Learning Curves was developed by chiropractors and written by educators to meet the social and cognitive development needs of children ages 7-11. Using a variety of dynamic instructional approaches and attractive graphics, the Learning Curves doctor provides children the education and understanding necessary to develop the lifestyle habits and behaviors that will lead to greater overall health and wellbeing. The primary focus of the Learning Curves curriculum is backpack safety and spinal health education.

The following information regarding the cognitive and social development of children
7-11 years old were used to develop our program so that it meets these needs as well as meeting National Health Education Standards (NHES).

Cognitive Development:

• Children begin to think relationally and to generalize: Children are developing their sense of self and starting to understand how they fit into groups and society. They are able to understand the relationship of behavior and its affects on themselves.
  
  
• Children begin and are capable of integrating several variables into causal relationships: This is the perfect time to help children develop a greater sense of self and help them understand the direct relationship between behavior and health. We teach the awareness of lifestyle choices such as posture, diet, and stretching. By teaching proper and improper posture and physical activity we help children understand the affect of lifestyle on the human frame specifically the spinal column, and help them understand the relationship between the variables of lifestyle, spinal health, nervous system integrity, and ultimately their health and potential for well-being.
  
  
• Children begin and are able to reverse causal relationships: The Learning Curves program will give children the lifelong ability to recognize changes in their health and understand the cause. This will allow children to become more proactive in life and react accordingly from a behavioral standpoint.
  

Social Development:

• Oriented to parents and teachers.
• Enjoy group play and peer relationships of same gender.
• Often competitive or have difficulty with peers.
• Often awkward of effects of behavior on others.
• Impressed by older role models.
• Learn behaviors from parents, peers, and role models.
• More concerned about physical health effects than social.

The Learning Curves program was developed to capitalize on the social development needs of this specific age group. Our Learning Curves doctors not only become valuable mentors and role models for the children but help children learn to become more responsible to self and others. We teach children how to share the lesson material with friends, siblings, and parents so that they become more involved socially within their community and family.

Program Implications:

• Involve parents and teachers in prevention activities.
• Use small groups to teach social skills, democratic processes, and cooperation.
• Teach and use cooperative team processes.
• Provide feedback on behavior.
• Use peer assistance and positive role models.
• Use curriculum that gives accurate information about decision-making
  and builds competency in social skills.

Learning Curves doctors are experts in the field of wellness development and have
the tools and resources to provide programming for parents, teachers, and students
so that there is a continuous stream of knowledge that can be reinforced at school,
home, and play.

Thank you in advance for considering the Learning Curves program for our
community. I look forward to meeting with you to go over the curriculum
and schedule the right time for implementation