Barefoot Brains

04/03/2025

Energy to work, rest and play 😊😊

20/02/2025

Kristi Sproates coming to Coffs Harbour in March!!

Head over to her profile to find out more 😊🙏

https://www.facebook.com/share/19BjfbLevX/

𝗔𝘁 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 — 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Working in tandem with other therapies, we provide developmental education that enhances your teen’s learning capacity and emotional well-being.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 (𝗗𝗘𝘀) 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. We have the capacity to work across disciplines, as long as we remain within our scope of expertise. For example, an NDIS goal may say: “I want to improve my fine/gross motor skills.” An Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physiotherapist (Physio) might create a therapy plan with exercises or drills that your teen will follow, either with their assistance or independently.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 (𝗗𝗘) 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹?

𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗘’𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲. One DE might focus primarily on behavioural concerns and may not take on the goal of motor skills improvement. However, another DE may thrive in this space, particularly when it comes to understanding the developmental learning stage and identifying any tension being held in the body. They would use movement-based learning activities to help advance these skills.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲. When someone is relaxed in their body, their brain is better able to process new information and movement patterns.

Once your teen feels ready and grounded, we can incorporate the OT or Physio plan and get moving. 𝗕𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 — be it motor skills development, emotional regulation, or cognitive improvement.

At Kristi Sproates, we believe that holistic help is available, and we’re here to support your teen in every way possible.

Learn more about our holistic support here:
𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗸𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

For a deeper dive into the whole-person approach, check out our blog:
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗸𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁/𝗵𝗼𝘄-𝗰𝗮𝗻-𝗮-𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻-𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵-𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽-𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

07/02/2025

We use Brain Gym® exercises to help integrate Primitive Reflexes to build a solid foundation for you and your little ones 🧠🧠

The best treatments start from the bottom and work their way up. This helps develop the foundation of the nervous system and brain 🧠 in the proper order.

Many traditional medical & educational treatments work from the top 🔝 or as a bandaid 🩹 to mask symptoms (like medication 💊). Ignoring or skipping normal developmental movements will make it difficult to create lasting changes.

Ready to get started with your child? Comment below or DM us “IN PERSON” or “VIRTUAL” and we’ll send you the details.

26/01/2025

Looking for ways to regulate when your kids have the heebee jeebees??

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18w38jYVpX/

This workout only takes 7 minutes and helps with self-regulation, used as a brain break, or indoor recess movement activity!

https://buff.ly/2QQYfnq

19/01/2025

Little out of the blue team but Barefoot Brains will be offering OroMyoFacial work that deals with exactly this in March...

Watch this space

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19toPmaUfh/

This is interesting..🤔🧐

From birth, your tongue is actually connected to your toes through an intricate network of connective tissue known as fascia.

If your tongue is not resting correctly in your mouth due to mouth breathing, things can get out of alignment in your mouth and the rest of your body.
Tongue posture can lead to a foot imbalance and vice versa because the tongue guides all myofascial continuity structures that run from the inner arch of the foot up through the middle of the body to the tongue and jaw muscles.

When the tongue sits on top of the palate, it seals the oral cavity and holds the throat open like a tent. These muscles support the neck, keep your posture straight, help you breathe, and maintain your posture upright.
Your tongue also acts as a rudder and support system through a fascial line, and when the tongue is down, we breathe through our mouth, and the head falls forward due to lack of support, which leads to poor posture and increased energy expenditure.

CTTO:

18/01/2025

If SMART goals make you cringe, you might be a Right Brainer Big picture, fun and in the now!! (Also sadly prone to procrastination, day dreaming and 'gunner' syndrome)

We might just have to accept a Right Brained timeline is NOW or NEVERrrrRrrRrr!!!!

Where Left Brained people set SMART goals and achieve them with relative ease in a relatively reasonable timeframe, Right Brainers find SMART goals just too detailed, specific and downright un-doable. This leaves Right Brainers pretending to set goals, going through the motions, but instantly sabotaging those goals with every excuse or change of plan under the sun!

PACE to the rescue!! Swap out the word 'Goal' for 'Intention' or 'Thing I Want to Change', get into PACE and get it done!! ✅✅✅

15/01/2025

Why Midline Crossing is Essential for School Readiness — And How Brain Gym Can Help!

Did you know that your child’s ability to cross their body’s midline is a critical skill for school success? 🎓 Midline crossing is the foundation for tasks like reading, writing, and even tying shoes. It helps the brain’s left and right hemispheres communicate effectively, which supports focus, coordination, and learning.

When children struggle with midline crossing, you might notice challenges like: • Difficulty distinguishing left from right. • Poor handwriting or trouble tracking words across a page. • Clumsiness or struggles with physical coordination.

That’s where Brain Gym comes in! 🏃💪 Our simple, targeted movements are designed to integrate both sides of the brain and body. By strengthening these neural connections, children can improve: • Hand-eye coordination. • Reading and writing fluency. • Overall confidence and focus in the classroom.

In our Barefoot Brains School Ready program, we make learning physical — and FUN! 😊 Give your child the tools they need to thrive with exercises that set their brain and body up for success.

Ready to help your child build a strong foundation for learning? Let’s get those brains and bodies moving together. 🎶

07/01/2025

03/01/2025

Keen to get your child off to the best start this school year? Barefoot Brains has a 9 day School Ready Program starting the 20th January 2025

❓A movement program that helps refine the physical skills needed for learning - core strength, endurance, dexterity, primitive reflex integration, balance and co ordination

🎯Ideal for 4-6 year olds starting Kindergarten/Prep in Feb

✅ Can also suit older children who need a hand with any of the skills mentioned (gross/fine motor skills, visual tracking, auditory processing or midline integration)

🗓️Starts the 20th January for 9 continuous days. Can also be repeated on a weekly basis throughout the school term

🟣NDIS - can be billed under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living. Message if you need us to write a letter of support - NDIS is a minefield at the moment 💣

🎓If you're an Allied Health Provider or Educator who would like to learn more about how you can include Brain Gym in your practice - we also offer certified training through Brain Gym Australia. Shoot us a message 📭

Look forward to seeing you soon ♾️

03/01/2025

"Is Your Child School Ready? 🌟"
"Boost Confidence, Focus, and Learning Skills with Movement-Based Fun!"

👣 Get Ready to Thrive!
Our School Readiness Program uses evidence-based assessments and proven movement techniques like Brain Gym to prepare your little one for a confident start to school life!

📚 What we focus on:
✔️ Fine & gross motor skills
✔️ Focus & concentration
✔️ Coordination & balance
✔️ Building a strong learning foundation
🗓️ Enroll today to start 20th January 2024

Limited spots available.
📍 Location: The Happy Spine Toormina
📞 Contact us: 02 66583066

01/01/2025

What is Brain Gym? 🧠✨

Brain Gym is one of the original Brain Integration Therapies, a mindful, movement-based approach designed to help people of all ages achieve optimal brain-body connection. At Barefoot Brains, we use Brain Gym to support learning, focus, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

Through simple, targeted movements, Brain Gym helps to strengthen neural pathways, improving coordination, concentration, memory, and even stress management. It’s like a tune-up for your brain, enhancing how you process and respond to the world around you.

Originally developed to address learning challenges, Brain Gym is now widely used to:
✔️ Help children excel in school
✔️ Reduce stress and brain fog in adults
✔️ Support anyone looking to enhance their mental and physical performance

Discover how Brain Gym can help you or your child unlock your potential. Contact us to learn more or book a session today!

01/01/2025

🌟 Welcome to Barefoot Brains! 🌟

At Barefoot Brains, we believe in the power of movement to unlock your true potential. Combining the science of Exercise Physiology with the transformative practices of Brain Gym, we help build stronger connections between the body and mind.

Our mission is to support individuals of all ages in achieving their goals, with a special focus on improving learning outcomes. Whether it's enhancing focus, building developmental movement skills, or fostering confidence, our programs are designed to help you or your child thrive.

🎒 We’re especially excited about our School Ready program, which lays the foundation for learning success. Using Brain Gym techniques and informed by the Best Start Assessment, this program focuses on developing the physical skills essential for effective learning—setting your little learners up for a confident start in the classroom.

Whether you're preparing for school, navigating neuro-rehabilitation, or simply seeking greater mind-body balance, Barefoot Brains is here to guide you every step of the way.

🌱 Ready to start your journey? Let’s move, learn, and grow—together.

Stay tuned for tips, success stories, and updates about our programs!