Movement Education Presentation by Erin Leduc & Ines Knospe

Objective Movement Education: -Definition -Foundations -Core activities and their specific definition -Concepts involved -General objectives of teaching ME -Methods of teaching -Advantages for the child/ student

Movement Movement is the architect of the brain. We begin life moving in relationship with others. The way a baby is touched and handled exchanges rhythms of behavior, culture, and communication. As an infant moves and is moved, the body and mind work together to build a non-verbal understanding of life.

Definition of Movement Education Movement education, which originated in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was the first distinct new style to develop in PE after the traditional command-oriented multi-activity approach. This new approach to elementary school physical education is called "movement education." Movement education uses -problem-solving -guided-discovery -and exploratory methods, with the effect of individualizing learning in physical education.

Movement Education was originally based on the movement analysis wheel which has been modified over the years. The three activities that form the core of dance, games and gymnastics also form the base of the movement analysis wheel. Foundations of Movement Education

–Locomotor activities –Manipulative activities –Nonmanipulative activities Core activities of Movement Analysis Wheel

Definition of Locomotor activities Children learn to apply attributes such as curved, zigzag, large/ small, far/ near, etc. to their movement. Overall children learn about where the body moves/ space awareness. Locomotor activities are: -Walking -Skipping -Running

Definition of Manipulative activities Children learn to apply attributes such as slow, fast, light, strong, etc. to their movement. Overall children learn how and with what effort the body moves. Manipulative activities are: -Catching -Dribbling -Kicking

Definition of Nonmanipulative activities Children learn to apply attributes such as around, along side, mirroring/ matching, etc. to their movement. Overall children learn about relationships between people and objects Nonmanipulative activities are: -Jumping/ Landing -Twisting -Turning.

Concepts involved in Movement Education -body awareness and skills -the space in which the body moves -the effort or quality of body movement -the relationships among body parts, individuals, groups, and objects Movement concept by Rudolf Laban,

General objectives of teaching Movement Education Success Everyone has a chance to succeed at his/her own rate so as to experience success. Activity for all Everyone should be working purposefully throughout the lesson, thus preventing waiting children and line standing. Contribution by all Everyone has a chance to contribute through inventiveness, use of imagination, initiative, and lively ideas.

Methods of teaching used in Movement Education Direct Method –Teacher centered –Teacher structures the lesson –Teacher chooses the activities and prescribes what and how each child shall perform Advantages of this teaching method are: 1.Allows the teacher to introduce specific skills or rules to all the children at the same time 2. Simple method to teach safety concepts 3. Ideal method to observe the class for assessment Disadvantages of this teaching method are: 1.Method does not encourage developing initiative and self-direction (one major objective)

Methods of teaching used in Movement Education Limitation Method –Teacher designs the lesson –In addition problems are given to the student that may have several correct responses. For example: "Find a way to balance on three body parts". Advantages of this teaching method are: 1.Some direction are still given by the teacher 2.Child/ student is not stifled 3.Method provides for differences in physical ability 4.General response will fall within certain limits for evaluative purposes

Methods of teaching used in Movement Education Indirect Method –Child/ student has the opportunity to choose the activity or movement to be practiced Advantages of this teaching method are: 1.Recognizes individual differences in abilities & interests 2.Encourages initiative and self-direction 3.Gives the teacher the opportunity to learn about his/her students

Advantages for child/ students Movement Education improves the following: –Positive self image & confidence (slanted rope) –Critical thinking –Creativity –Self-responsibility –Enjoyment of class –Social interaction –OK to arrive at answers in different ways or have multiple answers –Students articulate, defend, refine, and adjust their own strategies to solve problems.

Be a great teacher, use Movement Education Use music to start/stop activity Lead students to solutions, don’t give answers Maximize activity time Stress the affective domain, personal growth, and creativity Acknowledge students behaving well

Knowledge Check 1. Success 2.Activity for all 3.Contribution by all 1.Body awareness 2.Space 3.Effort 4.Relationships What are the main objectives of teaching Movement Education: What are the four concepts involved in Movement Education:

Conclusion Movement is one of the fundamentals to human development and Movement Education forms a major cornerstone of Physical Education, sports and activities.

PowerPoint presentation online at: education/

Bibliography Articles: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of School Administrators (114th, New Orleans, LA, February 26- March 1, 1982) Books: Children and Movement, Physical Education in the Elemantary School. Jennifer Wall, 1990 Teaching Movement Education: foundations for active lifestyles, Karen Weiller Abels, 2010 Movement activities for places and space, Carolyn J. Rasmus, 1977/1983 Movement Education for pre-school children, Maida L. Riggs (Editor), 1980 Internet sites: