Executive function is usually framed as a top-down capacity governed by the prefrontal cortex. Yet some of its most effective levers sit in the body: rhythm, balance, sequencing, and coordinated movement.
There is another paradox. Self-regulation cannot simply be demanded of a child. It grows from co-regulation and from children understanding how their own brains work.
This training translates research on the brain-body connection into concrete activities for clinic, classroom, and home. Pediatric psychologist Dr. Lynne Kenney draws on more than 25 years of cognitive-motor program development.
The approach invites children to become "Cognitive Scientists" who coach their own attention, memory, and planning. Explicit "Brain Lessons" are paired with over 20 developmentally progressive cognitive-motor exercises.
You will explore how sensory-motor foundations support attention, language, and academic learning. Multi-domain case profiles show how language, cognitive, and motor data interact in a single child.
Over the course of the training, you will learn to:
- Deepen your grasp of cognition-movement connections
- Implement rhythmic activities that alert and organize attention
- Strengthen self-regulation through co-regulation and calming movement
- Apply Brain Lessons for metacognition and working memory
The content rests on research showing that executive function often predicts reading and math achievement better than IQ. Studies linking fitness, cognitive control, and academic performance anchor each recommended practice.
The strategies are brief, adaptable, and ready for immediate use. Movement breaks, thinking language, and front-loading fit naturally within existing sessions.
You will leave with child-friendly metaphors that make abstract skills tangible, such as the Attention Engine and the Gas Pedal. Each activity also transfers easily to families, extending gains well beyond the clinical hour.
