A Moving Child Is a Learning Child: How the Body Teaches the Brain to Think (Birth to Age 7)

by Gill Connell, Cheryl McCarthy

In order to learn, kids’ need to move! Grounded in best practices and current research, this hands-on resource connects the dots that link brain activity, movement, and early learning. The expert authors unveil the Kinetic Scale: a visual map of the active learning needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary graders that fits each child’s individual timetable.

 Teachers, parents, and caregivers will find a wealth of information, actionable tips, and games they can use to support children’s healthy development—all presented in a lively, full-color format with demonstrative diagrams and photos. A final section offers easy-to-implement activities geared to the Kinetic Scale.

Downloadable digital content includes printable charts, games, and activities from the book plus a PowerPoint presentation for professional development, parent handouts, and bonus activities. An ideal tool for coaches, mentors, and trainers.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education, Professional Development, Teaching, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! I was able to dig through this book deeply over just two days. I found the science and research between a moving body, a thinking brain quite fascinating!! I cannot wait to apply in an academic setting. What you think is “play” is LEARNING!!

[CharityJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource book for anyone that works with young children or wants to understand their own child's development.

[Angie Gajewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for early childhood educators. I read this for a grad class, but I will continue to use it as a resource for teaching. I love that the author as provided many easy to follow lessons too.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as the text for my summer grad school course on movement and learning, and it has useful info about how automaticity in movement leads to more effective education for children, as well as strategies for incorporating more movement throughout the day in the classroom

[Laura Schubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on the whys and hows of keeping kids moving in early childhood. Must-read for anyone who has kids under the age of 7 at home.

[Haley Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of digestible facts, stories, suggestions about the magic that is childhood development and growth
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"It's very well reported that within the first years of childhood, approximately 90 percent of the neural pathways in the brain will be set for life" (7)
"The floor is a child's first, best playground-- an experimental laboratory for learning" (13)
The concept of containerizing children
"Repition helps the brain learn to move the muscles automatically-- one of the brain's biggest priorities in the early years" (17)
"...personal, sensory experience with real apples..." (20)
"About 90 percent of the brain's neural connections are in place by age five" (22)
3 major types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic
"When children reach deep into exploration-- so deep they don't realize they're about to pour soda all over themselves-- you are witnessing inspiration awakening deep in the mind" (56)
Four steps of sensory learning: 1) recognition 2) association 3) judgment 4) response (65)
Babies need lots of visual stimulation (69)
"be a purposeful noisemaker" (73)
"Messy play is a dramatic expression of that power, because the child sees big changes of her own making as she physically transforms herself and the space around her" (81)
Body mapping and body design (92)
The body-brain relationship and how we can make our bodies do things that make us calm (92)
Always push children to learn and explore new things (103)
Midlines: front-back, left-right, top-bottom (109)
Imagine we have glue that makes [hands] stuck to [knees]... how would we [walk]?! (115)
Now is all children know. Help them to understand time (125)
Do "minute" activities... wiggle for a minute, run for a minute, kisses in a minute (128)
Play traffic game to teach children to modify their movements: forward, backward, in a circle, smooth, jerky, zigzag, curvy, high, low, strong, etc (133)
Expierience plus language equals understanding (140)
Active listening and engagement is so important (148)
Play "How many ways can you say ____?" ex. Yes, please... how would it sound if a cow said it? How would it sound if you were a truck driver? (151)
"We all have a sense of rhythm unique to ourselves-- an awareness and responsiveness to the flow of music, and, more broadly, the rhythms of our world" (155)
Music is an incredible teaching tool (158)
Play a magic door activity where you walk through a magic door, and then...! (196)
"Jumping, hopping, leaping, skipping, and other gravity-defying movements are powerful demonstrations of physical control and emotional self-regulation" (223)
Role play is so fun (226)
Children should have lots of barefoot fun (231)
Children can work out "complex emotional concepts" with dolls/action figures (245)
"Be a chatterbox; be a storyteller; read, read, read!; be a bookaholic; be enthusiastic; make up stories; encourage improvisation; sing!; use sound effects; put on shows; cuddle" (249)
"True play has no agenda and no rules" (259)

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for a closer look at child development. You get a glimpse at ages and stages with loads of activities to do. I used a song from this book on my ukulele (to the tune of "Wheels on the Bus") and I talked to the parents about midlines as we did some yoga poses in storytime. I actually bought this book because it's such a great developmental resource.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If children and their parental interactions only occur on social media will they be able to move and use their body to learn? This book as bubbled on the front cover - "How he Body Teaches the Brain to Think?" Please move more than just a swipe!!

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this one and loved the approach and suggestions. Recommended for those who work with young children.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, almost like a text book, easy fast read but very informative.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would return to this text if I were working with kids 7 or under.

[Cecile · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book and find strategies for my little mover, but the evolutionary nonsense ruined it.

[Meghan Briscoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook for summer PD course. Interesting information. Just not a fan of textbooks

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and its follow-up are great. Loads of information on early childhood development in easy to read language and format. These books were easier to understand than others on similar topics and the concrete activities and print outs are useful for spreading the word about movement and its links to learning.

[Sarah Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a therapist who works with kids with learning difficulties and developmental delays, I could not agree with the authors more! They take some very complex concepts about the neurology of learning and make them easily digestible for parents, teachers, and therapists alike. I think anyone working with small children, especially those with special needs, needs to read this book!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This would have been a good book to read when I had a small baby. There were some interesting ideas on learning and development, but a few statements that were quite off-putting (like you're stunting your child's development if you own a car seat, stroller and baby carrier?!?)

[J. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read. We hear all the time about childhood obesity. I didnt realize how important physical activity is to brain development too. And, the book is full of great ideas. I really like the motorvators, quick ways to add more activity to your day. Highly recommend.

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational and inspiring. Through helpful tips, diagrams, and activities this book gives parents a better understanding of their child and how to raise them. Organized in a neat and logical manner, any adult should read this book in order to be a parent to their full potential.

[Mickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for those who live with, work with or love small humans.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good ideas for OT activities in the clinic and for home programs.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read this cover to cover, but the information is invaluable. Great for parents, people working with children, and anyone who enjoys being around kids. Little brains are so extraordinary!