Moving to Learn, Learning to Move

Purposeful Movement Presented by Kelly Shaver

Young Children • • • • Learn through movement Learn through play Learn by being active Learn being physical

• • Develops the whole body Including the brain Movement

What is purposeful movement • • • • Movements that contribute to development The brain engages the body Intentional movement It is something purposeful

Purposeful movement activities Develop connects between: • • Brain Body

Purposeful movement • • • • Our lives our filled with movement We move constantly It involves conscious thought A decision for physical action

The child • • • • • When they plan to move How to move Maintains awareness Then reflects on the movement He or she is moving with………………………….

PURPOSE!

Physical movement • • Is Essential to learning during the early years of a child Not just physical learning but learning in all areas

Development • • Young children develop top to bottom Young children development from the inside out

Young children need Opportunities to explore, practice and develop their: • Large and small muscles

Young children need practice their • • Gross motor and Fine motor skills daily

Early childhood programs • Need to offer children a curriculum with activities to practice their ever development skills.

Children come into this world: • • • Learning to move! From birth.

We need to inspire them to Move to Learn!

Movement can enhance learning and gain focus!

Movement Breaks are • Brain Breaks using purposeful movement

Ideas • • • • • • • • • • • • Hide the handouts or Hide and seek other items Movement means activity, activity needs space and organization Moving a group takes a plan, getting up 2 at a time, using names or colors White paper 4 corners, answer questions, get up and go to the paper, write reply 2 liter bottles with colored water, 2 large containers.

Sand bag or salt bags- canvas child bags and sew to carry and transport.

Bean bags Empowering children to take an active role in caring for the classroom: wipe tables, sweep floors, Wash shelves, and broom and dust pans.

Using songs/music Using follow the leader type games Follow directions games Transitions with songs and movement and dance time in class.

More ideas • • • • • • • • • Matching games on the floor, move- walk- bend over- match Moving a table/moving chairs Flannel board activities Calling children up one at a time to give them a name tag Parachute play The magic circle (stretch) Roll the dice and jump to the number Deck of cards, pick a card and move Beach ball toss

• Questions Thank you!

Make and Take • • Make activity Practice purposeful movement experiences