02/19/99

Double Feature

This week's Viewpoints contain reader reactions to two articles: "Pregnant Fathers" and "Enhance Your Brain Power." My personal favorite brain-expanding suggestion was square dancing!

BRAIN ENHANCEMENT:

My personal favorite brain-expanding suggestion was square dancing! "Square Dancing involves physical as well as mental exercise, thus keeping the mind and body sharp. I've been dancing for over 18 years now (almost half my life) and it's wonderful. The music and atmosphere are different than in the old barn dances people think of when I mention Square Dancing. It's a great social occasion and not like the dances you learned in gym class. The younger you start, the better. Square Dancing is not just for the retired, so give it a whirl! One of my favorite Internet links, with both regional (New England) and national information is: http://www.dosido.com"

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"I just loved this article. I already do many of the items on the list and will try the rest. I think a lot of people are suffering the work/school and go home every day syndrome, like a robot, and trying to find meaning in life on Saturdays and Sundays. Our society in America especially needs adult group activities for regular, ordinary people. A lot of people are so busy trying to escape or run away in their Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV's) that they don't realize they have forgotten to plan a destination."

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"Thanks for the stimulating article on the brain. It really got me thinking! Did you visit http://www.brain.com yet? Pretty neat stuff. I'll pass this article on to my two sons."

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"I retired from teaching just two weeks ago. One of the last things I did with my art students was a unit on creative thinking, in which I used many of the hints for expanding brain power that you wrote about. For many years I have been reading about the brain and brain research to learn about how the information might affect teaching and learning. A professional workshop I recently attended was about Howard Gardner's theories of brain-based learning. He describes several different types of intelligence: spatial/visual, logical/mathematical, interpersonal, musical, body/kinesthetic, intrapersonal, linguistic, and ideational/spiritual. To these I would add emotional, sensory and holistic intelligences. It seems to me that placing students in learning groups or in colleges based on tests that measure mathematical and verbal knowledge/reasoning ignores many forms of intelligence and ability. Are we shortchanging our kids?"

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PREGNANT FATHERS

"Years ago when I entered pediatric practice, I made a habit of inviting expectant couples to make a prenatal pediatric appointment. One of the things I learned was that about 25% of pregnant fathers have gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, food cravings and vomiting during the first trimester ... often when the wife had none of these symptoms.

"This had been described in early British poetry. There is an 18th century poem that describes a man who walks into the village square and begins vomiting. His friend says, "Me thinks your wench is pregnant."

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"I just read "Pregnant Fathers" with my pregnant wife. We have a son who is almost three years old. Recently we found out that we are having twin girls! I don't think my son or I realize what we are in for, but we are certainly excited. The article hit home on several points: baby talk to my girl's through my wife's stomach and feeling twice as many kicks. Wish your colleague, Scott, luck from us. He made me realize all over again how wonderful pregnancy can be."

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"Your colleague mentioned that he will be looking to his child and his wife for instructions on being a dad. Better let him know that they are both as clueless at this point about the whole thing as he is. It sure is the most rewarding journey, though!"

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Author's note: At 1:32am, on 2/10/99 Scott and Deirdre welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world. Mom, dad and baby are doing fine.

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.