the student never could do math in the first place, the ability to learn math was never developed. If it was never developed, it is a developmental issue. The majority of brain development happens in the first year of life, including the ability to understand numbers.

 

I have seen again and again, through my students and emails I have received, that while integrating the Moro Reflex, the children suddenly improve in math. Also, their logic and reasoning scores soar - these skills are necessary for deducing and understanding math.

 

 

I am an elementary school teacher who is working with a student to integrate his moro reflex.  Since we started, his ability to express himself clearly in a coherent way has increased as has his math ability. 

 

Finally, since a retained Moro Reflex is also related to anxiety, the students feel so much better about math! Since the integration exercise is only a minute, why not give it a try? Be sure that the exercise is done at least 5 days a week for at least 30 days. Don't fret if the student can't do it perfectly the first time. Just start with what the student CAN do and progress as much as possible. You can watch a video about it here: https://youtu.be/fQ4K9sw7by8

 

The Maintaining Brains Everyday DVD or download includes not only the Moro Reflex but also 5 other reflexes: Palmar, Tonic Labyrinthine, Spinal Galant, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck and the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflexes. There are 3 vestibular/balance exercises and a midline crossing and core strength exercise.

 

This month it is included for free as a holiday gift if you purchase the Primitive Reflexes: Foundations for Learning Course, with on DVD or download.

 

It is also part of our Brain Advancement Team training, which is $50 off if you sign up for the February 1 class before the end of the month.

Next week I will be writing about other considerations when working with students who are poor at math. Meanwhile, Happy Holidays!!