The Key to Saving Children from School Refusal and Academic Decline is 'Throwing Power'

― To prevent developmental gaps and open up the future ―

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kenJ (6 years old, myself 60 years ago):
"Hey kenG, school has started after summer vacation, but it seems like a lot of kids don't want to go. Why is that?"

kenG (66 years old, myself now, time-traveled to 60 years ago):
"That's because, kenJ, their 'brain switches' have been resting too much during summer vacation. They need to connect and use various parts of their brains for studying, interacting with friends, and moving their bodies, but some kids are having trouble doing that."

kenJ:
"So, did they play too much during summer vacation?"

kenG:
"Even if they were playing, it's no good if it was just games and videos. What they really need is 'throwing play.' When you throw a ball, it connects all the important parts of the brain—concentration, memory, body coordination, and the ability to interact with others. If they don't do this, a 'developmental gap' widens, making studying and school life difficult."

kenJ:
"I see... So, if they play by throwing a lot, will school become fun again?"

kenG:
"That's right. Actually, Shohei Ohtani, who is thriving in the future, also had plenty of throwing experiences since he was a child. That's exactly why he developed the concentration and social skills to succeed globally as a two-way player."

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👦 Children's worries that spread after summer vacation

At this time of year, when summer vacation ends and the new semester begins, many parents share the same worries.
• "They don't want to go to school"
• "They can't concentrate on homework"
• "They can't interact well with friends"

These are not just personality traits or temporary laziness. From the perspective of brain science, this is often rooted in a developmental gap—a state where specific brain functions are not working sufficiently.

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🧠 Developmental gaps and brain dysfunction

Developmental gaps manifest in children in the following ways:
• Prefrontal cortex: Lack of concentration and emotional control
• Hippocampus: Difficulty retaining what is learned
• Cerebellum: Poor coordination and emotional instability
• Social brain: Difficulty building relationships with friends and teachers

The reason why children 'can no longer do what they could before' after summer vacation is that this is a time when such brain dysfunction is more likely to surface.

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⚾ Throwing power nurtures the brain

Case Study: Super Hard Dodgeball Video YouTube

The act of throwing is not just simple play.
• Tracking the ball with eyes (visual cortex)
• Predicting the trajectory (prefrontal cortex)
• Using the whole body to throw (cerebellum/motor cortex)
• Being aware of the opponent (social brain)

In this way, throwing power is an 'all-purpose training' that activates the entire brain.
If this experience is neglected in early childhood, the brain's network will not develop, and the developmental gap will widen.

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🌍 Connection to social issues

Neglecting throwing power and the resulting developmental gaps affect not only children's academic performance and school life but also adult society.
• Drunk driving and road rage
• Domestic violence and moral harassment
• Poor interpersonal relationships in the workplace

These can also be seen as 'the result of becoming an adult without the social brain being sufficiently developed.'

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📚 Practice and results

By incorporating programs that actually cultivate throwing power, children change significantly.
• Children who were refusing to go to school were able to return
• They became able to focus calmly during class
• Interpersonal troubles decreased, and smiles returned

These cases show that throwing play has the power to reset the 'brain switch.'

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🌟 The future shown by Shohei Ohtani

Through his throwing experiences from childhood, Ohtani polished his:
• Concentration
• Perseverance
• Social skills to involve those around him

These are known as 'non-cognitive skills.'On that extension lies his unique success as a 'two-way player.'

Ohtani embodies the fact that throwing power is the strength that carves out the future.⸻

✅ Summary

The problems children face after summer vacation are largely due to a lack of throwing power and developmental gaps.

Let's prevent! Developmental gaps and regressive phenomena × Let's nurture! Throwing power and the social brain!

Throwing power is not only a foundation for protecting children's futures but also for fostering the health of society as a whole.
And I, Yamazaki, am working as a specialist to lead the practice and dissemination of this.

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✍️ Author

Expert in Developmental Support and Throwing Power Enhancement Programs
Kenji Yamazaki (Representative of S-Power Kids)

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