12 Foundations of Learning Readiness

Understanding development is crucial to understand movement.

Everything we do at ABL is backed by neuroscience. Research has found there are 12 important milestones and developmental functions that are crucial to a child's success. Click on each foundation to learn more about each one and see what ABL products can help!

Explore the 12 Foundations

Click on each icon to open an in-depth explanation of each foundation!

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Cross
Lateralization

When the body crosses its physical midline, it forces the left and right hemispheres of the brain to communicate. This integration is biologically required for a student to read smoothly from left to right and sequence written patterns.

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Balance

We get information about where we are in space from our feet, not our seat! Adjusting balance activates the proprioceptive system, giving the brain the spatial organization required to track words across a page and comprehend sentences.

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Visual
Development

A student's ability to track objects and maintain visual focus directly correlates to their ability to encode symbols. Strengthening eye muscles and visual tracking reduces reading fatigue and improves reading comprehension.

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Rhythm

Did you know that rhythm and beat consistency are deeply linked to language and literacy? Practicing rhythmic movements helps the brain organize external information into predictable, coherent patterns, which is the foundation for fluent reading and speech.

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Tactile Learning

Processing touch and texture creates vast neural networks. Fine motor and tactile stimulation prepares the brain to accurately process external stimuli, keeping students grounded, focused, and out of "fight or flight" mode.

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Body in Space

The vestibular system is our spatial awareness system that coordinates auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses. Developing this system gives the brain the precise control needed to properly space letters on a page and discriminate between different sounds in speech.

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Motor Skills

The brain uses movement to lay the framework for learning. The cerebellum controls agility and coordination, and activating it helps a student follow the flow of words, sequence complex math problems, and sort information efficiently.

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Eye/Hand/Foot
Coordination

Approximately 35% of the brain’s motor cortex is dedicated to the use of your hands and feet. The motor cortex helps the brain demonstrate what we are thinking by placing it on paper.

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Cardiovascular

Aerobic activity increases heart rate, acting as a massive pump that delivers highly oxygenated blood and glucose directly to the brain. This "brain fuel" immediately improves memory retention and executive function.

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Physical Fitness

Core and back muscle strength supports the spine and opens the airway. Good posture allows oxygen to flow freely through the central nervous system, supplying the brain with the fuel it needs for sustained focus.

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Problem Solving

Physical problem-solving engages the prefrontal cortex—the center for executive function and decision-making. Using physical gestures and actions to overcome obstacles helps students understand sequencing and complex academic concepts.

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Self
Management

Self-regulation is a learned neurological skill, not a given. Teaching students to physically transition between high-energy movement and mindful calm rewires the nervous system to independently manage stress and maintain an optimal learning state.

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Understanding development is crucial to understand movement.

Explore the 12 Foundations

Click on each icon to open an in-depth explanation of each foundation!

When the body crosses its physical midline, it forces the left and right hemispheres of the brain to communicate. This integration is biologically required for a student to read smoothly from left to right and sequence written patterns.

We get information about where we are in space from our feet, not our seat! Adjusting balance activates the proprioceptive system, giving the brain the spatial organization required to track words across a page and comprehend sentences.

A student's ability to track objects and maintain visual focus directly correlates to their ability to encode symbols. Strengthening eye muscles and visual tracking reduces reading fatigue and improves reading comprehension.

Did you know that rhythm and beat consistency are deeply linked to language and literacy? Practicing rhythmic movements helps the brain organize external information into predictable, coherent patterns, which is the foundation for fluent reading and speech.

Processing touch and texture creates vast neural networks. Fine motor and tactile stimulation prepares the brain to accurately process external stimuli, keeping students grounded, focused, and out of "fight or flight" mode.

The vestibular system is our spatial awareness system that coordinates auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses. Developing this system gives the brain the precise control needed to properly space letters on a page and discriminate between different sounds in speech.

The brain uses movement to lay the framework for learning. The cerebellum controls agility and coordination, and activating it helps a student follow the flow of words, sequence complex math problems, and sort information efficiently.

Approximately 35% of the brain’s motor cortex is dedicated to the use of your hands and feet. The motor cortex helps the brain demonstrate what we are thinking by placing it on paper.

Aerobic activity increases heart rate, acting as a massive pump that delivers highly oxygenated blood and glucose directly to the brain. This "brain fuel" immediately improves memory retention and executive function.

Core and back muscle strength supports the spine and opens the airway. Good posture allows oxygen to flow freely through the central nervous system, supplying the brain with the fuel it needs for sustained focus.

Physical problem-solving engages the prefrontal cortex—the center for executive function and decision-making. Using physical gestures and actions to overcome obstacles helps students understand sequencing and complex academic concepts.

Self-regulation is a learned neurological skill, not a given. Teaching students to physically transition between high-energy movement and mindful calm rewires the nervous system to independently manage stress and maintain an optimal learning state.

LEARN MORE

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Understanding development is crucial to understand movement.

Explore the 12 Foundations

Click on each icon to open an in-depth explanation of each foundation!

When the body crosses its physical midline, it forces the left and right hemispheres of the brain to communicate. This integration is biologically required for a student to read smoothly from left to right and sequence written patterns.

We get information about where we are in space from our feet, not our seat! Adjusting balance activates the proprioceptive system, giving the brain the spatial organization required to track words across a page and comprehend sentences.

A student's ability to track objects and maintain visual focus directly correlates to their ability to encode symbols. Strengthening eye muscles and visual tracking reduces reading fatigue and improves reading comprehension.

Did you know that rhythm and beat consistency are deeply linked to language and literacy? Practicing rhythmic movements helps the brain organize external information into predictable, coherent patterns, which is the foundation for fluent reading and speech.

Processing touch and texture creates vast neural networks. Fine motor and tactile stimulation prepares the brain to accurately process external stimuli, keeping students grounded, focused, and out of "fight or flight" mode.

The vestibular system is our spatial awareness system that coordinates auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses. Developing this system gives the brain the precise control needed to properly space letters on a page and discriminate between different sounds in speech.

The brain uses movement to lay the framework for learning. The cerebellum controls agility and coordination, and activating it helps a student follow the flow of words, sequence complex math problems, and sort information efficiently.

Approximately 35% of the brain’s motor cortex is dedicated to the use of your hands and feet. The motor cortex helps the brain demonstrate what we are thinking by placing it on paper.

Aerobic activity increases heart rate, acting as a massive pump that delivers highly oxygenated blood and glucose directly to the brain. This "brain fuel" immediately improves memory retention and executive function.

Core and back muscle strength supports the spine and opens the airway. Good posture allows oxygen to flow freely through the central nervous system, supplying the brain with the fuel it needs for sustained focus.

Physical problem-solving engages the prefrontal cortex—the center for executive function and decision-making. Using physical gestures and actions to overcome obstacles helps students understand sequencing and complex academic concepts.

Self-regulation is a learned neurological skill, not a given. Teaching students to physically transition between high-energy movement and mindful calm rewires the nervous system to independently manage stress and maintain an optimal learning state.

LEARN MORE