Product Description

Spacewalk – A powerful tool that stimulates the brain for learning

Breakthroughs in Learning is now offering one of their most effective tools for use in schools and homes. Movement and play are foundational to learning. Through the natural course of physical development, a child should have created the resources needed for later learning.

At times, some of the stages of development are skipped or have not been practiced enough to support learning. Movement patterns are important building blocks for dynamic growth and development of perception, co-ordination and learning. While the child is having fun, Spacewalk provides an opportunity to strengthen the brain’s learning efficiency.

PLEASE NOTE: SPACEWALK is one of many excellent resources used at Breakthroughs. Although Spacewalk is a very effective neurodevelopmental tool, Spacewalk alone cannot replace a full assessment and therapy program. Please be sure to check thewarning signs list to determine whether you should consider a complete assessment at Breakthroughs for your learner, or yourself.

This movement based program has been very successful in bringing about improvement in the following areas:

• Spatial Awareness
• Memory (used in all subjects)
• Attention Span & Focus
• Visual and Auditory Processing
• Reading
• Mathematics
• Balance
• Coordination

The DVD Package includes written instructions and an activity map for immediate use. These files are on the DVD if you require extra print-outs.

The DVD includes instructions on cutting and labeling the circles needed to do this activity. It tells you how many circles you need, what size the circles should be, what materials to use etc. However, if you prefer to purchase a Spacewalk Dot Kit, ready to start your Spacewalk activity as soon as the DVD arrives, you can order one from Breakthroughs.

The Spacewalk

Originally, these movements were created by an aerodynamics engineer who later became a teacher. Dr. Frank Belgau initially named these neurodevelopmental exercises The Mathland Spacewalk. Today, we use the name Spacewalk because its’ benefits extend beyond math. At Breakthroughs in Learning, Spacewalk is used as part of most educational therapy programs. Since Breakthroughs is seeing exciting results, they decided to create this Spacewalk DVD for parents and educators as a neurodevelopmental tool that can benefit everyone.

Clinical Research

 Medical research has recently determined that the brain is capable of creating neural pathways throughout life. You may already have heard the concept neuroplasticity. It has been discovered that our brains will have new pathways tonight depending on the stimulation provided to the brain today! Pathways that are frequently stimulated become comparable to super-highways. Spacewalk stimulates pathways that enhance memorization, listening and number comprehension, visual and auditory processing, gross-motor co-ordination and internal rhythm used for reading, music and sports.

Balance is Vital to Learning

Recent scientific research verifies that the vestibular system (middle ear) is partially responsible for our balance, and has a key role in all of the brain’s functions. It is believed to be the first sense that develops while a child is in the womb, and becomes a foundational organizational tool for the development of other brain processes.

Increased Co-ordination

Helping people achieve co-ordination can give them a gift that impacts their whole life. Breakthroughs staff have seen many children improve in their ability to succeed at sports, make social connections and progress in the classroom. Co-ordination is valuable in everyday life activities such as running, playing sports, dancing, driving a car, working on the computer or in a science lab.

How much “SPACE” for Spacewalk?

Eighteen to twenty-five feet, or six to eight meters is sufficient space for Spacewalk. If your space is limited, you can re-use the same space for each activity and adjust your patterns accordingly. Some people do Spacewalk at home between their living room and kitchen. Schools can use the gym floor. If you have outdoor space, such as a playground or large driveway, Spacewalk can be painted with industrial road paint. The DVD shows Spacewalk demonstrations in several different settings.

Sharing Spacewalk

People have come from as far away as Oshawa, Toronto, Windsor, and have even flown in from Thunder Bay and Alberta to participate in Breakthroughs’ Educational Assessment and Therapy services in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. Many of the brain stimulating exercises and activities they use can only be done under the regular supervision of a trained educational therapist.

However, Spacewalk is an activity that can be readily shared with people out of range of these interactive programs, but still needing help with learning efficiency. By making this DVD, Breakthroughs hopes to impact children and adults alike in every conceivable learning setting. Already making its entrance at private schools in Southern Ontario, Breakthroughs is delighted that Spacewalk has been implemented at several schools across Africa.

Essential for some / Beneficial for all

Everyone can benefit from Spacewalk activities, whether they are having learning challenges or not. For struggling learners, this regular investment of time will begin to make learning smoother. For others, existing skills will be enhanced through these brain stimulations. Spacewalk can be done as a class or group activity.

Note: Although Spacewalk is a very effective tool, Spacewalk alone cannot replace a full assessment and therapy program. Please be sure to check the warning signs list to determine whether you should consider a complete assessment at Breakthroughs for your learner or for yourself.