Brain Balance Centers

After a long summer of sleeping in and staying up late is over, it can be challenging for kids to go back into a normal sleep routine once school begins. Get your child ready for their back-to-school sleep schedule by implementing the below sleep recommendations before the school year starts! You know your child best, so adjust as needed.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, this is how much sleep a child needs each night:

🧠 Ages 3–5 years: 10–13 hours (including naps)
🧠 Ages 6–12 years: 9–12 hours
🧠Ages 13–18 years: 8–10 hours

Limiting screen time, providing a calm sleep environment, and getting enough exercise to help them fall asleep and relax, are all great habits to introduce to your child to stay energized through the day and ace the challenges and fun the school day brings. Check the blog for more: https://bit.ly/3DXzDEf

"We came to Brain Balance for help with outbursts and temper tantrums at school that typically ended with our child in the principal’s office or being sent home. He loves coming to program. After three months, he rarely, if ever has these behaviors anymore. It has not only helped at school but at home as well. We are so grateful to Brain Balance." Thank you so much, Theresa, for sharing your child's Brain Balance journey. ❤️

We are proud to announce that the Brain Balance® School Pilot Study received the Outstanding Paper Award 2023 for the category of Applied Educational Research from the Journal for the Study of Education and Development! The study analyzed student outcomes for the Brain Balance program conducted in a school setting.

The results of the study demonstrated marked improvements in attention, behavior, and sensory-motor development for students who completed the Brain Balance program. Shining new light on the efficacy of the Brain Balance Program’s effect on behavior in a school setting not only adds to a continually growing body of evidence for the program's effectiveness but also illustrates the potential for new community and school evidence-based partnerships to fill those gaps.

To find out more about the study, go to https://bit.ly/3Wp6zQ9!

Follow along this summer with our Brain-Engaging exercise series. Get the whole family involved to incorporate exercise into your child’s daily summer break routine.

A child’s frontal cortex can be activated during movement activities. Playtime and movement help the brain to make the neurotransmitter connections critical to brain development.

Today’s Brain-Engaging movement challenge: outdoor yoga! Take 15 minutes today to get outdoors, stretch, breathe deeply and engage your child’s brain.

Benefits of Yoga:
🧠 Helps build self-esteem through frequent practice
🧠 Promotes a sense of calm
🧠 A great chance to focus on deep breathing
🧠 Core muscle development
🧠 Upper body strength
🧠 Practice following instructions

Check back in for more ways to help your child engage their brain this summer!

Structure your child’s summer days to promote brain development with activities that help with cognition. Try these brain games from the Brain Balance team and incorporate them into your family’s weekly schedule!

🧠 Card games: There are now plenty of low-cost card games on the market that are specifically designed to promote cognition. From Mad Dragon (a therapeutic, anger-control game) to uKloo (a scavenger hunt card game that promotes greater focus, while enhancing reading skills), there are options for everyone.

🧠 Simon Says: Simon Says is a classic, and has long been recommended for children with ADHD. By helping your child focus on specific cognitive skills, all while encouraging body movement, they can improve their symptoms. Plus, it's fun for everyone!

🧠 Tabletop games: Chutes and Ladders is a classic, one that can help children adapt, as they learn to celebrate success and deal with possible failure. This is a positive way to help your child build a healthier frustration tolerance.

Trying out these brain-engaging games with the whole family is a great way to have wholesome quality time together during the hot, rainy summer days. Scroll to see how certain brain games can encourage kids’ brains to process information more rapidly and focus more intently! 🧠🙂 Check our blog here for more: https://bit.ly/3qKp15k

Follow along this summer with our Brain-Engaging exercise series. Get the whole family involved to incorporate exercise into your child’s daily summer routine.

A child’s frontal cortex can be activated during movement activities. Playtime and movement help the brain to make the neurotransmitter connections critical to brain development.

Today’s brain-engaging movement challenge: jump rope and trampoline! Take 15 minutes today to involve the whole family in these outdoor activities that boost brain development.

Benefits of jump rope and trampoline:
🧠 Gross motor skills practice
🧠 Activates coordination skills
🧠 Visual perception and processing skills practice
🧠 Increasing the heart rate and engaging muscles at the same time helps improve stress modulation

Check back in for more ways to help your child engage their brain this summer!

Whether it's splashing around in the pool, playing at the water table, or simply running through the sprinklers in the backyard, there's nothing quite like cooling down with fun water activities during family time. These moments create lasting memories with your child and children who struggle, specifically with attention issues or ADHD, can benefit greatly from the water play activities above. This can be achieved by concentrating on the task at hand and connecting the play to a productive outcome. To find more ways to stay cool this summer, check the link here: https://bit.ly/3ShrB0P

"Brain Balance has been what my son needs to build foundational skills and thrive in new ways that I couldn't identify myself as his mom. We have learned as a family about primitive reflexes and how it affects sensory processing. Each week we see new progress and my son is building confidence in himself. We are thrilled to be part of this program and excited to see his future growth!" Thank you so much, Bethany, for sharing your child's Brain Balance story! ❤️

As the weather heats up, one of the best things we can do for our mental health is to get outside.

Outdoor play is crucial for our brain’s healthy development. Researchers say that the frontal cortex, which is responsible for controlling emotions and problem solving, is activated during playtime. The experience of playing outside, activating the senses and completing motor movements forces the brain to make those neurotransmitter connections that are critical to a child's development. Imaginative play and child development go hand in hand.

Parents, this month, let’s aim for 30 minutes of outdoor family time per day to help make good choices for emotional well-being and better brain health. You got this. Check out the link here: https://bit.ly/4b1k5gU to get started!

"The staff here is so loving, kind, and nurturing, but most importantly, my son has shown really amazing improvement and that’s priceless. I could not be more pleased. We are 3 weeks away from completing the program and even though we are looking forward to graduating, we are going to miss everyone here and the routine we are now accustomed to. This has truly been a rewarding experience. Thank you Brain Balance!" Thank you so much, Ioana, for sharing your child's Brain Balance story! ❤️

Independence Day can be exciting for families, but for children with sensory processing disorders or related problems, it can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to prepare your child for the Fourth Of July festivities this year:

Limit Junk Food: Choose healthier options like fruits and veggies to avoid hyperactivity caused by sugary treats. Bring snacks from home that meet your child's dietary needs.

Set Expectations: Inform your child about the duration of events, and empower them with the choice to opt-out if they feel overwhelmed.

Pick and Choose Activities: Limit the day to a couple of favorite activities to reduce sensory exposure. Let your child have a say in selecting activities they're most comfortable with.

Wishing your family a joyful and safe Independence Day here at Brain Balance. For additional tips on managing sensory overload, check out our blog: https://bit.ly/3V5MZq9

"I am a 15 year old girl who struggles with anxiety and the atmosphere here is so welcoming. I have done this program before when I was 9 or 10 and I loved it then and I still love it now. The people are so nice and supportive and will be there if you need anything. I love this place and it helps me so much. My anxiety has lessened. If you need the help take it. They will help you." Thank you so much, Allie, for sharing your Brain Balance story! ❤️

The Brain Balance Program is purposefully designed to engage all regions of the brain and body to help individuals address the root cause of their challenges and move toward meaningful change that improves their well-being. At Brain Balance, we're changing the game. We've made it our mission to deliver drug-free programs to individuals of all ages across the country to optimize brain health and development!

Kids who are sensory sensitive may not be tolerant to the drastic temperature changes that accompany hot summer temps outside and cold air-conditioned air inside. When kids overheat, their physical discomfort translates almost immediately into emotional distress. To avoid dealing with sensory meltdowns this summer, read out the proactive steps above. For more fun activities to try to beat the summer heat, check out our link: https://bit.ly/4e5lHZA

What’s the link between primitive reflexes and dyslexia?

Primitive reflexes are involuntary physical reactions that originate in the central nervous system and are exhibited by babies. Primitive reflexes typically disappear within the first year of life. Half of the kids who retain ATNR show signs of dyslexia or have a diagnosis of dyslexia.

Dyslexia is categorized as a language-based learning disability that includes poor word reading, word decoding, oral reading fluency, and spelling. Children who retain one or more primitive reflexes often have underlying developmental delays including reading difficulties.

To learn more about the connection between retained primitive reflexes and dyslexia, read more in the link here: https://bit.ly/4btABqW

What does progress mean to you?

Each individual who enrolls in the Brain Balance Program is unique, and progress comes in many different forms. Tolerating socks, trying new foods, completing a math homework assignment independently, or focusing on a project at work are all examples of the small breakthroughs we see every day at Brain Balance.

💖 Share your thoughts on what "progress not perfection" means to your family. How do you embrace and encourage growth in your kids and yourself? Comment below and let's inspire each other! ✨