Introducing 'Movement Time Mornings' & 'Brain Breaks'!

This week at the Academy we introduced ‘Movement Time Mornings’ & ‘Brain Breaks’. First thing in the morning, students will participate in fifteen minutes of stretching and selected movements led by their classroom teachers to shift their focus from their busy morning routines to their learning journey.  Also during the course of the day students will have shorter 5-minute breaks before lessons to help them transition to new tasks.

The connection between physical exercise and mental clarity is not new, but it seems researchers have explored the benefits deeper and have been able to specifically pinpoint how it promotes brain cell growth related to learning. The benefits of taking these physical breaks during the day are invaluable to young minds. Movement provides students a sensory outlet, increases alertness, and optimizes brain functioning leading to better attention and improved memory. 

Young children learn best by doing, and doing requires movement. If understood and embraced by the education system, the typical classroom with one teacher standing and all students seated at their desks, should become is a thing of the past.  Imagine students mastering their multiplication tables while standing on a balance board or reciting poetry while jogging on the spot. Sounds fun, doesn't it?

As often as possible we hope to integrate movement into our lessons to continue to provide a dynamic learning environment where students are able to understand their own learning style and teachers can tailor appropriate methodologies for each learner. 

If you would like to learn more about movement and the brain, may we suggest a book by Dr. John Ratey called Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Education and the Brain. More about his work can be found at www.johnratey.com.

Jennifer Ireland Chadam

Head of Communications and Development

Learn Different

The Importance of Play! by Bianca Ravi, Occupational Therapist

The two primary occupations for a child are to play and learn. Children learn best through play as it provides them with a medium to explore their world and make sense of their surroundings. Children learn and grow through play; it promotes physical development (gross and fine motor skills, in hand manipulation skills, balance and sensory integration), cognitive development (logic and reasoning, visual/spatial skills, language skills), creative skills (aesthetic appreciation, creative expression, risk taking and initiative, flexibility and relaxation) and social and emotional development (interaction skills, autonomy and independence, positive self-esteem and self-expression).

Ways to engage a child in play

• choose an item that they are motivated to play with (e.g. a favourite toy) and use this as a starting point. You can begin by making a conversation about the toy e.g. the cat likes to sit on the grass and lick his fur...and see if the child will add to that.

• messy play is also another really good medium for children to learn about themselves and their world; allow your child to do some finger painting, get some sponges and do some painting with sponges or different materials such as old brushes and see what the child can create!

• allow the child to play outside as much as possible, climbing up ladders, through tunnels, as this will not only develop motor skills but also encourages sequencing skills.

• If a child is experiencing difficulty with imaginative play, play dress up and begin to create different characters and then stories with the child

• maintain a light and positive affect in your voice to keep the child interested and willing to continue playing

Lastly, remember that there is not much that you can do wrong by playing with your child as any interaction they have with other people and their environment is going to foster their development.