Rest and Relaxation

R & R is Essential for Creativity

Julie Lusk, writes in her Mind Body Help blog the significance of relaxation, including its connection to creativity. Albert Einstein’s quote, “Play is the best research” states this beautifully. According to Julie, “relaxing muscular tension is important to clearing away the mental ruckus and emotional debris to make room for clear thinking.” Good thought Julie!

Recess is Really Important!

Study shows the importance of recess during the school day

Linda Ebbing writing for the Middletown Journal cites how vitally important recess is for elementary students. Burned off energy, better behavior, improved concentration, improved motor skills, enhanced social-emotional skills, and better attention are a few benefits mentioned.

Recess breaks as short as ten minutes improve children’s learning efficiency according to Catherine L. Ramstetter who conducted a comprehensive review of literature regarding recess throughout the United States.

Many schools have dropped recess to devote more time preparing for tests to meet NCLB mandates. If that is true in your school district, go to the school board and insist on Daily Physical Education and morning and afternoon recess! Read the Peaceful Playgrounds blog for more recess-related information.

Learning Challenges Unfold

When physical movement is put on hold…

Writer’s block, reading delays, LD, ADD, ADHD, and a host of other learning and behavioral challenges can result from lack of movement.

Examples include a fetus frozen by excess stress in the uterus, C-section babies who fail to exert themselves during birth, infants lying on their back or trapped in a car seat, baby swing or playpen for extended periods, young children deprived of plenty of robust play, young learners sitting in their desks doing endless worksheets rather than learning concept through frequent sensory and motor activities, lack of repetitions writing, talking, reading, and primary reflexes (e.g., ATNR, STNR, grasp, spinal gallant) not integrated through repeated physical movement… the list goes on.

Daily Physical Education, morning and afternoon recess, and multiple movement opportunities during each class period will engage the body brain, helping resolve some of these learning issues taking root in body tissues. For more severe learning delays a more focused, remedial physical approach is needed to mature neural networks, helping people realize their living and learning potential. Movement is key!

Intelligence of Play (video)

Real playing is how real learning takes place!

Building the foundation of intelligence through play is the subject of a videotaped interview with Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of Magical Child. Permanent neural patterning involved in learning is established through play. The absorbent mind of the child, observing and becoming part of the universe builds the child’s identity and connection to the world through thought, feeling and action. This happens through play.

Other videos and articles related to play, learning and intelligence are available on the Touch the Future website.

Autism Games

Use play for social, emotional and sensory motor development

Tahirih Bushey has developed a playful site full of articles and fun videos showing how to play with an autistic child. Autism Games shows a variety of effective ways to use play to build language and boost attention. Sensory and motor skills are being developed through repetition. Visit Tahirih’s blog and enjoy her engaging ways to help autistic children "regulate emotions… navigate the social world… and interact in the physical world.”

Get Serious About Play

Joyful, energizing, creative play boosts physical, mental and social skills

Stuart Brown’s research shared on TED website, speaks convincingly about plays involvement with human development and intelligence. It’s time we get serious about play, regardless of age. Watch this delightful video.

Build the Body Brain with Robust Play

Adaptive Indoor Physical Activities for Young Children are Fantastic Fun!

Toolbox Parenting, tips for tough kids… provides hundreds of helpful ways to develop your children’s mental and physical well-being. Jodee Kulp and her team offer sensory-motor developmental activities for kids indoors.

Rather than sitting in front of the TV or computer, actively playing creates new body and brain cell connections needed to live and learn vibrantly. Want your children to be robust… vigorous, full-bodied play is key.

Turn to FUN for Childhood Development

FUNsical Fitness Keeps the Body Brain Movin’ n Improvin’

Scott Liebler, originator of Silly-cise and Adventurobics has developed a progressive series of super fun movement activities for children ages 2 to 5. FUNsical activities playfully help children mature their kinesthetic, visual and auditory systems through rhythm, dance, dramatic role-play, vocalization and humor. Children love it!

http://www.funsicalfitness.com/ describes Scott’s imaginative program that has proven effective, developing language comprehension and speaking skills. Strength, balance, gross motor and rhythmic skills are built to foster academic, as well as social-emotional success.

Scott Liebler’s activities give parents, educators, coaches, therapists and medical professionals an effective means to help young children maximize their learning potential through play -- nothing works better!

Wishing You a White Christmas -- Song

Happy Holidays to you and your family

http://aroundmd.com/whitechristmas/ Click, turn up the sound, sit back and enjoy!

Jeff

http://bongobells.blogspot.com/2006/12/santa-and-his-reindeer-sing-white.html more holiday fun!