The Brain Friendly Classroom©

Dorothy's expertise and compassion for children with special needs, led her to develop a pioneering, comprehensive research-based program that addresses the whole student with a holistic, natural approach. Her program, The Brain Friendly Classroom©, addresses specific concerns of administrators, teachers, parents and students, is fun, and makes all types of learning easier and more efficient. Her program addresses the needs of those with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning challenges. As a result, test scores are impressive, as are improvements in behavior, high-level thinking skills and social maturity. Her Brain Friendly Classroom© program has been shown regularly on the Wichita, Kansas Public Education Television station since 2002.

All the elements of the Brain Friendly Classroom© were born out of the need to reduce the levels of stress in children. When students come to school stressed from environmental, developmental, family and social influences, learning is greatly inhibited. Chronic exposure to stress inhibits full brain development. (Hannaford, 1995.) One of my goals has been to enhance independent skills in students, specifically those with learning or behavior needs. One solution to this is the link between relaxation and academic success. Research has shown that relaxation can facilitate changes in physiological states in the body that allow the brain to work more effectively. (Blanchard, 1979; Helpler & Kepka, 1996).

I began by playing soothing music in the classroom in 1979. The results were remarkable due to the fact that the relationship between music and a relaxed mental state is strong. Lozanov, A Bulgarian physician, found the rhythms of the body (heart beat, brain waves and blood pressure) tended to slow down and synchronize themselves to the beat of Baroque music when played for his patients (Ostrander & Schoroeder, 1979). Blanchard (1979) found that playing music in the background during a classroom examination dramatically lowered blood pressure and resulted in significantly higher scores for students than those not having background music. Improved retention of spelling words has also been linked to the use of background music (Anderson, Henke, McLaughlin, Ripp, & Tuffs, 2000). These studies lay a foundation for a path between music, relaxation, improved brain function and academic performance. Students greatly benefit listening to music in the classroom.

After discovering the remarkable benefits of music in the classroom I continued researching and exploring other ways to promote relaxed alertness while enhancing brain functioning. The foundation of what became The Brain Friendly Classroom© include: a relaxed environment, music, proper lighting, movement, water and aromatherapy.

Below are test results of 10 students attending a summer school college Fundamentals of Reading course. The adults benefited from having bottled water, music, movement (Brain Gym®) and aromatherapy. Note the improvements in comprehension, which was the main area of concentration. All of the student's scores improved, but the amount they improved is the most impressive. The majority of the students improved their comprehension grade levels from 3.8 years to 7.5 years. The proof is in the scores.

"After watching The Brain Friendly Classroom video, I wanted to let you know that your approach is certainly something to be applauded."

The late Hugh D. Riordan, M.D.
The Former Director of The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning International, Inc.

"Your Brain Friendly Classroom video will inspire a lot of teachers and will help a lot of students to reach their potential. Thank you for making a difference in your work. I know it takes a lot of effort on your part to do the research and then implement these techniques in your classroom."

Janalea Hoffman, Music Therapist and founder of Rhythmic Medicine

"While installing a light fixture for Dorothy, the fixture fell on my face and sliced my nose open. Dorothy took me to the emergency room and performed Therapeutic Touch on me there and then back at her house several times. I was skeptical but willing to give it a try. Well, I became a believer! Everything she told me about Therapeutic Touch is true. I had absolutely no swelling on my nose or around my eyes, and I was expecting two black eyes. There was no pain from the injury or from the stitches, and there was never even a scar from the stitches! You would never know I had had my nose sliced open. I could not believe it! I am now a big supporter of Therapeutic Touch!"

Mark, Contractor

"In the course of the last school year, I have noticed considerable improvement in student's behavior, attentiveness, retention and flexibility. This is in sharp contrast to behavior that I observed in the previous year under conventional methods. Dorothy Gray's methods have made a tremendous difference."

Jason Ewertt
Vocal Music Teacher
Wichita, KS Public Schools

"Your students are fortunate to have had you as a teacher and I'm sure you will be the one they remember as adults."

Betty. Reading volunteer veteran

"After watching the film, The Brain Friendly Classroom on TV, I just want to thank you for making the video. I learned so much and will be adding some of your ideas into my classroom. I admire you for putting all the things together and for incorporating them into the classroom effectively, comfortably and enjoyably. Your students will be thankful for many years to come."

Misa, Elementary Teacher

"I am a preschool Montessori teacher. I am going to use Brain Gym exercises with the kids. I'd like to get the lamps installed in our high school now before my daughter gets there! I loved this class-very informative and useful information."

Julia, Montessori Teacher
The Brain Friendly Classroom workshop participant

"This workshop was very interesting and useful. I loved learning about Brain Gym and the benefits of the five senses and movement."

The Brain Friendly Classroom workshop participant

"Thanks for making your mark on so many students, teachers and parents. You are unique!"

Tina, Reading Specialist

"I thought I'd write to let you know that I appreciate all you did for Preston when he was in your class. I am happy with what he learned and accomplished while in your class. I have nothing but good memories, and Preston still talks about things he did in your class. He would come home and have a "Mrs. Gray story" every night. He learned SO much."

Renae, Parent of third grade student

"I am sorry to hear you are going to retire from the school system. Of course, you deserve it, but I'm sad to see you go because you are so great in the classroom. I think you are WONDERFUL!"

Susan, Parent of third grade student