|
Educators and Therapists
The Learning Breakthrough Program can significantly improve cognitive ability and student performance. The Learning Breakthrough In-School Program is a daily balance and sensory integration activity plan designed to improve the root processes behind learning. Better reading, writing, comprehension and attention ability result from proper and consistent program use. With so much emphasis now placed on testing, this powerful program will enhance your students� ability to produce higher scores.
The Learning Breakthrough Program was recently revised to be easy to use in a school setting. It is effective for almost anyone including the gifted, but who better to benefit than people with Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities and Attention Disorders.
Be sure to thoroughly read the entire website. Science is finally beginning to recognize that strengthening the processing part of the brain makes teaching more effective, resulting in better learning and higher test scores. The Learning Breakthrough Program is �brain weight-lifting�!
1. What is this program about? The Learning Breakthrough Program is a balance and sensory integration activity program designed to help better organize brain processing. Activities include throwing beanbags, tapping a hanging pendulum ball with a numbered, multi-colored bat, and tossing super balls at a bounce-back target, all while standing on a unique balance board. The students view a follow-along video on DVD or VHS that shows them exactly what to do and how to do it properly. The results of consistent and proper use can make skills- training and teaching more effective by strengthening basic foundational brain structures, so important to cognitive and literacy ability and performance. Improvements occur in reading, writing, comprehension and attention/focus ability. Improved ability to stay on task can have a positive impact on classroom dynamics.
2. How did the program develop? In the 1960�s, Dr. Frank Belgau, then Director of the Visual and Motor Control Lab at the University of Houston, began �experimenting� on children with high IQ�s who were having great difficulty reading. Influenced by groundbreaking NASA research, Dr. Belgau began using balance exercises and found that reading ability improved. He continued development activities and first published the program in 1982. Since then Dr. Belgau has trained Occupational Therapists, Developmental Optometrists, Speech Therapists, Audiologists, Teachers, and parents how to administer the program. In 2003, the program was revised to be easy to use in a school or home environment, eliminating the need for specific training. Dr. Belgau insists on keeping the program affordable, and our current in-school initiative will make the program�s benefits available to many people to whom it would otherwise not be accessible.
3. How is the program used? The simple activities take about 15 minutes to complete. For maximum benefit they should be performed twice each day. A teacher or OT can use the program one-on-one, but the most efficient way to implement it is in small groups. Some students will see remarkable improvements immediately; however a 9 to 12 month commitment is necessary for real and permanent change. The program is suitable for 2nd grade and above. Please carefully review the included �Learning Breakthrough Program Usage Chart� to obtain information regarding staff and space needed to properly implement the program.
4. How does a school implement the program? Not every school has the same space and staff resources. We provide an �In-School Implementation Manual� that covers the following areas in detail:
5. What does the program cost and how to order? Check out the �Program Usage Chart� below for pricing. You will find the cost per student to be incredibly small. The most important decision for a successful program is a serious commitment to provide staff, space and patience. Once your pupils experience improved test scores and better attention ability, expanding the program will be simple and inexpensive. The desired number of kits and an Implementation Manual will be shipped upon receipt of an authorized Purchase Order, which can be faxed to 561-624-7806 or sent to Learning Breakthrough LLC, 10 Sheldrake Lane, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418.
Click the below links to learn more about how The Learning Breakthrough Program may be of help with
A Message from:
Dr. Irvine Mason, M.D. Widespread use of the Learning Breakthrough Program will have a dramatic impact on the lives of many students. This non-medical therapy makes �hard-wiring� changes to the brain, similar to the effect of learning to ride a bicycle or playing the piano, except Learning Breakthrough activities involve a lot of cognitive processing. Taking one�s balance system (vestibular) to higher levels while stimulating visual, motor, tactual and auditory processing can bring surprisingly significant improvement to cognitive ability and performance. It is difficult for many people to understand how a physical exercise program can improve reading, writing and comprehension. My initial skepticism was replaced with excitement after a careful review of the program, research and reports of its successful use. I came to the conclusion that cognitive improvement can result from consistent use, and widespread access will have a significant impact on not only the children and families involved, but society as well.
Consistent daily use is required to achieve results. If all of your students were to use this program each day at home significant and substantial school-wide improvement would result. I encourage you to provide information about this program to the parents of all your students (copy the below section and send home with students). Some will make the commitment to use the program at home. Unfortunately, most parents will not or cannot make that commitment, so an organized in-school program has the potential to bring help to many students who will otherwise not be able to use it.
The Learning Breakthrough Program is not anti-drug. It is, however a drug-free alternative! I am aware of the benefits many people derive from proper medical intervention; however I am also of the opinion that there is widespread over- prescribing of stimulant drugs. This is an opportunity for improvement without the side effects of medication.
I encourage you to take a good hard look at using the Learning Breakthrough Program in your school or clinical setting. No doubt a commitment of resources is required, but the payoff in both human and administrative benefits will be well worth the effort.
I wish you and your students all the best.
Dr. Irvine Mason, M.D. Each hour of program use equals two, 30 minute sessions Choose the hours and the number of staff available. Pick a number of kits to use. How to read the above chart A schedule may look like the following for 60 students ** Cost includes one School Implementation Manual & delivery. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COPY THE FOLLOWING AND DISTRIBUTE TO PARENTS! ATTENTION PARENTS ! Daily In-Home Exercise Program Improves Reading, Writing, Comprehension & Attention Ability! How do these physical exercises improve learning? Performing Learning Breakthrough activities make changes to the brain that improve one�s ability to read, write and comprehend. The activities help the various processes so important to learning. In order to read well, your eyes must easily track across the page. Improved fine motor skills allow for better handwriting. Better brain organization is important to comprehension and memory. Proper and consistent use of the Learning Breakthrough Program helps with neuropathway development in the brain, which can bring about the improvements mentioned. Everyone benefits from improved brain processing, but who more than those with learning and attention difficulties, such as Dyslexia.
Can this program help with attention difficulties such as ADD/ADHD? People with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) have a slow brain reaction time. Doctors sometimes prescribe stimulant drugs such as Ritalin and Aderal to help speed up brain reaction time. Proper use of the Learning Breakthrough Program speeds up brain reaction time by putting demands on the balance system that can benefit those who have attention difficulties. If your child is taking medication, you should provide your doctor with information about this program before starting. Only make changes to medication use if directed by your physician. Your doctor may find this program to be an additional drug-free alternative to help make the drug therapy more effective, which could lead to earlier cessation.
Where can I get more information about the program and how much does it cost? The program costs $349 delivered (+ $19.74 for Florida residents) and can be securely ordered at www.Learningbreakthrough.com where you will find extensive information. It can also be ordered by calling 888-8LEARN2 (888-853-2762). The most important part of the program is the commitment to consistent daily use for a 9 to 12 month period. To read about others' success stories with The Learning Breakthrough Program, click here. To learn about how The Learning Breakthrough Program works, click here. Copyright © 2003-2004 by Learning Breakthrough, LLC
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This section of our website is intended for people interested in using the Learning Breakthrough Program in a group setting (more than one person at a time). The program information available throughout the website is applicable to group as well as one-on-one use.