Readiness for Learning - Developmental Insights

Developmental Insights for Teachers and Parents

How to teach anything: a primer on classroom management

In his 1914 book, "Teaching Gymnastics", Wellesley College professor William Skarstrom included a chapter on teaching and classroom management which I believe contains a treasure trove of wisdom and pointers for the teacher of any subject, i.e. not only the teacher of gymnastics, by any means. This lengthy article includes the last two pages from the introductory chapter, and then (with a little abridgement of gymnastics-specific material) Chapter II, presenting essentials for any teacher.

Exercises for reading and writing: painting handwriting, shaded drawing

In her chapter on “Reintroduction to Formal Work in Reading and Arithmetic” (in “The Extra Lesson”) Audrey McAllen stated: “In view of the reading methods which some children have experienced before coming to us, it is essential that a new child of any age should experience the letters as pictures.” The following two variations on exercises in “The Extra Lesson” were developed as additional approaches to this goal. I would also suggest that these two styles can be combined in a Main Lesson Book that stays with the student through the grades, i.e. as a multi-year portfolio of achievement.

Classroom Exercises to Support Learning Capacities and Readiness

The following exercises and activities are highly recommended as part of a primary grades teacher’s repertoire of ways to help every child be ready to do his or her best, every day. Experience has shown that students who receive these activities are able to move ahead more solidly. Benefits of these exercises -- if done regularly and with the indicated rhythm -- include:

• Foundations for literacy - developmental capacities for all aspects of language.

• Foundations for numeracy - the math/logical and spatial intelligences in motion.

• Readiness for deskwork - enhancing focus and attention. Setting the stage for harmonious receptivity to new material.

• Bodily/kinesthetic and spatial integration.

• Strengthening the will.

Taking Play Seriously

“Scientists who study play, in animals and humans alike, are developing a consensus view that play is something more than a way for restless kids to work off steam; more than a way for chubby kids to burn off calories; more than a frivolous luxury. Play, in their view, is a central part of neurological growth and development — one important way that children build complex, skilled, responsive, socially adept and cognitively flexible brains.” From an article titled“Taking Play Seriously” in the Feb. 17, 2008 New York Times Magazine

The hierarchy of readiness for learning: what kind of help is needed?

Whatever the signs that more help is needed, our role as adults is to thoughtfully and carefully decide what kind of individual attention is needed.

16 keys to developmental movement needs

A developmental assessment is not a measure of skills or a test of abilities; rather, we look at the interrelated areas of development that represent a child's capacities or readiness for learning.

Working with the 12 senses

Here is a lens on human development that shines new light on how parents and teachers can contribute to the healthy growth of children.

Strengthening the four lower senses

All who work with children today see that they are changing in ways that concern and even alarm us. In the preschool and kindergarten classes, we often see tired children, thin and pale...

The values of play; rough and tumble play

(Book review) In the light of continuing growth of “attention deficit” and “hyperactivity” diagnoses, one of the most important topics in this book is rough and tumble play as a necessary developmental activity, perhaps especially for boys.

Waking up to learning with copper rod exercises

Copper rod exercises can support academic progress of grade school children, including physiology that supports writing and reading; direction, rhythm and sequencing (related to math); and more!

24 movement standards for Third Grade

A guide for class teachers, phys ed teachers, and parents.

Working with the dimensions of intelligence

Multiple Intelligences theory - a more rounded picture of the human being... and a ‘reason’ to be sure a school provides plenty of movement!

At what age are children ready to begin First Grade?

What signs should a teacher look for to indicate school readiness? What should be done if a child has been placed in first grade too soon?

The teening of childhood

It should be clear that the pose the media has in mind for children - cool, tough, and sophisticated independence - is that of the teenager. The media's efforts to encourage children to identify with the independent and impulsive consumer teen - efforts that began tentatively, with Barbie -have now gone into overdrive...

A recipe for academic success

The purpose of this list is not to test anyone’s “degree of good-parent-ness” but only to summarize the many good ideas that are scattered over a wide number of books and lectures.



	Developmental Insights for Teachers and Parents How to teach anything: a primer on classroom management In his 1914 book, "Teaching Gymnastics", Wellesley College professor William Skarstrom included a chapter on teaching and classroom management which I believe contains a treasure trove of wisdom and pointers for the teacher of any subject, i.e. not only the teacher of gymnastics, by any means. This lengthy article includes the last two pages from the introductory chapter, and then (with a little abridgement of gymnastics-specific material) Chapter II, presenting essentials for any teacher. Exercises for reading and writing: painting handwriting, shaded drawing In her chapter on “Reintroduction to Formal Work in Reading and Arithmetic” (in “The Extra Lesson”) Audrey McAllen stated: “In view of the reading methods which some children have experienced before coming to us, it is essential that a new child of any age should experience the letters as pictures.” The following two variations on exercises in “The Extra Lesson” were developed as additional approaches to this goal. I would also suggest that these two styles can be combined in a Main Lesson Book that stays with the student through the grades, i.e. as a multi-year portfolio of achievement. Classroom Exercises to Support Learning Capacities and Readiness The following exercises and activities are highly recommended as part of a primary grades teacher’s repertoire of ways to help every child be ready to do his or her best, every day. Experience has shown that students who receive these activities are able to move ahead more solidly. Benefits of these exercises -- if done regularly and with the indicated rhythm -- include: • Foundations for literacy - developmental capacities for all aspects of language. • Foundations for numeracy - the math/logical and spatial intelligences in motion. • Readiness for deskwork - enhancing focus and attention. Setting the stage for harmonious receptivity to new material. • Bodily/kinesthetic and spatial integration. • Strengthening the will. Taking Play Seriously “Scientists who study play, in animals and humans alike, are developing a consensus view that play is something more than a way for restless kids to work off steam; more than a way for chubby kids to burn off calories; more than a frivolous luxury. Play, in their view, is a central part of neurological growth and development — one important way that children build complex, skilled, responsive, socially adept and cognitively flexible brains.” From an article titled“Taking Play Seriously” in the Feb. 17, 2008 New York Times Magazine The hierarchy of readiness for learning: what kind of help is needed? Whatever the signs that more help is needed, our role as adults is to thoughtfully and carefully decide what kind of individual attention is needed. 16 keys to developmental movement needs A developmental assessment is not a measure of skills or a test of abilities; rather, we look at the interrelated areas of development that represent a child's capacities or readiness for learning. Working with the 12 senses Here is a lens on human development that shines new light on how parents and teachers can contribute to the healthy growth of children. Strengthening the four lower senses All who work with children today see that they are changing in ways that concern and even alarm us. In the preschool and kindergarten classes, we often see tired children, thin and pale... The values of play; rough and tumble play (Book review) In the light of continuing growth of “attention deficit” and “hyperactivity” diagnoses, one of the most important topics in this book is rough and tumble play as a necessary developmental activity, perhaps especially for boys. Waking up to learning with copper rod exercises Copper rod exercises can support academic progress of grade school children, including physiology that supports writing and reading; direction, rhythm and sequencing (related to math); and more! 24 movement standards for Third Grade A guide for class teachers, phys ed teachers, and parents. Working with the dimensions of intelligence Multiple Intelligences theory - a more rounded picture of the human being... and a ‘reason’ to be sure a school provides plenty of movement! At what age are children ready to begin First Grade? What signs should a teacher look for to indicate school readiness? What should be done if a child has been placed in first grade too soon? The teening of childhood It should be clear that the pose the media has in mind for children - cool, tough, and sophisticated independence - is that of the teenager. The media's efforts to encourage children to identify with the independent and impulsive consumer teen - efforts that began tentatively, with Barbie -have now gone into overdrive... A recipe for academic success The purpose of this list is not to test anyone’s “degree of good-parent-ness” but only to summarize the many good ideas that are scattered over a wide number of books and lectures.





Zoo-robics and Crawl-asthenics How much creeping and crawling does it take to prepare a child for school? Many child development specialists believe that tens of thousands (perhaps as many as 50,000) crawling type steps are needed to properly myelinate the brain for academic readiness...



		Updated 7/30/2009