Rolling into Reading Benefits Local Kids
From the Oroville Mercury Register, January 15, 2008
In an effort to help children who would otherwise be prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, Oroville Gymnastics Owner and Kindergym Director, Marcia Carter, has created a program called Rolling into Reading (RIR). She developed this program along side reading specialist and Author of "S'cool Moves," Debra Wilson. The Rolling into Reading program combines gymnastics with sensory processing skills which is proven to help with ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder and developmental delays. According to Carter children who missed tummy time and crawling and have had problems with prolonged ear infections, are more susceptible to ADD or ADHD and sensory dysfunctions. During the Rolling into Reading class children do large motor gymnastics skills and small motor sensory processing skills and when combined these skills help both sides of the brain work together. The goal is to develop a confident child who is more likely to enjoy greater success in school. Each month a new lesson is introduced and a worksheet is sent home which includes an update on the child's progress and tips to work on at home. "Rolling into Reading builds the foundation for self regulation and brain integration," said Marcia. "The wiring is there for children, it's just that for some, it's not connected." Over the last couple years RIR has helped several children locally including Elliot Lasell, who is 7 years old and would be in second grade this year.
Elliot was diagnosed last spring with Amblyopia, more commonly known as Lazy Eye. His eye condition caused temporary blindness in his left eye. He also has gross motor and fine motor delays as well as auditory processing issues. According to Elliot's mother, Jennifer, the benefits of RIR have been incredible. Before Jennifer discovered RIR she had to travel to the Sacramento area every week to take Elliot to see a Visual Therapist which was costly. Since Elliot was enrolled in RIR in September of last year, the financial savings have been substantial and there have been noticeable changes in Elliot's school performance. "He has changed dramatically from a child who resisted any kind of desk work, refusing to read or write, and showed a poor attention span. Elliot is now a child that can easily sit and do school work and happily learns to read and write," said Jennifer. "This is huge." In October, Elliot's eye site in his left eye had improved to 20/40 vision, which is a significant improvement from the 20/60 vision he had in August. In addition Elliot's left eye has "woken up" and both eyes are seeing together for the first time. "He has depth perception, a skill that requires the functioning of both eyes working together. Our local Optometrist has even acknowledged that Elliot's progress has exceeded his expectations and that RIR is making a difference," Jennifer said. Marica is currently working with several children in her RIR program weekly and is excited about the progress the children are making. "Rolling into Reading is based on the belief that the body learns 10 times faster than the brain so in order to change the brain you need to change the body," said Marcia. "Our goal here, not only with Rolling into Reading, but all of our programs at the academy, is to help children develop the brain connection necessary to succeed in school and life."
Oroville Gymnastics Participates in Emergency Week Demonstrations
From the Oroville Mercury Register, June 8, 2007
Oroville Fire Department Engineer Rob Buckhout, left, and Firefighter Andy Oberg demonstrate fire fighting equipment for Oroville Gymnastics Sports Academy pre-kindergartners, recently. The local fire personnel were at the academy educating the children on the importance of fire safety. The event was part of OGSA Emergency Week in which students learn how to deal with an emergency at home. In addition to Emergency Week, OGSA Pre-K kids also participated in a Trike-A-Thon which raised money for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
An Outstanding Educational Facility
From the Oroville Mercury Register, November 6, 2006
Tokay High School Childcare Academy students, Guadalupe Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Lagarda feather paint with Oroville Gymnastics Learning Center students Melinda Clagget, and Nicole David, Wednesday. Nearly 50 Childcare Academy students traveled from Lodi to visit OGA because of its unique education philosophy and technique. "The Oroville Gymnastics Academy is the most outstanding facility for education for all age levels," said Childcare Academy Instuctor, Rebecca Charles. "They are different than any other school in our area." OGA has toddler, preschool, grade school and afterschool programs which incorporate the groundbreaking philosophy of education through physical activity.
Leading Neurophysiologist and author of Smart Moves
From the Oroville Mercury Register, October 18, 2006
Carla Hannaford, Ph.D., left, talks with Alexis Liese and Oroville Gymnastics owner Marcia Carter talks with Athena Hudson, during Hannaford's recent visit to the local learning academy. Hannaford is an educator, neurophysiologist and the author of 'Smart Moves: Why Learning is Not All in Your Head,' 'The Dominance Factor: How Knowing Your Dominance Ear, Eye, Brain, Hand & Foot Can Improve Your Learning,' and 'Awakening the Child Heart: Handbook for Global Parenting.' She was in town for a three-day workshop called "Vision Circles," which was attended by educators, family counselors and occupational therapists. Vision Circles focuses on creating a roadmap for completing developmental skills, keys to enhanced mind-body functioning, expansion of perceptual abilities and exploration of sensory modalities. According to Hannaford, the way to achieve these goals is by improving one's physical vision by activating the brain's vestibular system which is responsible for balance, sound and movement. Hannaford chose the Oroville Gymnastics Academy as the location for Vision Circles because of the gym's groundbreaking philosophy of enhancing education through physical movement.