Putting It Into Practice
A small private school in north Idaho took it upon themselves to provide kinesthetic opportunities for the students-especially the pre-K through 6th grade children. Here's the list of outlets they provide for the kids:
Pre-K: 1 recess, 2 ME session
1st-2nd: 3 recesses, 1 ME session
3rd-6th: 3 recesses, 1 gym class, yoga balls in classroom after 3pm
7th-12th: 1 recess, 1 gym class
Pre-K: 1 recess, 2 ME session
1st-2nd: 3 recesses, 1 ME session
3rd-6th: 3 recesses, 1 gym class, yoga balls in classroom after 3pm
7th-12th: 1 recess, 1 gym class
Motor Education (ME)
Motor Education (ME) is offered to students from preschool through second grade. In the early stages, it starts off as a safe place for children to run around and play with toys. Sounds like recess, huh? Not quite. These sessions are designed for teachers to look for first signs of social and motor skills. Facilitators look to see how the children interact with each other, and how competent the child is in basic motor skills. Children can be diagnosed with any physical and mental disabilities (and helped) much sooner than a classic classroom setting would.
Yoga Balls in the Classroom
Yoga balls? In the classroom? With elementary students?? Yep. And guess what? Not only do the kids love it, but there also seems to be no downsides to the matter as well. After 3pm (the last class of the day), the classic desk chars are pulled to the walls and the yoga balls are bounced in.
Teachers report that besides the students unknowingly getting a steady core workout every day, the movement on the yoga balls helps keeps the fidgeting feet and pencil doodling at bay. Students are able to actually concentrate better and produce more intellectual thoughts with the constant physical movement.
Teachers report that besides the students unknowingly getting a steady core workout every day, the movement on the yoga balls helps keeps the fidgeting feet and pencil doodling at bay. Students are able to actually concentrate better and produce more intellectual thoughts with the constant physical movement.