We talk about moving a lot. We talk about physicality a lot. And sometimes, when we train teachers or speak at conferences, people don’t hear “moving” or “physicality” they hear “sports.” It is important to understand that what we do is not about sport. Sport is great, but it isn’t for everybody. However, physical [...]
Girls. Some prefer tutus and tiaras, others prefer dirty overalls and playing with the boys. Either way, all girls are biologically the same and in this month’s newsletter we’re going to dive into the beauty that makes them who they are. Much like boys, we will highlight key differences that uniquely make a girl, well…a [...]
In the days of Beaver Cleaver and Samantha Stephens, boys wore blue, girls wore pink, boys played as firemen, and girls were housewives. Today, those lines are not as hard and fast, and most of us know preschool-aged boys who might wear a towel over their heads, so they seem to have long hair [...]
We are making an important change to our Strengths and Skills! One of our skills has always been eye-hand coordination. But that is limited in scope and doesn't truly highlight the important conversation the eyes are having with the entire body as it moves. The eyes must direct much of what we do, whether [...]
As the holidays loom and the gifting frenzy begins, we beg all parents, particularly those of children under the age of 10, please do not fall into the trap of believing children of this age need personal smart technology. Personal smart technology (smartphones, tablets) is not beneficial to growing brains and is more harmful [...]
We all know the best way to calm the wiggles is more moving. Remember Ms. Kay's story? Just two minutes of moving brought calm to her classroom so she could move her circle time forward. Instead of battling the wiggles, she leaned into them. Her idea was simple, but having numerous easy ideas in your [...]
When I entered kindergarten, a very long time ago, my school called it Primer, not kindergarten. We had two classrooms within which we moved and learned. We must have stayed until at least 2 pm because I remember eating lunch and having a nap on one of those trifold plastic mats that were red [...]
Working more moving into the day can be challenging but doesn't have to be impossible. Start by making a transition full of powerful moving rather than the typical bubbles-mouth-line plan. If there is no one else in the hall, moving like bears to the music room can be powerful and set kids up (and [...]
Every day we as teachers make our students uncomfortable. That is our job. It is the discomfort that helps them learn and grow. But if learning and growing means getting uncomfortable, shouldn’t we all be doing it? It may feel uncomfortable to get your kids moving during the day. To stop as Ms Kay [...]
It was circle time one school morning this past spring. All the 4-year-old children in Ms. Kay's class were settling into their spots, but Charlie couldn’t sit still. Not only was he unable to sit still, he was doing donkey kicks at his spot. Ms Kay knew this was going to sidetrack her plan [...]
