Teaching With The Body In Mind

Dec 10 2024 99 ep. 21 mins 8
Teaching With The Body In Mind Podcast artwork

Each week, Mike, Tom, Ross, and Joey reflect on the connection between moving and thinking. The discussions remind us that teachers should be supporting children's bodies as well as their minds.

  Education  Kids & Family
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TWTBIM_0312 Flow

Dec 10 2024 23 mins  
Tom reflects on whether children achieve flow states in their play. According to a recent article--that, of course, Tom read--flow occurs when someone has expertise that allows them to release conscious control and go on autopilot. Do children have the expertise required to create flow? Mike argues that children achieve flow in play, which is their area of expertise. The conversati

TWTBIM_0311 Collective Energy

Dec 03 2024 24 mins  
As a follow up to recent talks about energy levels, Ross invites us to look at the collective energy created by groups of children. It's hard to pinpoint the source of this energy and what makes it shift. Things can quickly turn from joyful noise to chaos. What is the impact of timing, friendships or tensions within the group? Mike cites a perfect example of "collective energy" fro

TWTBIM_0310 Cave and Treehouse

Nov 26 2024 22 mins  
Mike leads a discussion about environments that support children when they are upset. Some children will need "caves" while others need "treehouses." Tom observes that children can also create their own spaces for regulation within the classroom. Ross wonders, can you have a treehouse in a cave?

TWTBIM_0309 Relax

Nov 19 2024 20 mins  
Do children have the right to relax? How do we set the atmosphere to allow for relaxation? Does it work when we tell children, "I need you to relax"? Maybe we all need to learn how to play the ukele so we have something to do while children play.

TWTBIM_0308 Real Play

Nov 05 2024 23 mins  
A garden gleaning results in thrilling play experiences in Joey's classroom. If squash and potatoes can be this exciting, what other ways can we include real experiences for children? Tom recalls logs and leaves in the sensory table and Mike shares a story of a piano in the play yard. Ross reminds us that offering real tools and authentic materials provides a chance to build trust

TWTBIM_0307 Cute Aggression

Oct 29 2024 19 mins  
Get ready to feel smart as Tom teaches us the science behind cute aggression. How does the urge to squeeze something cute help us stay regulated? Mike is reminded of favorite books that depict this dimorphous emotion--from the Where the Wild Things Are to More, More, More Said the Baby. Mike and Ross show off their brain chemistry knowledge. Perhaps cute aggression also has a role

TWTBIM_0306 I Don't Want Help

Oct 22 2024 20 mins  
Depsite our goal to create communities where everyone helps, sometimes offers of help can create conflict in the classrrom. Ross shares a recent example during block clean up. Mike has seen "help" with puzzle assembly lead to similar conflicts. Thinking of ways that we do (and don't) like to receive help in our own work can give some insights. Joey wonders if the word "help" leaves

TWTBIM_0305 Moved by Emotions

Oct 15 2024 20 mins  
Mike taps into his knowledge of Latin for a conversation about emotion, which at the root means "moving out." What do we do when emotions move children in the classroom? We can take on the role of "inner voice" and guide childrens' responses to their feelings. Sometimes words get in the way and the thing to do is give time and space for feelings. We also come with our own emotions,

TWTBIM_0304 Nerd Takeover (Part 3)

Oct 08 2024 19 mins  
In the final installment of the conversation with That Early Childhood Nerd, talk turns to care at the center of teaching practice. We are working to build communities that show care for one another--teachers and children. The hope is that our work inspires people waiting on airport lines at some future time--they will be kind and helpful! Ross searches for his trademark metaphor

TWTBIM_0303 Nerd Takeover! (Part 2)

Oct 01 2024 19 mins  
The conversation with Heather Bernt-Santy from That Early Childhood Nerd picks up from last time. The group reminisces acout learning from Tom's classic video clips before returning to the topic of honoring childhood. How do we honor the child who is not like everyone else? Where do nurture and care fit in when we are often so focused on teaching and learning?