Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head [Paperback]

Carla Hannaford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

The body's role in thinking and learning is presented for the first time in a popular readable format, thoroughly supported by scientific research. Neurophysiologist and educator Carla Hannaford tells us why we must move, and shows us how to move to fully activate our l earning potential. Her remarkable insights will be of great and immediate value to learners of all ages, from the gifted to t he so called learning disabled.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carla Hannaford, Ph.D. is a biologist and award winning educator with more than thirty years of teaching experience. Since 1988, she has been an internationally recognized educational consultant presenting lectures and workshops to thirty countries. Her books are available in nine different languages. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: Great River Books; 1 edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915556278
• ISBN-13: 978-0915556274
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

156 of 160 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Adults as well as Children!, February 3, 2000

By 

Health Enhancement Enter (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head (Paperback)

First, a little bit about the author. Carla Hannaford is a Ph.D. neurophysiologist and educator who was a professor of biology for twenty years. She is an internationally recognized consultant on education and is recognized for oustanding teaching of science by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Smart Moves is not just for teachers or parents. It is for everyone! Anyone who has been labeled as hyperactive, with ADD, ADHD or dyslexia or anyone who wants to enhance

their mental functions or make the learning process easier can benefit immensely from this book.

Carla shows how Brain Gym, a system of physical movements and exercises to enhance brain functions, are based on scientifically established neurophysiological functions and how it can be used by both children and adults to both overcome learning difficulties and improve general brain functions related to learning, coordination, communication and physical performance.

I have had personal experience with Brain Gym, since my wife has been a Brain Gym instructor for over five years. I have seen how it has helped both adults and children to enhance their learning skills, overcome learning difficulties and in general improve their mental functions. I therefore highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in improving their mental performance! It is well written, insightful, practical, interesting and most beneficial.

128 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional, February 12, 2002

By 

jumpy1 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head (Paperback)

Books on education and/or how to overcome learning disabilities and hyper-active mental states are not hard to come by. But many do not provide proven, accessible no-cost methods for achieving immediate, verifiable results, such as one finds in this indispensable tome. There couldn't be an easier way to learn about and use the most innovative and useful concepts in education today, than reading this book. Through simple physical exercises (developed by Dr. Paul and Gail Dennison with a team of researchers), Ms. Hannaford, who is a neurophysiologist, proves that mental processes are accessed via physcial movements and can be significantly improved with little or no difficulty.

I originally began using these exercises for myself as a professional violinist, to improve concentration, relaxation in performance and just general handling of stress on stage. It was so helpful I showed it to my adult amateur students and they learned new music far more rapidly than would be normal for their level of skill. Over the past 13 years I have taught these exercises to actors, musicians, doctors, teachers, writers, etc. in New York and have gotten consistent results. The best part of it is, each exercise takes only a few minutes or for some, a few seconds. They don't cost any money (unless you want to take a class or see a specialist) and I can do them backstage or in the bathroom or anywhere, really. It's terrific. If you're interested in brain development in children, especially babies, I also recommend "How to Teach Your Baby to be Physically Superb" by Glenn Doman. Enjoy!

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bloomington Right-brainer, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head (Paperback)

Carla Hannaford's book is a revelation. In this easy to read book (I found it hard not to put down!) she explains that simple movements/exercises greatly enhance learning and our capacity to learn. Using these techniques has effected my practice sessions, performances (I'm a pianist) and the way I deal with stress.

As a result, I am more aware of the ways I internalize information and that full body and brain integration (left and right hemispheres)is KEY to unblocking hidden potential.

This is priceless information and it can be found in this book!