Creative Tutors of Wake County, North Carolina
Category: Health and Nutrition
Feb 13 | Exercise Keeps the Brain Fit
An interesting article by the US News and World Report reports on a study which will appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The hippocampus, which is the memory center in our brains, shrinks with age. Researchers are reporting that exercise affects key structures in the brain.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Join Kim as she presents "Developmental Age and Academic Success" at the Dayspring Homeeducators Parent Meeting on Jan. 24th, 7-9 pm at White Plains Church in Cary.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Jan 14 | Development and Academic Success
A child’s developmental level, not just the chronological age, is vital to learning success. Developmental maturity demonstrates that the brain is able to take in sensory information and then process the information in the higher cortical areas of the brain. We are all meant to be born with certain primitive reflexes established. These primitive reflexes assist the mother and baby through the birth process. They then allow the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and to begin the process of training the body and the brain to work together. Typically, these reflexes are inhibited and replaced by more advanced postural reflexes sometime between 6 months - 3 years of age.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Jan 13 | Interactive Metronome Therapy
Interactive Metronome therapy is a neuro-motor therapy that assists people in reaching greater functional gains in a much shorter period of time than traditional therapies. An IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented process that challenges the child to synchronize a range of hand and foot exercises to a precise, computer-generated reference tone which is usually heard through headphones. The child attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Irlen Syndrome has also been known as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. It is not a problem with the eyes. It is a a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information. Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas including academic performance, behavior, the ability to sit still, attention and concentration. Studies suggest that 46% of individuals identified with reading problems, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD an other learning difficulties suffer from Irlen Syndrome and can be helped by the Irlen Method. This syndrome is often just one more layer of the individuals problems, but the Irlen Method can be a part of the solution.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Dec 08 | Training the Visual System
Vision therapy is a subspecialty of optometry that strives to improve, enhance and/or develop visual performance through a prescribed treatment program that is designed to build new neural pathways. (Vision and Learning) As with any therapy, vision therapy takes time to correct a problem. Being consistent and committed to the program will help ensure success. If you have concerns about your child's vision or want to learn more about vision therapy, here is a good resource: Vison and Learning
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Dec 03 | Vision and Learning
"The visual system is a significant part of how we process information and a key factor in how we learn. 80% of what you perceive, comprehend and remember depends on the efficiency of the visual system." ( Vision and Learning )
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Nov 06 | Music, Music, Music
6,440,000. That's how many results you get when you do a Google search on "music and brain development." Certainly there's no shortage of information backing up the idea that our brains and music are as compatible as Adam and Eve or Romeo and Juliet. The fact is: our brains love music. Our brains thrive on music. Our brains physiologically change in response to music. In Dr. Oliver Sacks' book, Musicophilia, he states: "Anatomists would be hard put to identify the brain of a visual artist, a writer, or a mathematician - but they could recognize the brain of a professional musician without a moment's hesitation." Dr. Michael Thaut writes in his book, Rhythm, Music, and the Brain, "The brain that engages in music is changed by this engagement."
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Nov 01 | Ear Infections, Hearing and Learning
Developing the sense of hearing is also crucial to learning success. As a child grows, his brain learns to interpret sounds in the environment in order to attend to important information and to block out background noise.
Permalink |
Send feedback »
Oct 13 | Interesting and Fun Websites on Food
Kid World Food Safety
Food for Space Flight
Space Food and Nutrition Educators Guide
My Pyramid interactive on-line game for kids
My Pyramid for Kids classroom materials
Permalink |
Send feedback »
:: Next >>
Meet Kim Ashby | Owner
Kim Ashby earned a BS in Nursing from The Catholic University of America and, when she worked outside the home, was a Certified Emergency Nurse with a special interest in trauma nursing. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and three sons. The Ashbys have home schooled their children since 1999. They graduated their oldest son in May 2007. He is attending UNC Wilmington. Kim continues to home school her younger boys. Her oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in the public school system in the second grade. Her second son has cerebral palsy which has resulted in multiple/global developmental delays. Her youngest son has undiagnosed, mild auditory processing issues.
Kim has co-instructed graduate level courses at UNC Chapel Hill for ST/OT students and Early Intervention students. She is the founder and President of the Board of Directors of GIFTSNC, Inc., a home schooling special needs support group. Kim has presented workshops at a variety of state home school conferences as well as local support group parent meetings and is often a guest speaker at homeschool conferences and is found on many guest speaker lists including Balancing the Sword. She is a Steering Committee member and former Treasurer for Dayspring Home Educators in Cary, NC. She served on the Board of Directors for the Family Support Network of Wake County. She holds a North Carolina Wildlife Permit for Small Mammal Rehabilitation and enjoys working with orphaned and injured wildlife.
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain