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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Figure 8 exercise


What is the Figure 8? 
It's the infinity sign (a.k.a. Infinity swing or Lazy 8) that therapists or teachers perform with their children as a brain exercise.  
This exercise helps kids to cross the midline, which means their left and right side of the brain actively communicate. It is known as a good exercise that integrates left and right side of the visual fields and improves balance and coordination skills.  It enhances children's reading skills as well.  
As you see it in the picture, you can simply follow the arrow: up and down, cross, back up and down, and repeat.  

How do you make it fun for your child? 

Use many colors! Follow the directions with the color dots, not only one time, but many times with different colors. First, make the dots with the right hand. Second, use the left hand. Third, hold the color dot with both hands and follow the directions of the Figure 8. 

After your child is done with the color dots, you can put up the colorful Figure 8 on the wall. Then have your child follow the Figure 8 with his/her finger in distance.  Make sure your child does not move his/her head too much while he/she trace the Figure 8 in distance.

*It doesn't have to be the color dots. You can use crayons, color pencils, and/or finger paints.

This is also Figure 8 exercise. A child walks on the Figure 8 track.  Directions are the same: up and down, cross in the middle, back up and down, and repeat.

As I mentioned in the last post, draw this Figure 8 with the outdoor chalks at your local park.

Enjoy time with your child~!

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