A Moving Child Is a Learning Child
A Moving Child Is a Learning Child
A professional development opportunity for early childhood professionals
In this two hour workshop, presented by Gill Connell of Moving Smart NZ, participants will learn why movement is critical to the learning process in a young child and how to foster it in a natural and respectful way – from reflexes to independent movement.
Based on the hugely successful book “A Moving Child Is a Learning Child” written by Gill Connell and Cheryl McCarthy the authors explain that all learning begins with the body.
It has to. Itʼs our point of reference—our own personal, portable True North, so to speak. And for children, itʼs even more because the body is the brainʼs first teacher.
And the lesson plan is movement.
From grasping your finger to grasping her rattle to grasping the mechanics of crawling, standing, walking, jumping, and those hurtling-headlong-hugs, every move a young child makes—intentional or accidental—leads to learning. Movement develops her physical capabilities, of course. But at the same time, it is building sensory perceptions and critical pathways in the brain necessary to reach her full potential.
It’s been well reported that within the first years of childhood, approximately 90 percent of the neural pathways in the brain will be set for life. Those pathways determine how a child thinks and learns, but more, they will shape who she becomes . . . her passions and pursuits, triumphs and challenges, inner reflections, outer reactions, and outlook on life . . . all flowing through the neural network built by her earliest physical and sensory experiences.
With breathtaking simplicity, nature has created this move-to-learn process to be both dynamic and self-perpetuating, building the body and brain simultaneously. As such, the more a child moves, the more she stimulates her brain. The more the brain is stimulated, the more movement is required to go get more stimulation. In this way, nature gently coaxes the child to explore beyond her current boundaries towards her own curiosity to acquire new capabilities. And that, of course, is what we call learning.
Workshop Topics:
- Observational Assessment Tools: What can the child do? Start there.
- Lesson Planning: Using the Kinetic Scale to build a well balanced movement diet.
- Individualisation: Modifying active play activities to any child’s individual capabilities.
Two workshops scheduled. One in Bundaberg and one in Maryborough.
Workshop 1: Bundaberg – Thursday, 23 February. 6pm – 8pm. Baptist Church, Fitzgerald Street.
Workshop 2: Maryborough – Friday, 24 February. 6pm – 8pm. Brolga Theatre, Walker Street.
Attendance: Anyone working with children (Educators, Assistants, Teachers, Aids, Community Services Employees, Allied Health Professionals and Parents)
Cost: Free*
*Bookings essential – limited numbers. Please RSVP by 16 February to (07) 41529233 or reception@familydaycarebundaberg.com.au
The “Moving Smart” Project is administered and delivered by Bundaberg Baptist Family Day Care Scheme on behalf of Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.
