Developing

the Genius Within the Heart

An Integrative Curriculum for K-5 Physical Education Programs

MISSION STATEMENT:

Wellness Through Movement is dedicated to enriching children’s potential and wellbeing through the power of mind/body awareness and intelligence of the heart.

THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

To raise the level, depth, and breadth of public dialogue and awareness on core issues of developing genius, heart, character and wellness in children and to enhance a deeper sense of self, through physical education classes, for children’s life challenges.

THE METHOD USED:

Enriches dimensions and dynamics of how the body’s musculoskeletal movements to broaden awareness and strengthen the bridge between children’s psychological and physical states. Through experience of the innate nature of their mind (versus the “stand and deliver” method of teaching) and how their attitudes, actions and alignment all affect each other.  Children explore psychological (intra-personal and inter-personal), sociological and cultural concepts through physical movement.

INTRODUCTION:

The Wellness Through Movement: Developing the Genius Within K-5 curriculum is designed to inspire young children to reach their full potential not only in their school’s physical education program but in all areas of learning and life. Lessons involve the whole child, integrating sensory, motor, visual and cognitive areas of the brain and body similar to how the nature of the brain assimilates information. Our program was developed based on the belief that wellness begins within body, that physical wellbeing is so interlaced with mental and emotional health they cannot be separated. How we perceive directly affects our bodies, minds and emotions.

Research regarding what educators, students and parents want from education reveals the following: educators want engaged and effective learners, focused critical thinkers, and emotionally aware students who experience and feel joy; students want to move and play, have fun and feel a sense of belonging; and parents want a healthy relationship with their children and for them to simply be happy and become all they can be. By teaching students specific movements through meaningful games and activities, the Wellness through Movement program answers these desires by empowering students to experience a shift from the conditioning of learning from the outside world to the “new” perspective from the inner world.

The connection of multiple intelligences within the body/mind and how learning does not just happen within the brain alone is well known. Individual perception forms not only according to thought, but also to spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, kinesthetic and linguistic experiences.  Wellness through Movement supports what happens when learning links with all the intelligences of the body to the brain.  It honors differences in learning by enriching each child with wonder, creativity and revealing the inherent genius within.

It is the goal of the Wellness through Movement program to give students a foundation of satisfaction, inspiration, enthusiasm and awareness and tools to function optimally throughout life. Its intent is to support the ancient intelligence of their spirit (heart) and awaken their senses via a scientific sequence of movements for mind/body awareness. Through multifaceted experiential lessons, the students will experience greater concentration, curiosity and love of learning that will serve them in all their other subjects, extracurricular activities and most importantly, help them discover their true potential in any and all areas of their lives.

“Our future is our children.” -Earl Bakken

METHODOLOGY:

The Wellness through Movement program lessons are designed to be thirty to forty-five minutes in length and delivered twice a week. The lessons will be based upon a virtue of the month such as “respect,” trust,” “courage” or “listening.” These concepts will be explored through games and activities that utilize highly researched specific movements that encourage sensorimotor learning. For example, “Gecko Crawl” would be utilized for the lesson on “courage” because it is one of the most primary movements the body/mind needs to enhance power, locomotion and alignment for the lower body. Music and relevant props will be used to facilitate awareness of sensations and generate students’ participation and enthusiasm.

The instructor participates in all the activities and gently guides the children, always being aware of and encouraging different learning styles. The “Three A’s” (action, attitude, and alignment) should be incorporated into all aspects of each lesson. “Action” translates all concepts into action through dynamic instruction, inspiring curiosity with lively presentation of the material. “Attitude” suggests how thoughts and feelings encourage positive or negative effects on posture and choices. “Alignment” means sensing how our posture teaches awareness of ourselves, our thinking and feeling, and how it can affect our behavior.

ASSESSMENT MEASURES:

• Does the child demonstrate more patience, calmness, creativity, and cooperation?
• Does the child resort to tools for their body to calm their mind?
• Does the child feel more balanced emotionally and physically?
• Is the child more innovative in problem solving?
• Has the child’s attention and participation improved?
• Has the child’s test scores and academics improved?

GENERAL LEARNER OUTCOMES SUPPORT:

• Safety of self and others
• Higher IQ scores
• Self esteem
• Listening skills and communication
• Tools for problem solving
• Decrease violent tendencies
• Social character
• Moral character

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & NATIONAL
PHYSICAL EDUCATION STANDARDS SUPPORT

• Understand variety of rules that keep people safe play etiquette by increased spatial awareness and team building
• Increased motor skills, balance and coordination
• Understand social and emotional benefits to physical activities by increasing the innate drive for exercise
• Fitness and conditioning activities for increased cardiovascular endurance
• Increased pulmonary capacity and calms nervous system
• Basic locomotor skills alone, with a partner and in small groups e.g. hopping, skipping, jumping, running.
• Basic non-locomotor skills e.g. twisting, pushing, pulling
• Manipulative skills e.g. throwing, catching, striking, kicking
• Basic movement concepts and control e.g. changes direction, space, time, effort and relationship in traveling
• Physical activities e.g. locomotor or chasing and fleeing activities
  

WELLNESS & HEALTH TOOLS

• Improves ways of learning
• Increased awareness of the body and how to use the body to calm the brain
• Resort to personal tools to decreased hyperactivity and anxiety
• Increased curiosity and attention
• Increased innovation and creativity
• Increased respect and appreciation for uniqueness and differences of self and others
• Improved self & body image
• Strengthen immune system & metabolism
• Decrease urges for substance abuse
• Identify healthy behaviors and impact on personal health
• Be able to express needs and wants in healthy ways
• Respond to unwanted threatening or dangerous situations

MOST IMPORTANT: SUPPORTS FUN!

For more information on dates/times, locations
and registration, email Catherine Mitchell at
info@feldenkraisinterest.com.

Mahalo.