Movement is not misbehavior! Current policies in the early childhood
field ask teachers to treat children as though they exist from the neck
up--even though research clearly demonstrates that the mind-body
connection is vital to development. Rae Pica, founder and director of
Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting and author of the Moving and Learning
series, advocates for active learning, not only because it's
developmentally appropriate but because doing so promotes a calmer,
friendlier, and less challenging learning environment.
Section I provides theory, research, and language to advocate for active
learning. Section II offers suggestions on how to update learning
environments, and Rae offers some of her own past missteps in hopes that
readers will be able to learn from her mistakes. Section III contains
200 ready-to-use movement activities that can be easily implemented into
the day. Most require no materials, and every activity includes a
"Curriculum Connection," so readers can understand and clearly explain
why the children aren't "just playing."