“There just had to be another explanation,” I thought. A whole class of 5 year olds wiggling and squirming through the entire story time I’d planned. Not one of them could make it through 15 minutes without a first-class fidget. Did they all have to go to the bathroom? Were they all misbehaving at once? Were they bored? Maybe I was a lousy storyteller?
Why can’t kids just sit still and listen?
25 years of searching for the answer later, here's what I think.
THEY CAN’T. (At least, not for very long.)
But more, I was shocked to discover THEY SHOULDN’T.
You see, the human body is wired to learn through movement. When kids crawl, walk, run, scoot, climb, wiggle, giggle, squiggle, swing, rock, hang upside down, spin around, and yes, inevitably, fidget, they’re doing what nature requires them to do... MOVING THEIR BODIES TO PREPARE THEIR BRAINS FOR LEARNING.
And that’s what MOVING SMART is all about. Through this blog and all the other things we’re doing, we hope to show you how the body teaches the brain (not the other way around)... that movement is the essential – and often overlooked -- starting point for children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development... and that there are lots and lots of simple, everyday ways you can support, enhance and encourage all that wiggly-giggly-fidgety development while having fun along the way!
Welcome to MOVING SMART!
Welcome to MOVING SMART!
You’ve heard of “teachable moments” – everyday, situation-based opportunities to explore, explain, and reinforce learning. At MOVING SMART we believe in teachable moments, but we also encourage “Playable Moments” – creating fun-filled, skill-building foundations by turning everyday occurrences into moments of action-packed, giggle-inducing, (and sometimes stress-reducing) play! To show you what we mean, with each blog we'll share a new idea for adding a little more movement... and fun... into your day.
For instance, the next time your child is a bit fidgety, try this...
SNAIL THE WHALE CAN’T FIND HIS TAIL!
Sometimes when kids can’t seem to sit still, they may need to stimulate their vestibular (balance) system. Take a moment to tell the story of poor old Snail the Whale...
There once was a whale named Snail
Who couldn’t find the end of his tail.
Three spins to the left,
Then back to the right,
Never failed to help Snail find his tail.
Who couldn’t find the end of his tail.
Three spins to the left,
Then back to the right,
Never failed to help Snail find his tail.
“WHERE’S YOUR TAIL?”
Now make a game of it! Get up and look for your own tail. Then ask your child if he can find his. Spin slowly three times to the left, then slowly again, three times to the right. (SLOW is the key here... about one revolution per 8 seconds.)
And once he's found his tail, what’s the best way to keep from losing it again? Sit down!
You may find that “finding his tail” may help him settle down and sit still... at least for a little while longer. Let me know how it goes.
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This is a great lesson in speaking at the level of your audience. And how much more fun is this? I wish they'd incorporate more of this kind of teaching throughout the school years.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion! Of course kids can't sit still. We should learn from them and be healthier for it.
ReplyDeleteSo important for parents and educators! I agree with Sarah; we need to learn from our kids!
ReplyDeleteToday, children are six times more likely to play a computer game than ride a bike. Growing numbers of schools are eliminating recess in favor of more time for reading, writing, and math. Our test-driven curricula are driving the elimination of creative and playful teaching practices in favor of rote learning methods. Childhood is becoming increasingly sedentary.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, long ago educators came to think that learning happens when the learner is quiet, listening and in a seated position – that we open up their skull cap and pour knowledge inside. They forget that learners are living humans with physical needs; they think about the brain, but neglect the body.
Learning that is active and experiential, involving movement, and arousing positive emotions is more effective than disseminating information in a one-way flow from teacher to learner.
Since movement of the body engages the brain, it is the wise educator’s trump card. One of the single most powerful aspects of play is its ability to bring together the developing areas of the brain. Brain development is enhanced by play.
Play, peer games, sports, and “new” games may enhance emotional intelligence by facilitating the encoding and decoding of social signals. Traditional seatwork engages less of the brain. If you want children to remember what they are learning, get them involved: Get them moving. Start ‘playing’ more and ‘working’ less” Play is one of the most effective strategies for learning and it ought to be an fundamental part of teaching.
http://ashcraftafterschool.blogspot.com/