Lessons
Level 2 Lesson 1: Criss Cross and Noodling the Movement
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is Crossing the Midline?
Topic 3: What Does It Look Like and Why Is It Important for the Classroom?
Topic 4: What Is Motor Planning?
Topic 5: What Does Motor Planning Look Like and How Do We Strengthen It?
Topic 6: Wrap-Up
Topic 7: Reading & References
Lesson 1 Quiz: Crossing the Midline and Motor Planning
Level 2 Lesson 2: I Hear Ya and I See Ya!
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: Language & Auditory Awareness
Topic 3: Visual Awareness
Topic 4: How Do They Transfer to the Classroom & How Can We Strengthen Them?
Topic 5: Wrap-Up
Topic 6: Reading & References
Lesson 2 Quiz: Visual and Auditory Awareness
Level 2 Lesson 3: Where Am I & How Much of Me Is There?
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is Body Awareness?
Topic 3: What Does Poor Body Awareness Look Like & How Can I Help?
Topic 4: What is Spatial Awareness?
Topic 5: What Does Poor Spatial Awareness Look Like & How Do They Both Transfer to the Classroom?
Topic 6: Wrap-Up
Topic 7: Reading & References
Lesson 3 Quiz: Body and Spatial Awareness
Level 2 Lesson 4: Up, Down, Let's Stomp, Stomp, Clap!
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: Directional Awareness
Topic 3: How Is It Transferred to the Classroom, What Does It Look Like and How Can I Help?
Topic 4: Temporal Awareness
Topic 5: How Is It Transferred to the Classroom, What Does It Look Like and How Can I Help?
Topic 6: Wrap-Up
Topic 7: Reading & References
Lesson 4 Quiz: Directional and Temporal Awareness
Level 2 Lesson 5: Hands & Arms Do More Than Throw a Ball
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is Grip Strength?
Topic 3: Why Is It Important, What Does It Look Like and How Can I Help?
Topic 4: What Is Upper Body Strength?
Topic 5: Why Is It Important, What Does It Look Like and How Can I Help?
Topic 6: What Is Eye-Hand Coordination?
Topic 7: Why Is It Important, What Does It Look Like and How Can I Help?
Topic 8: Wrap-Up
Topic 9: Reading & References
Lesson 5 Quiz: Grip, Upper Body Strength and Eye_Hand Coordination
Level 2 Lesson 6: Legs, Jacks and Trees
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is Lower Body Strength?
Topic 3: Why Is It Important and How Do We Strengthen It?
Topic 4: What Is Bilateral Movement and Why Is It Important?
Topic 5: What Is Balance and How Can I Help?
Topic 6: Wrap-Up
Topic 7: Reading and References
Lesson 6 Quiz: Lower Body, Bilateral Movement and Balance
Level 2 Lesson 7: Tips & Tricks
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is It Like Working in a School or on Your Own?
Topic 3: Behavior Control, Digging Deeper
Topic 4: Class Flow and Transitions
Topic 5: The Art of Anticipation
Topic 6: Wrap-Up
Topic 7: References
Lesson 7 Quiz: Tips and Tricks
Level 2 Lesson 8: Level 2 Games
Final Quiz: Pivot to Play Certified™ Coach

Topic 6: Wrap-Up

Now that we have examined all of the strengths and skills, let’s put this all in a big picture and see where kids are today. We know they are under more pressure to perform academically and we know they spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a screen for both school and pleasure. We know they have traded big body play for more sedentary activities. So how does this impact the development of these essential Pivot to Play strengths and skills and ultimately destabilizing the Pivot to Play Learning Pyramid?

Let’s consider what previous generations did in play, work, and free time. We climbed trees, built forts, and played classic games like Kick the Can. At the playground, our swings had really long chains so we could swing extremely high. We had merry-go-rounds and climbing structures on the playground. We had to take the trash out to the curb. We punched our siblings and then rough-housed with them. We didn’t just dabble in these activities occasionally. Instead, these activities were the center of our day, around which everything else revolved.

If we take these activities from the past and put them in the Pivot to Play Strengths and Skills System, we can mark off every single box. Through this big body play we were building our perceptual motor skills, sensory skills, strengths, and necessary other skills that allowed us to behave and attend. We had the strength, endurance, and balance we needed to sit comfortably in a chair to read and write. We had heavy chores that helped us build our proprioceptive system,  perceptual motor skills, and general strength. 

We were doing what our bodies craved: big body play. And through that play, we were achieving classroom success further up the Pivot to Play Learning Pyramid.

What happens if we put activities that today’s kids do in free time and work time in the Strengths and Skills System? It is a vastly different picture. As a matter of fact, worksheets don’t really build grip strength, but I felt like something should be checked on this side of the chart. Other than that, the system is empty. What too many children do in leisure and work time does nothing to build these crucial skills.

We are doing a disservice to kids when we ask them to sit more than move. It demonstrates clearly why kids have challenges academically and behaviorally. It shows why kids are weaker than they have ever been.

And it shows how movement can change all of that.

To wrap up Level 2 there are more tips and tricks to help you manage kids successfully and build your new business.  Though we may have finished looking at the Pivot to Play™ Strengths and Skills, there is a lot more to making fun smart so we will dive more deeply into the Pivot to Play™ Learning Pyramid in Levels 3 and 4, examining everything from mindfulness, the social-emotional impact of play, risk, unstructured play, primitive reflexes and more.  

Who knew big body play was so important?  We did!  And we are going to continue to inspire you to create programs where Fun is Smart™!