Focus on learning
The Move to Learn programme maps its exercises to the hierarchical development of primitive reflex integration.
A floor-based movement approach to learning concerns Mary Mountstephen looks at programmes for physical and cognitive development The early years in school are critical in providing firm foundations for learning, and it seems that increasing numbers of children now are causing concern in terms of learning readiness and classroom behaviour. Why do they have difficulty with focus, expressive and receptive language, fine motor skills and self-help skills? Can it all be ‘blamed’ on modern life styles, busy parents and overreliance on technology, or are there less obvious contributory factors? Regardless, there are implications for schools to consider in terms of interventions that are time- and costeffective, and measurable in terms of impact. Here I outline one programme that produces positive results in schools internationally, through practising early movement activities in a structured, systematic and sequential process, carried out on a daily basis as a whole class activity. This approach revisits the physical experiences that infants typically engage in on a daily basis and that may contribute to overall physical and cognitive development. Winter
Summer |
| 2017
Why isn’t Alfie doing better? Alfie (age 7) is struggling to concentrate in class activities, producing poorly organised and presented written work with an awkward pencil grip, and growing increasingly frustrated and emotional both at home and in class. His teacher has provided resources to help him produce neater writing and to help with reading, but progress remains slow. He presents as a child of at least average ability, whose performance is not in line with perceptions of his potential. He is well supported at home by busy working parents and has a younger sister who is performing to expectations. There are no obvious reasons for his difficulties. A regular optician has tested his eyesight and there are no concerns about his hearing. From a developmental perspective, it is possible that Alfie’s difficulties may be partly related to early experiences that have left him underprepared for the classroom. He may be a child whose early physical development was compromised by pregnancy, birth trauma and/or early movement experiences that are
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