SENIA Conference 2014

1. SENIA Conference 2014 Movement to support behaviour Presented by Anthony Donovan

2. Philosophical premise Human’s require some specific ingredients for their well-being. These ingredients benefit our progress and development. But we might just overlook them! A definition of movement: “ Any act or action that changes the dynamics positively and brings about focused attention and enhances a sense of belonging’

3. Movement Starter‘tuning in’ • Something for the body: ‘give me a movement that will prepare you for learning’ • Something for the mind: tune tune tune tune step 8 far far • ‘Movement can help children cope with behaviours that are detrimental to learning’ Partner discussion: How? 3 words/1 sentence • Something for the body: • Posture, breathe, stretch, smile. • Warm up the learning tools – eyes, ears, neck, brain, fingers

4. What are we doing? 1. To look at the benefits and content of a ‘movement’ intervention in the classroom 2. To look at and practise a 4 part system for the classroom

5. The Benefits: a rationale • Movement can prepare, energise or calm • Movement can be used to begin lessons (starters), renew concentration (during) and end lessons (plenaries) • Movement can disperse anxieties and help students focus • Movement is fun, socially bonding and develops confidence • Movement enhances neurological development of the tools for learning: coordination, rhythm, timing, ‘hand, eye, neck’ integration and motor control. • It is important for spinal, skeletal and muscular maintenance.

6. More thoughts • An official report stated“schools must offer more physical activity and discourage prolonged sedentary behaviour … and providing this activity reduces classroom disruption.”(Government Heath Development Agency Review Oct 2003) • Because trends suggest ‘increased stress and declining physical activity’ (“Toxic Lifestyle”Sue PalmerTES March 2006) • Technology dominating children’s interests • “Because small changes make a big difference …”

7. Some points to ponder… • Establishing or Re-educating pathways between brain and body • Low attention can result from poor sensory integration. If movement is not controlled and automatic, the brain’s focus is elsewhere and seeking significance… • ‘Emotions’ will show up through the body • Frustration can occur as a result of poor control or coordination or feelings of inadequacy • All motor skills are linked in someway to ‘balance’ • All learning is based on a sequence – so lets work on sequences! -Concrete sequentialists! Aiming for abstract - random! • simple exercises aimed at developing balance, co-ordination, posture and motor control & stillnessencouraging positive participation in the class • Kinaesthetic learners may not pay attention until they have done something • movement teaches knowledge about space, body, timing, directionality…it is also the first vehicle for expression!

8. Well-being 9 ingredients Stretchingbalancingcoordinatingcontrolling • hydrated oxygenatedcirculated • Activated Balanced Stretched Slept? • focused centred contenteddefine the above term; are you hydrated,… etc.? What do you do about it? How do you manage it? • self – assess youand/or your students in your class. are you/they….? • Continuum scaleScore 1=hardly ever, 5=nearly always <20 = inhibited perf., >40 

9. The stuff we need to teach to support behaviour Stillness - it requires all the muscles to work together with the balance mechanism and the mind to focus – emotional calm Directing attention within the ability to ignore external stimuli and not seeking approval from others Self-reliance – knowing you have the ability to achieve and being resilient with your efforts; trusting yourself. Building positive self talk and affirmation - used in sports but not generally – developing this habit. Hidden curriculum

10. 4 part sequences little and often makes a big difference! Lets have a go!

11. Actions to put in your 4 part sequence structure

12. Structure of a 4 part intervention • State the Intentionality /link it • Comment or question on the meaning of the activity • Bridge or generalise its meaning /curriculum • Brief moment of reflection / reconnect

13. One more…note the ingredients!

14. Fast one for an energizer!

15. ‘Combos’ to take-away! • Breathe and stretchbreathe and stillbreathe and ‘balance’breathe and ‘picture’stretch and actionposture and actionaction and wordsupper body and lowersmall body parts / large2 actions – jump/hopsports or dance actions • 2 parts or alternating – Your turn! Design & show your intervention

16. Physicalise the learning • Convert the lesson content into actions or • representational movementdraw it, sing it, act it ! • Draw a doodle picture to capture key wordscreate an action for the 7 ingredients (with words)give a live TV report from the workshop today with an interview form a participant

17. Summary Movement can intercept potential poor behaviour Movement can provide necessary physical expression Movement promotes natural development of growth and skills Movement is fun! Fun=Learning=reduced poor behaviour. Thank you! adonovan@bisphuket.ac.th