A Chance To Grow - Brain-Centered Therapy Services

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Honorary Spaces
    • Annual Report
    • Contact
    • Bob's Legacy Fund
  • Programs & Services
    • Clinical Services >
      • Client Forms
      • Vision Services >
        • Vision Clinic
        • OptomEYES Vision Therapy
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Speech Therapy
      • Neuro Integrative Clinic >
        • Treatment Models
        • NI Clinic Pricing
      • Audiology Services >
        • Auditory Processing
        • Workshops
        • Auditory Interventions >
          • JIAS
          • CAPDOTS
          • Acoustic Pioneer
      • Insurance Payers
      • Teletherapy Services
    • Brain Training >
      • Neurofeedback >
        • Neurofeedback Rentals
        • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
        • Brain Spa
      • Audio-Visual Entrainment >
        • Advanced-Brain Wellness Program
        • AVE Store
      • Brain-Training Workshop Series
    • Home-Based / PCA's >
      • Get Started / Qualify
      • Waiver Services
      • Intake Form
      • Become a PCA
    • MLRC / S.M.A.R.T. >
      • S.M.A.R.T. Program >
        • How S.M.A.R.T. Works
        • S.M.A.R.T. at My School
        • S.M.A.R.T. Mentoring
        • S.M.A.R.T. Steps
        • Research & Resources
      • Workshops >
        • S.M.A.R.T. Elementary
        • S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K
        • Bridging The Gap
        • Auditory Processing Workshops
        • Hosting a Workshop
        • Registration Policy
      • S.M.A.R.T. Supplies >
        • Downloads
    • School Services >
      • Third-Party Billing
      • Vision & Hearing Screenings
    • Turnquist Childcare >
      • Curriculum & Assessment
      • Teen Parent Program
      • Enrollment Forms
    • Summer Programs >
      • Neuro Integrative Intensives
      • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
  • Parents
    • Helpful Resources
    • Testimonials
    • Share Your Story
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Race for the Children
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • News & Media
    • Growing Times
    • S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter
    • Success Stories
    • Photo Release
  • Donate
    • Garden of Hope
  • Store
    • Shipping & Returns
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Honorary Spaces
    • Annual Report
    • Contact
    • Bob's Legacy Fund
  • Programs & Services
    • Clinical Services >
      • Client Forms
      • Vision Services >
        • Vision Clinic
        • OptomEYES Vision Therapy
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Speech Therapy
      • Neuro Integrative Clinic >
        • Treatment Models
        • NI Clinic Pricing
      • Audiology Services >
        • Auditory Processing
        • Workshops
        • Auditory Interventions >
          • JIAS
          • CAPDOTS
          • Acoustic Pioneer
      • Insurance Payers
      • Teletherapy Services
    • Brain Training >
      • Neurofeedback >
        • Neurofeedback Rentals
        • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
        • Brain Spa
      • Audio-Visual Entrainment >
        • Advanced-Brain Wellness Program
        • AVE Store
      • Brain-Training Workshop Series
    • Home-Based / PCA's >
      • Get Started / Qualify
      • Waiver Services
      • Intake Form
      • Become a PCA
    • MLRC / S.M.A.R.T. >
      • S.M.A.R.T. Program >
        • How S.M.A.R.T. Works
        • S.M.A.R.T. at My School
        • S.M.A.R.T. Mentoring
        • S.M.A.R.T. Steps
        • Research & Resources
      • Workshops >
        • S.M.A.R.T. Elementary
        • S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K
        • Bridging The Gap
        • Auditory Processing Workshops
        • Hosting a Workshop
        • Registration Policy
      • S.M.A.R.T. Supplies >
        • Downloads
    • School Services >
      • Third-Party Billing
      • Vision & Hearing Screenings
    • Turnquist Childcare >
      • Curriculum & Assessment
      • Teen Parent Program
      • Enrollment Forms
    • Summer Programs >
      • Neuro Integrative Intensives
      • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
  • Parents
    • Helpful Resources
    • Testimonials
    • Share Your Story
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Race for the Children
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • News & Media
    • Growing Times
    • S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter
    • Success Stories
    • Photo Release
  • Donate
    • Garden of Hope
  • Store
    • Shipping & Returns

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - DEC. '19 S.M.A.R.T. Spaces

11/14/2019

0 Comments

 
​Frosty the Snowman has a very important holiday message for you; Crawling and Creeping are the language of the brainstem! Wait, what? It’s true! That’s why it is so important to keep Crawling and Creeping in your S.M.A.R.T. course all year long! ​
When children are Alligator Crawling they are developing:
  • The proprioceptive system – understanding of where each body part is located, without having to move it!
  • Bilateral coordination for controlled, organized movement – writing, drawing, cutting
  • Hand supination for fine motor control
  • Eye movements critical for reading
  • Midline development for reading, writing, cutting, self cares, etc!​
Picture
When children are creeping on a Slap/Creep Track they are developing:
  • Eye movements critical for reading – especially for fluency
  • Eye teaming also critical for reading
  • Bilateral coordination for controlled, organized movement – writing, drawing, cutting
  • Depth perception for accuracy in judging distances​
Picture
Remember to change up your Slap/Creep Track by switching your cards every 2 weeks. Frosty has one more message for you; Click here to download a free set of December Slap/Creep Track cards!

​Need some help remembering which activities to include in your S.M.A.R.T. course every day? Check out the S.M.A.R.T. course recipe in our 
September newsletter.
References:
Alligator Crawl
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 47-49
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 66-68
Slap/Creep Track
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 50-51
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 69-71


Download:
December Slap/Creep Track Cards (PDF)
0 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - DEC. '19 S.M.A.R.T. AT HOME

11/14/2019

0 Comments

 
Cooped up kids acting crazy? Check out this 1 minute video and find FREE ways for your kids to expel some of that energy and secure yourself some sanity during Winter Break!

Get Active Inside (Video)

Video credit: https://handsonaswegrow.com/
Picture
0 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Nov. '19 S.M.A.R.T. AT HOME

11/11/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
3 Things S.M.A.R.T. Parents Need to Know
 
1. Frequency. Intensity. Duration. - It’s how the brain learns
Largely due to increased testing, children are not receiving enough “inputs” of information in school these days. Learning is based on repetition. Children need to be given more inputs (taught lessons) more frequently, intensely, and over a longer duration. Too often we test children by giving them an input once or twice and expecting that they have mastered it. Instead, children must receive more inputs and not be asked for the output until they have truly learned it and feel comfortable.

2. View Children Developmentally – We all develop at different rates
Parents (and teachers) must view children developmentally, not chronologically. A child who is 6 could be 4 developmentally speaking. Since every child matures differently, depending on his or her family, living environment, and genetic makeup, they must not be expected to progress at the same speed. Stimulation to the brain (especially through movement), has a tremendous impact on their ability to learn; they must not be rushed and it is important they experience some level of success early on.
 
3. Play Outside – It builds a better brain
In a world dominated by television, computers, and video games, children are spending more time sitting down, indoors, and staring at video screens than ever before. At the same time, more children are being diagnosed with learning challenges and developmental delays. Playing outside exposes kids to the natural elements, boosts their immune systems, enhances brain development, and greatly contributes to their overall health and well-being. Find a fun outdoor activity that makes your child happy!
2 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Nov. '19 That's One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher

11/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Jessica Kittleson, One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher and former MLRC Assistant Director, went back to the classroom and was relieved when she found the layouts for her S.M.A.R.T. room! Her advice is to draw a picture of how you lay out your room/course so you can revisit it later that same year or perhaps you wait until the next year. Either way, you’ll be so glad you did! Jessica’s layouts start out simple with only 4 CORE activities then as the year goes on, she adds in more activities. Jessica even advises keeping the layouts that don’t work, that way you won’t try them again!
Picture
0 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Nov. '19    Time Saving Tip

11/11/2019

0 Comments

 
We think fall is fabulous, and you will too when you download our ideas on how to include an Awesome Autumn theme in your S.M.A.R.T. Program.
 
Not to worry, themes don’t have to take over your entire course just adding a few of our ideas can create some fun an excitement for your students. Psst! Make sure to read the S.M.A.R.T. Spaces section to save even more time!
 
Download:
Awesome Autumn (PDF)
Picture
0 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Nov. '19 S.M.A.R.T. Spaces

11/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Let’s face it most early childhood and elementary teachers love decorating their classrooms. (Or are you in the pool of those who do not?) Either way, decorating can be time consuming and we know ALL educators are short on time. So then, how do we decorate to ensure our time is well spent and the decorations have a function?

​We like to use Tactile Trackers/Vision Trackers to put the FUN into “fun”ctional! Tactile Trackers/Vision Trackers mature eye movements and support the scanning skills critical for reading fluency. Knowing you’re short on time we have created these trackers for you.
Picture
  • Elementary teachers can print and hang
  • Early childhood teachers print, add glue dots, and then hang them up when the glue has dried
 
Be sure to read this month’s Time Saving Tip section for more FUNctional ideas!

Downloads:
Turkey (PDF)
Turkey with adding (PDF)
Leaves (PDF)

Squirrels (PDF)

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 64-65
​S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 148-149
0 Comments

    AuthorS

    Cheryl Smythe
    Director of Education Services at ACTG
    csmythe@actg.org

    Jessica Kittleson
    S.M.A.R.T. Mentor 

    Jessica.Kittleson@actg.org


      subscribe

    Subscribe

    Archives

    August 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    RSS Feed

Our Mission is to promote the maximum development of the whole child and adult through innovative, individualized and comprehensive brain-centered programs and services.
Location & Contact Information
1800 NE 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-1236 / actg@actg.org

Main Fax: (612) 706-5555
Fax for Home-Based Services: (612) 706-5509
Fax for Clinical Services: (612) 746-5144

Stay Informed
Sign-up for our newsletter and special offers!
Submit
Quick Links
Donate
Employment
​Store
Terms of Use
Nondiscrimination Policy
​Shipping & Returns
Privacy Policy
A Chance To Grow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts are tax-deductible. ACTG does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.
​© 2023 A Chance To Grow, All rights reserved.