Boosting CLL through Music, Drama, and Role-Play Music and Drama Education Expo London– March 2019

‘In the beginning…there was movement…’ Why Move?   ‘In the beginning…there was movement…’ Movement is instrumental in the formation of the brain and subsequently each repetitive movement strengthens neural pathways, cementing communication between the body and the brain.

22% in reception and 32% in KS2 Y5/6. Let’s look at the data:   Most recent studies suggest that 12% of children arrive at nursery overweight or obese and this figure is rising. 22% in reception and 32% in KS2 Y5/6. (The National Childhood Measurement Programme)

Boosting CLL 80% of communication is non verbal. Therefore this must be supported through awareness of the body. In a recent study ??????? of UK 4 year olds are NOT getting enough Physical Development in their daily lives. This will affect all their developmental areas. (School of sport, exercise and health sciences, Loughborough University)

Kinaesthetic Classroom Turn your space into a Kinaesthetic Classroom

What do you think of when you hear ‘dance’?

Why does dancing/movement make us happy?   Endorphins are released which make us feel happy Freedom of self expression Self confidence in our actions Our bodies are designed to move Increased blood flow around the body and to the brain Increased serotonin levels

Dancing makes us smile!

How can we increase physical activity levels? Increase outdoor play opportunities Ensure activities are inclusive Provide exciting stimuli Be more active yourself – it will impact on your work ! Music enhances mood

Physical activity presents a physiological stress to the brain that, when balanced with recovery, promotes adaptation and growth, preserves brain function, and enables the brain to respond to future challenges (Mattson 2004).

Listening and attention: communication and literacy Using a movement approach to learning, children will engage in role-play to music and create dialogue according to the situation. They also link language with physical movement in action songs, rhymes, role play and practical experiences. Listening to a story activates parts in a child's brain that allows them to turn the story into their own ideas and experience thanks to a process called Neural Coupling. Creating movement to the story will support memory development (episodic) and make it easier to remember with accuracy.

Should this play be adult lead or child initiated? Dramatic play (sole), socio-dramatic play (interactive) make-believe play, pretend play, role play, imaginative play.   Should this play be adult lead or child initiated?

Why is pretend play so important? Recent studies show children who withdraw from socio-dramatic play are more likely to develop social anxiety, loneliness, depression and negative self-esteem in later childhood and adolescence.

Role Play: Role-play is an important context in which children expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. Through their play, children express themselves with confidence and find out what it may be like to be in someone else’s shoes. In the early years dramatic play is closely connected to everyday lives. Children will talk and act out past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members.

“What we are, teaches the the child far more than what we say, so we must be what we want our children to become.” Joseph Chilton Pearce

Esther Andrews (author – How to develop your child’s genius) PSHE ‘The most intelligent person will not achieve more than his/her confidence allows’ Esther Andrews (author – How to develop your child’s genius)

@musicandmove @musicandmovementdance www.musicandmovement.org.uk Helen@musicandmovement.org.uk