Strengthening Learning Through Movement Why should use it? What do we use? How do we do it?
How do we make kids ready to learn? How are children prepared to learn? How do we learn?
The brain developed as a survival organ that is designed to solve problems in an unstable environment in constant motion.
Are students still moving?
Movement is the foundation for all learning!
How does movement facilitate learning? s
Preparing the Brain for LEARNING!!!!
Have you seen this student?
The 10 Foundations for Learning
Vestibular Development What it Means The vestibular system coordinates movements of the eyes, head and body. This affects our body s balance, muscle tone, visual-spatial perception and auditory language perception These concepts aid the brain in putting numbers or letters in sequence, discriminating different sounds, placing letters and words on a page and writing letters in proper proportion. Spinning How it Looks Rocking Turtle Shell Seated Spinning Helicopter Spinning Knee Spinning Locomotor Movement and Spinning Scooter Spin Jump, Spin, and Land Bounce, Spin, and Land Forward Roll
Vestibular Development
Proprioception What it Means Proprioception is the body s ability to sense itself, to sense movement within joints and joint position. It is often described as the concept of knowing where your body is in space (body awareness) When we receive feedback or sensations from our joints an muscles, this is considered proprioceptive input. We also obtain proprioceptive input by lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects. How it Looks Wobble Chair Leap Fog Pattern Jumping and Hoping Obstacles Lococmotor Skills Jumping and Landing from Height Jumping, Landing, and Patterning
Propreoception
Cross Lateralization What it Means Crossing the midline facilitates neural activation in the brain allowing the brain to process information efficiently. The body has a vertical midline (right/left hemisphere) and a horizontal midline (corpus colosum). Students should be able to do cross lateralization skills by the end of kindergarten. Without cross lateralization skills students may not be able to process letters, make words, and therefore ultimately struggle to read throughout school. How it Looks Snow Angel Alligator Crawl Alligator Crawl with a Scooter Under and Through Crawl Stepping Obstacle Over and Under Obstacle Crawl Tunnel Bean Bag Bucket High Five Jungle Pattern Walking Mat Inclined Walk Way
Cross Lateralization
Balance What it Means The ability to maintain a controlled body position during a performance of a task. Strong balance allows students to increase or maintain core strength allowing for better posture in the learning environment. How it Looks Balance Walking Tightrope Walking Balance Bridge Balance Domes Balance Boards and Balls Balance Beam Ladder, Rails and Rungs Arched Ladder Inclined Walk Way
Balance
Visual Tracking What it Means Vision develops best in the eye that can easily track and converge. Tracking is the ability to control where we aim our eyes. How it Looks Tracers Tracking with Objects Toss and Catch Racquet Tap Bean Bag Toss Bean Bag Pattern Target Kicking Target Toss and Catch Ring Toss
Visual Tracking
Gross Motor Skills What it Means The brain uses motor skills to lay the framework for learning. The brain s cerebellum controls motor skills, agility and coordination. When the cerebellum is working well, cognitive function, which is our ability to think, increases. We think better when we move. These concepts aid the brain in following the flow of words, sequencing patterns in math and reading, solving problems and sorting information.. How it Looks Pencil Roll Lizard Crawl Belly Angels High Knee Skips Moonwalker Frog Hop
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor What it Means There is a clear connection in the circuitry of the brain between areas controlling fine motor skills and areas controlling cognition. These areas are developing simultaneously. Children use fine motor skills to write and draw. How it Looks Scoops Grippers Shape and Color Sorting Shoe Tie Station Cup Stacking
Fine Motor Skills
Rhythm and Beat What it Means Rhythm, Vestibular, Directionality, and Sequencing Development It is the cadence of the beat that allows us to learn our letters which in turn allows us to be fluent readers. How it Looks Rhythm Drums Songs Scarf Juggling Jump Rope Bouncing Ball Rhythm Hand Clap Jump Rope Patterning
Rhythm and Beat
Strength and Endurance What it Means Muscular Strength is the ability to exert force against resistance. Muscular Endurance is the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to exert force repeatedly. How it Looks Hanging Bar Tag Games Tip Toe Walking Step Up Step Down Patterns Squats Tug of War Obstacle Courses Ladder Climb
Strength and Endurance