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Why Motor Skills
Matter
I
don’t know why the idea of mind and body as separate
entities took hold or why it’s lasted as long as it
has. But, more and more, we have evidence that this
is a false notion. And while I’m
delighted with all the research pointing to the
body’s role in cognitive development and learning,
as a children’s physical activity specialist, I feel
quite strongly that the body matters, too – that
physical development and physical fitness deserve
equal respect and attention!
Click
here to read more! |
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In Defense of Active Learning
In
the past, play and active learning were considered
key tools to
accommodate
children's developmental needs and to facilitate
their education. Today these types of lessons are
steadily disappearing.
This
is due partly to society’s long-entrenched belief
that the functions of the mind are more significant
than the functions of the body. Moreover, society
has labored for years under the misguided notion
that the mind and body are separate entities,
resulting in the determination that learning should
occur via the eyes and ears only.
Fitting Physical
Fitness into the Day
Should
the physical fitness of young children be the
concern of early childhood professionals? Or is it a
matter for the family, and the family alone, to
worry about?
Given the alarming
facts surrounding the childhood obesity crisis, the
state of children's fitness is clearly the
responsibility of all who are involved with
children.
The Link Between Recess & Academics You may
have heard that recess takes time away from
academics. Myth or reality? Let's take a look...
Movement Madness:
Keeping Kids Off the Walls!
Many
teachers and caregivers hesitate to make movement
part of their programs, because
when
they think of children and movement at the same
time, they immediately form a mental image of
children "bouncing off the walls." This is certainly
a realistic concern. Movement activities can
generate a lot of energy, and unless the instructor
has some idea of what to expect and how to deal with
all that potential energy, the "walls" will
certainly see much action.
Managing
movement activities with children must be handled
with special care. The good news is that
...
Evaluating a Preschool
As
a parent, the preschool you choose should be one
that respects childre n’s
intellectual, social/emotional, and physical needs.
This describes a traditional, play-based preschool,
as opposed to the academic-oriented education being
touted – and sought after – in today’s superkid
climate. Obviously, then, when you visit your
child’s preschool, the word play should loom
large at the top of your checklist.
How
do you know what kind of play to look for? Among
other things, a preschool in which play is a
priority will include housekeeping, dress-up, and
other dramatic-play centers that allow children to
learn about themselves and the world around them. It
will include ...
Leap into Learning: Science in Early Childhood
The word science may bring
to mind men and women in lab coats, working with
beakers, burners, and microscopes. It may prompt
memories of
concepts learned in chemistry, psychics, or
biology classes, or bring to mind such topics as
botany or astronomy. But that clearly is an
adult perception of science. And if that’s your
only perception of science, you might wonder –
rightly – what place the subject has in early
childhood.
Science for young children, however, is not
about concoctions in test tubes. It doesn’t
involve technical terms and scientific formulas.
Rather, because science is about exploration,
discovery, investigation, and problem solving,
it can be said that every young child is a
scientist...
Hop,
Skip, and Jump into the Future Once upon a
time, children were almost never indoors, preferring
to play outside; nor were they ever still for long.
They skipped and galloped, climbed trees, jumped
rope,
played
hopscotch, and rode their bicycles for blocks. They
ran screaming through each other’s yards and even
down the middle of the streets. They played touch
football, hide-and-seek, and tag. They raced each
other to the slide and swings, chased butterflies,
and got filthy rolling around on the ground. It’s no
wonder no one ever worried about them getting enough
exercise!
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Visit our Article Archive for more past articles on Moving
& Learning. Click Here. |
 
Internationally
recognized, Rae Pica is known for her lively and
informative keynote speeches and participatory workshops. If
your organization would like to join the hundreds of
others who've benefited from Rae's expertise and unique
style
click here for a list of
potential topics.
Here's what a few attendees and hosts have had to say:
"You are truly a service to all
educators. What a gift you are!"
Eric Jensen
Jensen Learning
"It was wonderful to have you as our keynote speaker. You are a terrific person, and it certainly was reflected in your presentation and commitment to children and professionals."
Hezi Aharoni, Early Childhood Chair OH Assn. for Health, Physical Education, Recreation
& Dance
"I learned so much from this training. Rae
was so funny and exciting. I wish all
trainings were as fun as this one."
Participant in Cortland NY
"You were fabulous!!!! The staff had nothing but raves
about the day....There
was positive feedback on the value of the information
you shared, but especially, on how knowledgeable you
were about your topic."
Laura Orticelle,
Health & PE Coordinator.
North Shore Schools,
Glen Head NY
-------------

You can find Rae 24/7/365
on "Body, Mind and
Child!"

Click on the BAM! Radio logo to listen to
Rae's
interviews with experts in the fields of
education, child development, play research,
the neurosciences, and more!
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Rae Pica has been a childrens
physical activity specialist since 1980. Today she is a much sought-after keynote speaker and consultant. Read More...
"You are an expert I can count on."
Paula Kun, Director of Communications
National Association for Sport & Physical Education
"You are truly a blessing to children and their
caretakers."
Chris Dreher
Napa, California
"I’ve never been this lucky to find a consultant as
effective and efficient as YOU…may we continue to
work together?"
Melanie Nelson, Owner & President
Learning ZoneXpress
"You are truly an inspiration.… I personally feel
that your efforts are so critical to healthy
children..."
Janet Shapan, Producer
LA
Talk Radio show, "Answers for the Family"
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A
Running Start: How Play, Physical
Activity, & Free Time Create a
Successful Child
In
this guide,
Rae Pica explains how the best head start we can
give our children is literally A Running Start.
New research shows it's the free time spent
interacting with the real world -- exploring the
outdoors, playing tag at recess, and inventing games
-- that helps boost creativity, confidence, and
resourceful problem-solving skills. In fact, at
young ages, highly competitive activities can
actually interfere with kids' natural development.
And when it comes to academics, starting earlier is
not better.
Practical throughout, A Running Start offers
techniques for raising a child with the right
balance of free play and structured activity. With
more than 50 "Play & Learn" ideas to nurture a
child's unique personality, A Running Start
is a guide for every parent who wants to help her or
his child succeed naturally -- with less stress,
more fun.
"I absolutely LOVED
your book--this message is so very important. There
have been a couple of other books on the subject,
but yours was better researched and covered the
topic more fully and clearly!"
Shelley Butler
Field Guide to
Parenting
"Your book reassured me that it is OK for me to let
[my daughter] be a kid and not give into the super
kid’s mentality many parents have. THANK YOU!!!!"
Melissa Warner
See Table
of Contents
Read
Introduction
Read
Reviews!
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Cross-Curricular Activities All of these
promote learning across the content areas of
literacy, math, and science!
Transition
Activities that Promote Fitness
More Tips for
Keeping Kids Off the Walls!
More Circle Games
Circles bring about a
sense of community -- of belonging -- that no other
formation offers. Whether the children are holding
hands or simply sitting side by side, the circle is
a symbol of togetherness. Use these activities to
create community at the beginning of the school
year!
Science in Early Childhood Try these fun
activities excerpted from
Jump into Science!
Tips to Get Your Family Moving In the past,
physical activity was a naturally occurring part of
the day. Today it's more likely that we have to
plan for it. Here are tips to ensure your
children are physically active.
Meaningful Mathematics These activities are
excerpted from
Jump into Math.
Making Tummy Time Fun Time...even for babies
who prefer not to be facedown!
Relax! Suggestions for promoting relaxation.
Because it's important for adults, too, don't just
encourage children to do these exercises; whenever
possible, relax along with them!
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Here's where you can find Rae in
the fall of 2010 & early 2011...
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January 29, 2011: SECA
(Southern Early Childhood Association) Conference,
Savannah GA. The conference theme is "Moving and
Playing: Helping Southern Children to be Healthy and
Happy." Rae will present the keynote address. For more
information, go to
www.southernearlychildhood.org.
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February 5: Early
Childhood Conference, Grand Island, NE. The
conference will focus on the crusade to address
childhood obesity, with a theme of active learning,
movement, and developmentally appropriate activities.
Rae will present "The Whole Child: Thinking, Feeling,
Moving" as a keynote and "Moving & Learning across the
Curriculum" as a breakout session. For more information,
contact Sue Jensen at the Office of Children's Services
Licensing: 308-385-6163;
sue.jensen@nebraska.gov.
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March 26: "The Whole Child: Thinking, Feeling,
Moving" for Children Together, Alexandria VA.
This presentation is scheduled for 9 to 1 at the First
Baptist Church. For more information, contact Sissy
Walker:
sissy@wise-edservices.com.
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April 19: Alabama Pre-K Conference, Montgomery.
Rae will present a 6-hour workshop from 8 to 4 at the
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention
Center. For more information, contact Pam Laning:
pam.laning@dca.alabama.gov;
334-353-2718.
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May 26-28: Manitoba Child Care Association 34th Early
Childhood Education Conference, Winnipeg. A keynote
speech on the 26th and 6 different workshops over the
course of 3 days are what Rae is offering at this
conference, to be held at the Victoria Inn. For more
information, contact Karen Gander: 204-589-5613;
karengander@mccahouse.org.
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June 21: Early Childhood Summer Institute, Louisville
KY. Rae will present a keynote address and a
breakout session at this conference to be held at the
Galt House. To learn more, contact Conference
Coordinator Bob Wilcher:
bwilcher@ky-esci.org; 502-607-0770.
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