Lessons
Level 1, Lesson 1: Where Are We Today?
Topic 1: Overview
Topic 2: What to expect & What is Big Body Play?
Topic 3: The State of Our Health Today
Topic 4: What is Going on?
Topic 5: How Does Play Impact Kids?
Topic 6: The Connection Between Movement and Learning
Topic 7: Wrap-Up, A Story from Kindergarten
Level 1 Lesson 1: Reading assignments & References
Level 1, Lesson 1 Foundations Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 2: Literacy, What's Physical About It?
Topic 1: Review and Introduction
Topic 2: Parents and Schools
Topic 3: Defining Physical Literacy
Topic 4: Children Love to Move
Topic 5: Putting It All Together
Topic 6: Adult Role Models and Conclusion
Topic 7: Reading Material & References
Level 1, Lesson 2: Literacy, What's Physical About It? Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 3: Did You Bring Your Six-Pack? Core Strength and a Child's Success
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 1: Introduction
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 2: The Pivot to Play Learning Pyramid
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 3: What is the Core to a Child?
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 4: A Little History & Some Engineering
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 5: What Does Core Strength Look Like in Kids Today?
Level 1, Lesson 3, Topic 6: What Does This Mean For Classroom Success?
Level 1, Lesson 3 Topic 7: Wrap -Up
Level 1, Lesson 3: Reading Material and References
Level 1, Lesson 3: Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 4: Running on Empty: Aerobic Movement and the Brain
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: Let's Start By Talking About the Brain
Topic 3: So How Does a Brain Develop?
Topic 4: What Happens to Children When They Exercise Aerobically?
Topic 5: Aerobic Movement, Behavior and Self-Control
Topic 6: What is Happening in the Brain When We Move Aerobically?
Topic 7: Reading Material and References
Level 1, Lesson 4 Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 5: Let's Spin Some Success with a Powerful Vestibular System
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What is the Vestibular System?
Topic 3: What Do a Well-Developed and a Poorly Developed Vestibular System look like?
Topic 4: How Does this Impact Classroom Success?
Topic 5: What Can Be Done to Support the Vestibular System
Topic 6: What More Can We Do?
Topic 7: Reading Material and References
Level 1, Lesson 5 Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 6: Jump, Push and Pull the Proprioceptive System into Our Tool Box
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: What Is Proprioception? How Does It Work?
Topic 3: How Is It Transferred to the Classroom, Social Skills and Development?
Topic 4: How Do We Strengthen It?
Topic 5: Putting It All Together
Topic 6: Reading and References
Level 1, Lesson 6 Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 7: Tips and Tricks: Starting Your Business & Classroom Management
Topic 1: Introduction
Topic 2: Consider the Big Picture
Topic 3: It's Not All About the Games!
Topic 4: Modeling and Communication
Topic 5: Your Lesson Plans and How to Use Them
Topic 6: Safety and the Environment in Which You Will Conduct Your Program
Topic 7: Seeing is Believing & References
Level 1, Lesson 7 Quiz
Level 1, Lesson 8: Games to Support these Strengths & Skills
Level 1 Lesson Plans: Group 1
Level 1 Lesson Plans: Group 2

Topic 3: It’s Not All About the Games!

Classroom management is the single hardest thing about this job. You will walk a very thin line between utter chaos and boring, but it is on that thin line where the magic happens. Always remember that YOU are in charge.

They are children, they will misbehave and get distracted. More than likely, you will have a limited amount of time with the children and redirecting their focus is going to be the most efficient way to keep the energy of the class under control and moving forward. Redirection tools include:

  • Reviewing the muscles they have learned
  • Give them a body part quiz, asking them to point to different body parts:
    • nose
    • toes
    • elbow
    • head
    • heel
  • Use the leading questions in the lesson plan for the activity you are about to play. Even better, ask the questions WHILE you are setting up the game.
  • Ask them to show you any yoga poses you have taught them. The best include:
    • Tree
    • Airplane (Warrior III)
    • Triangle
    • Bridge
    • Downward Facing Dog
  • Ask them quick, leading questions:
    • What is falling from the sky today (if it is raining or snowing)
    • Can you name a red fruit?
    • Can you name a green vegetable?