Tutoring vs. Brain Training

Exercise for the brain? It may seem like a foreign concept, but in truth, “brain training” can help both children and adults overcome learning challenges. While there are numerous benefits to tutoring, it often serves as a short-term solution and supports mastery of a single discipline.

Brain training, however, utilizes games, activities and tests that are specifically designed to improve a student’s problem solving abilities, memory and attention – the fundamental skills required to overcome most learning disabilities.

Tutoring is often very effective for students who require supplemental academic support. However, since it generally focuses on the re-teaching of a subject, learning challenges may not be addressed.

Where do students turn when tutoring is not the answer? Most learning disabilities impact a student’s ability to comprehend the learning process. This disconnect in cognitive skills, which are essential to process knowledge and thought, can cause a student’s reading, math and writing skills to decline.

“Tutoring is focused on providing the student instruction in a particular discipline, while brain training focuses on exercising the mind and reinforcing the fundamental skills a student needs to succeed,” says Learning Strategies owner Lynn Arnold.

Much like exercise keeps your body healthy, a mix of physical and mental activities does the same for the brain. Studies have shown that students can improve their learning skills and process comprehension with the use of brain training.

At Learning Strategies, brain training exercises are developed to focus on a client’s specific learning challenges. Programs including Balametrics® and the Lindamood-Bell® Visualizing and Verbalizing Program® allow students to work on attention / focus, sequencing, planning, processing speed, multitasking and long-term memory skills.

“With regular brain training we can significantly improve a student’s learning skills and turn a disability into a valuable set of abilities,” Lynn says.