Active Bodies = Active Minds

Noline Skeetwww.grasshopperknees.co.nz

Ph: 09-2927524Mob: 0274976294

Agenda10.30 Starting the Learning Journey

» importance of a balanced all-rounded start to learning

Why movement is so important11.20 Break11.30 Learning activities that count

Movement activities12.15 Conclusion & question time

What do you want to get out of the session

• Why did you come to this session?• What do you specifically want to get out of the

session?

What characteristics/aptitudes/dispositions do you want you child to have when they enter school at 5?

Describe it to a partner?

Start with the end in mind….

Reaching your child’s full potential

• Meeting our hierarchy of needs

• Nature + Nurture• Valuing differences

“By the age of two, a child’s brain contains twice as many synapses and consumes twice as much energy as the brain of a normal adult and is 80% of an adult sized brain.” (Nash, 1997).

What is the brain research telling us?

"Scaffolding refers to the way the adult guides the child's learning via focused questions and positive interactions.” (Nancy Balaban)

– Focusing on what is important to learn first – Making vital connections - moving from known to unknown– Reinforcing reinforcing reinforcing

Scaffolding the Learning

Supporting our children to be intelligent in many ways….

Environment, cultures, genetics working together

• Develop the learning in a holistic way (socially, academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually)

• “Multiple Intelligences” • Reflecting the different

ways we think and learn

Why is movement so important for

learning and behaviour?

“Experiences change the brain.” (Healy 2004)

Movement includes……

Experiencing movement in many different ways

as possible

Movement includes;• Locomotion

– Ability to move the body

• Balance– Ability to maintain equilibrium in whatever position - static or moving

• Co-ordination (eye/hand,eye/foot)– Ability to have dexterity and make hands and feet do what the eyes

tell them to do

• Fitness– Ability to be flexible, have muscular strength, and endurance.

Movement develops skill of..• Language • Memory• Problem solving• Physical movement skills e.g ball skills,

skipping, hopping, jumping etc.

Physical activities develop ‘Habits of Mind’

• Persisting• Thinking flexibly• Thinking and communicating with clarity and

precision• Taking responsible risks• Striving for accuracy• Thinking interdependently • Managing impulsivity

Some natural reflexes babies are born with or soon develop…

• Moro Reflex ( - 4 months)

– Freeze, startle • Palmar Reflex ( - 3 months - then replaced by pincer grip about 9 months)

– gripping, reaching,mouthing• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (- 6 months)

– Neck muscles, head turning, kicking off, hand-eye co-ordination• Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex ( - 4 months)

– Moving head forward and backward - Muscle tone, centre of balance• Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (8-11 months)

– On all fours, head causes arms to bend and legs extend– Head extension causes legs to flex, arm straighten

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

Head extension causes legs to flex, arm straighten

On all fours, head causes arms to bend and legs extend

Activities to get baby moving…..• Floor activities

– Tummy time/playing games– Cross over arms and legs games– Eye tracking – Rolling over and over– Crawling games

• Plane rides• Ball rides• Obstacle courses

Develop the language with everything you do.

Toys to get baby moving…..The right toy at the right stage to maximise babies learning..

• Discovery Box • O Ball• Rolling Raindrops• Pound and roll• Peek-a-boo ball• Finger puppets

Moving to Music

• Dancing to music• Beating the rhythm• Creating music

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are needed to see this picture.

Most importantly…• Anywhere, anytime, just in time learning• Have fun together• Balance the approach to learning• Build networks for learning (you are your child’s best first

teacher!)• Give your child the start to learning that they deserve• Download our e-book to find out more

7 Secrets of Raising Intelligent Children