New SmartMoves DVD Combines Movement and Music in Short Physical Activities That Can Increase Students' Ability to Learn FableVision and Thinking Moves ship research-based DVD that can increase focus, memory, and academic performance of students in grades 3-12 and addresses growing number of student learning disorders BOSTON, MA - February 12, 2008 - Award-winning educational publisher FableVision, and learning-development company Thinking Moves unveiled their new SmartMoves DVD with a launch party at FableVision’s studio in the Boston Children’s Museum. This innovative DVD (52 min.) combines movement and music in short segments of physical activities that increase students’ ability to learn in class. Based on recent research studies that link movement to learning, the program increases focus, memory and academic performance of all students in grades 3-12 and helps teachers address the growing number of students with learning disorders. By having students follow along with the activities for just three to five minutes each day, teachers can make a dramatic improvement in the effectiveness of their lessons and valuable class time. This can be done anytime during the day and works great as a transition between topics or to refocus students after they return to class from recess. Boston-based FableVision and Wisconsin-based Thinking Moves partnered to create SmartMoves based on the rapidly growing field of “embodied cognition theory,” which suggests that body movement increases the brain’s ability to learn. SmartMoves features a series of 40 body movements, choreographed to music, that are designed to increase students’ academic performance, information retention, and focus. The technique used in SmartMoves, dubbed “body puzzles” by the creators, is based on body cognition, the scientific research into the relationships between rhythm, pattern acquisition, movement, music, games and brain development. Recent studies in the field of embodied cognition from the University of Central Florida, University of Wisconsin's Laboratory of Embodied Cognition, and Arizona State University have shown a clear link between body movement and the brain’s increased ability to learn, focus and retain information. Across all ages, from infants to professional athletes to the elderly, and for a variety of learning challenges including ADHD, autism and Alzheimer’s, the benefits and necessity of physical movement is becoming increasingly well documented. In addition, research has shown a correlation between the sedentary lifestyle and obesity rates of today’s children with decreased academic performance. “SmartMoves, embodies the creative, out-of-the-box approach to reach all learners that is the hallmark of the FableVision educational software product line,” said Jane Reynolds, Executive Partner at FableVision and head of its Educational Software Division. “This is a fun, easily accessible tool for teachers and parents that has the potential not only to expand students’ learning aptitude, but to reduce disciplinary problems and time spent refocusing students between activities. ” Roberta Scherf, President and Founding partner of Thinking Moves, created SmartMoves as a way to help her daughter, who exhibited significant learning disabilities at a young age. She discovered the relationship between movement and learning 10 years ago as she researched ways to help her daughter learn to speak, read, and form relationships with others. “The results were nothing short of miraculous,” said Scherf. “After one month of these rhythm and movement games, every one of her switches turned from ’off’ to ‘on.’ I knew I had to create a resource to help other parents struggling with these issues, and FableVision’s mission to foster human potential in non-traditional ways made it a natural partner.” The SmartMoves DVD priced at $129 is available for purchase by visiting www.fablevision.com/smartmoves. Or to order by phone, call 1-888-240-3734. About FableVision, Inc. FableVision (www.fablevision.com) is on a mission to bring the world to a better place through media, storytelling and technology. With new headquarters at The Boston Children's Museum in Boston, and offices in Dedham, MA, Portland, OR, and London, the FableVision team enjoys an international reputation for its unique brand of innovative, technology-delivered storytelling and learning. Its K-12 software product offerings -Stationery Studio, BrainCogs, SmartMoves, Essay Express, and Get A Clue– are distributed around the globe. Some of FableVision's partners and clients include PBS, Maryland Public Television, MIT Education Arcade, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, Nickelodeon/Noggin, KCET, Carnegie Hall, National Academy of Sciences, WGBH, Random House, Simon Schuster, Pearson Education, the Girl Scouts USA, SARRC, the Research Institute for Learning Development, and Boston University and the Jim Henson Company. About Thinking Moves Created by a mother trying to help her child learn more effectively, Thinking Moves, is the serendipitous outcome of her efforts; the company has been built on the premise that learning improves when the brain and body are connected through music and patterned movements. Thinking Moves creates multimedia products which transform the mind and body using intuitive and effective exercises, ranging from simple to complex, and require just a few minutes a day. The basis for the company's activities is the growing body of empirical and anecdotal research on the relationship between movement and cognition. The company is located in the St. Croix River Valley of Western Wisconsin.

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