On Monday mornings sometimes brains need a little help to get started so here is a brain connecting exercise for fun and learning that helps with kindergarten readiness, too.
We have all heard that the brain has two halves. Although some research questions this idea, the left side is logic and language and the right being creative and visual. Optimal thinking is having both halves work together! One way to link the two halves is with an exercise that requires each hand to cross to the other side.
First, have your child give himself/herself a hug, by crossing arms more or less at the shoulders. Now, hands drop down with arms cross to the hips and then the knees. Standing back up, show your child to bend one arm up, with the elbow pointed down. The other hand reaches over and holds the bottom of the elbow. Switch arms and do it over a few times. This can be very challenging for young kids. Grown ups can also do this to boost thinking, (especially when they have to think of where they’ve put something).
This is a handy exercise for connecting the two sides of the brain and you can do it anywhere and anytime. Did you know that hands could help brains think better?
