Movement & Mindfulness 103

Skills for Healthier KidsLeah Kalish, MA: leah@move-with-

me.com www.move-with-me.com

818-667-36891

TEAM•  Leah Kalish, MA, a recognized expert in movement, yoga, and social-emotional 

education, has created many successful products/curricula for companies, such as Barefoot Books, Yoga Ed. and School Specialty.  She founded Move with Me™ to support young children in being physically fit, emotionally stable and learning able.

• Wendy Piret, BS, is a Developmental Movement Education Specialist with years of experience teaching children.  She is a licensed Brain Gym® Instructor, a certified Yoga Ed. Instructor, and a craniosacral practitioner specializing in pediatrics.  With her collaborator, Liz Bragdon, she is the co-creator of the Movement & Mindfulness Curriculum and the instructor in the Scooter & Me movement adventure series.

• Liz Bragdon, MA, is a certified Yoga Teacher and veteran early childhood educator.  She leads assemblies for Young Audiences and teaches at schools, libraries, gyms, and studios.  With her good friend, Wendy Piret, she is co-creator of the Movement & Mindfulness Curriculum, and the writer of the Scooter & Me movement adventure series.

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Objectives• Learn last 4 Adventure Skills.  Review all and how to 

integrate them as part of school/home culture.

• Understand the Triune Brain’s 3 “states of mind” and how to help children integrate them to support SEL.– March of Penguins– 3 Brain Games

• Understand the impact of technology on brain development and how to balance negative affects.  

• Understand the profound benefits of nature and outdoor play on development and self-regulation.

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Movement and play grow brain cells by boosting BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor).  They also stimulate other positive physiological responses shown to regulate and integrate the CNS. Research shows definitely that the more we move, the stronger, smarter, more aware, in control, and able to learn we become. 

Why?:•Build strength, coordination, balance and fitness•Organize and connect both sides of the brain for optimal learning•Improve focus, concentration, and memory•Maintain a healthy body, heart, mind, and weight•Feel confident and alert (Self-Regulation)•Develop self-awareness (Mindfulness / EF)•Have fun with friends (SEL)

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Play Through the Day• Everyone should play/exercise for 60 - 90 minutes every day!• Play outside instead of watching TV or playing video games.• Take Yoga, Game, or Movement to Music breaks every 30-60 min.• Use Adventure Skills with chants and rhythmic movement.• Use Books to inspire Creative Movement – act out the story.• Organize Games, Sports or Obstacle Courses at recess timeResources:Move with Me    Kelly Bear      The Learning Station  SPARKAngelique Felix   Nature.orgAction for Healthy Kids ChildrenandNature.org

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Releases stress and tension from the body, especially in your back, legs, shoulders, and neck. Use it after you’ve beenfocusing or sitting and feel tight, tired, or irritable.

Kitty cat, kitty cat furry and black - “Meow, meow”.Kitty cat, kitty cat arches her back.Kitty cat, kitty cat when she’s afraid,Kitty cat, kitty cat pushes away (round back)Kitty cat, kitty cat watch out now…Here come Dog to chase you down! (downward dog pose)

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Helps you turn a frown upside down and a disappointment into a bright idea!

Try it when you hear bad or sad news, are disappointed or discouraged, feel down or defeated.

When I feel - Oh No!!I hold my forehead,Massage my brow,Breathe in deeplyI know how...I breathe out slowlyI let my fears sinkI feel my heart clear …bump-bump, bump-bump, Then, I think - Ah Yes!!I know what to say...“It’s going to be a wonderful day”

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Fish Breath is a silly way to use deep breathing to relax your brain and recharge your body. Use it when you need to blow off steam or when you feel tired or foggy and want to clear your mind.

One fin on my belly, I let it restThe other fin, I bring up to my chest,

I need to do something; I feel like goop!So, I breathe in deep and …

Bloop, bloop, bloooooooooooooooooooop!

Regulation Integration

To improve health, behavior, & learning, SR / mindfulness must become part of the culture: •Regularity – schedule time to practice daily•Repetition – builds neural pathways = habit•Reflection – noticing sensations is essential to strengthening new neural pathways•Personalization – support kids in becoming prescriptive with techniques/skills for themselves•Include Family – share with parents/ care-givers to use at home

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TIME to Play More, Stress Less Adventure Skills Promotes

Drop Off Offer WaterHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomOh No!  Ah Yes!Deep Down Wisdom

Ability to think, learn, calm and interactCenter, relax body, calm mindAttention, focus and awarenessInvites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes focus

Transition to Circle Monkey Wisdom Infinity 8’sOh No!  Ah Yes! Deep Down Wisdom

Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skillsEye-teaming, binocular vision, stress reliefAttention, focus and awarenessInvites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes focus

Transition to Active Time Monkey Wisdom Variations Full Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomFull Scanning Mode

Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skillsRelaxation, auditory clarity, balanceCenter, relax body, calm mind

Transition to Clean-up Humming Breath/Ocean WisdomFull Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomFull Scanning Mode

Center, relax body, calm mindRelaxation, auditory clarity, balanceCenter, relax body, calm mind

Transition to Quiet Time Drink WaterHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomDeep Down WisdomBreathe/Fish Breath

Ability to think, learn, calm and interactCenter, relax body, calm mindInvites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes focusIntentional conscious self-regulation, calm

Academic/Detail Work Monkey WisdomInfinity 8’sRock the Boat

Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skillsEye-teaming, binocular vision, stress reliefRelaxation, attentiveness, memory

Conflict Rock the BoatHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomCat WisdomDeep Down Wisdom

Relaxation, attentiveness, memoryCenter, relax body, calm mindStress relief, relaxation of the Tendon Guard ReflexInvites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes focus

Emotionally Triggered Drink WaterFish BreathHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomBreathe/Fish Breath

Ability to think, learn, calm and interactOxygenation, restorationCenter, relax body, calm mindIntentional conscious self-regulation, calm

Confusion Monkey WisdomFull Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomCat WisdomOh No! Ah Yes!

Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skillsRelaxation, auditory clarity, balanceStress relief, relaxation of the Tendon Guard ReflexAttention, focus and awareness

TIME TO PLAY MORE, STRESS LESS ADVENTURE SKILLS

Drop Off Offer WaterHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomOh No!  Ah Yes!Deep Down Wisdom

Transition to Circle Monkey Wisdom Infinity 8’sOh No!  Ah Yes! Deep Down Wisdom

Transition to Active Time Monkey Wisdom Variations Full Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomFull Scanning Mode

Transition to Clean-up Humming Breath/Ocean WisdomFull Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomFull Scanning Mode

Transition to Quiet Time Drink WaterHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomDeep Down WisdomBreathe/Fish Breath

Academic/Detail Work Monkey WisdomInfinity 8’sRock the Boat

Conflict Rock the BoatHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomCat WisdomDeep Down Wisdom

Emotionally Triggered Drink WaterFish BreathHumming Breath/Ocean WisdomBreathe/Fish Breath

Confusion Monkey WisdomFull Sensing Mode/Elephant WisdomCat WisdomOh No! Ah Yes!

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Self–Care Messages

• I am valued and cared for.  • My well-being is important. • I can help myself feel well.• When I feel well, I can do well.• I can ground, soothe, shift, and focus myself.• I am full of love, health, and intelligence.• I respect & support others as I do myself.

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Triune Brain Theory

-Professor Paul D. McLean

3 States of Mind &3 Stages of Development

• Brain Stem: Body, Senses, Instincts, 

Automatic, Reflexes, Non-verbal - Survival

• Mid-Brain:  Heart, Emotions, Relationship, 

Memory, Morality - Connections

• NeoCortex: Reason, Reflect, Communicate, 

Plan, Create - Executive Functions 16

Brain Integration VerticallyPhysical & Emotional Safety (brain stem) AND Connection & Understanding (mid-brain) unlock the door to  higher thinking.

•Clear, Consistent Rules & Boundaries - Safe•Accurate, Compassionate Mirroring - Seen•Support, Consequences, Nurturing - Supported•Movement, Play, Senses, Self-Care – Stimulated•Reflection & Acknowledgement – Strengthened

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Brain Hemispheres

Right Brain: Holistic, Non-Verbal, Emotional, Intuitive, Imaginative – Empathy & CreativityLeft Brain: Linear, Literal, Linguistic, Logical – Analysis & Execution

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Brain Integration Horizontally

Young Children are Right Brain dominant.  They do well with non-verbal, emotional safety, and physical & sensory activities.  They are responding mostly to your “state” & coherence.

Fuel children’s Left Brain development with pretend play, story-telling, motor skills, self-regulation activities, reflection, problem-solving, and games that develop self-awareness, cooperation, & social and emotional intelligence.  

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Impact of StressStress blocks access to Brain Integration & Executive Functions:

• Dehydration• Poor nutrition• Inability to self-soothe or regulate• Developmentally inappropriate activities / expectations 

• Your stress“Stress makes us stupid”.  Daniel Goleman

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Ways To Access Executive Function

• Decrease Stress• Use Embodied Self-Care and Regulation as needed• Increase Music, Play, & Games• Integrate Intentional Movement (Yoga, Karate, Thai Chi, Breathing) – before transitioning to an academic activity 

• Use Books for Movement Stories

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Stories in Motion

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Purpose: To inspire early literacy, movement, creativity, and a love of learning.  To integrate self-care/self-regulation skills with characters from the story. Reading supports a wide range of positive outcomes, from phonological awareness to social emotional learning and self-awareness.

Materials: The recommended lesson book or a book of your choice Standards: PDH, SED, ATL, LD, LKS, CAE, SSKS, ELD  Procedure: Read each book at least twice in the course of the week

Stories in Motion Book Suggestions

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle• Panda Bear, Panda Bear  by Eric Carle• The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle• The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle• The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown• Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman• My Daddy is a Pretzel by Baron Baptiste• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak• When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang

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Brain GamesChildren are better able to identify, manage, and sustain their own well-being, emotions, and impulses when they have:•Basic info on brain - body health•Basic understanding of the Triune Brain•Kinesthetic experience of the 3 States of Mind 

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Power of Hydration

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Purpose: To reinforce the principle that water is the most easily accessed and frequently needed Adventure Skill, to demonstrate that water is a powerful conductor of electricity and that the human body, consisting of between 65%-75% water, needs to remain well-hydrated in order to deliver its millions of electrochemical messages.   Materials: Dehydrated green plant, energy ball*,  cup of water Standards Addressed: AtL, LR, LD, SKS, PHD 

* Energy Balls are available at most educational supply stores including Safari, Ltd

A Musical Bus Tour of the Brain*music by Eve Kodiak

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Brain Area - Dimension

Neocortex - Communication (Laterality) Robots Shoulders/Neck

Limbic - Coordination (Centering) Swimmers Chest/Stomach

Reptilian - Focus (Verticality) Penguins Back/Calves

March of the Penguins

MovementsPenguin        Swimmer

      Robot

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Bus Tour of Brain

• First Stop – waddle, exploring in dark… look down/lean forward (over-focus) then look up/lean back (under-focus)… Find center

• Second Stop – swim, flow slow, figure 8… bump into each other… expand up… sink down … calm and make room for everyone.

• Third Stop – robots walk forward / backward, arms up/out - down/together. Rock/lean left…rock/lean right … find middle.

• Script & Music @ move-with-me.com/march-of-the-penguins29

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State of Mind Game Purpose: To understand the three different levels of cognition or “States of Mind”, to develop the ability to intentionally self-regulate by shifting our state of mind. Materials: 4 large dice, sidewalk chalk Standards Addressed: PDH, SED, AtL, LR, LD, LKS, MKS, SKS, CAE, ELD  

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Our survival brain is activated by stress!Hold fists, act mean, ready to fight or flee. Call “JUMP up & Down!” (wait 2-3 seconds) then “FREEZE!”  Repeat 2-3 times.

Our mid-brain -the ocean of emotion! I’m calm.  I can feel & manage my feelings. (Kids act out emotions) Sad - Excited – Confused – Tired – Scared – Happy – Frustrated – Guilty - Loving

Our cortex thinking brain, where we plan, communicate, and take action. We feel confident, courageous, determined.Introduce yourself to each other and shake handsHug a friend, or two, and tell them what you had for breakfastSkip and pat your headInvite a child to give directions to the group 

Pass the Message

Purpose:  To demonstrate that learning new tasks is easier and faster with repetition, to show, kinesthetically, how the brain prunes what isn’t used, in order to become more efficient and strengthen what is being used, to develop higher level thinking such as: cooperation, teamwork, and decision making. Materials: Paper, timer (Best with big group)

Standards Addressed:  PDH, SED, AtL, LR, LKS, MKS, SKS, ELD

 

Brain Game Directions @ move-with-me.com/3-brain-games32

• Promotes creative problem solving  - apply to conflicts. • Facilitates better language skills and communication.• Improves memory and learning – apply thru-out the day.• Builds  focus, attention, and sustained concentration.• Develops impulse control – I can contain & re-direct my self!• Strengthens balance & coordination = builds brain & confidence• Regulates body weight = well-being• Calms, sooths, integrate CNS = natural self-regulation• Reduces stress and anxiety

Benefits of Games(PDH, SED, AtL, LR, LD, CAE)

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Technology

• Inundating• Distracting• Speeds up and stresses NS - decreases EF• Decreases time in human interaction • Decreases active & imaginative play time• Decreases self-awareness, mindfulness• Develops specific skills and kind of thinking

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Balance is Key

• Video Games, like stories and any other activity you repeat, are Teachers – we must use wisely.

• Make sure children get plenty of human closeness, Nature, healthy play, food, sleep.  Planning ahead.

• Yoga, mindfulness, sensory activities shown to increase memory and inhibitory control (EF).

• Activities that involve caring, collaboration, connection, and empathy, so children develop attunement, peacefulness, the ability to self-regulate, and their own creative expression. 

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Power of Nature • The GREAT REGULATOR – more time in nature means healthier, happier kids!

• Boosts immune system, mood, mental health• Reduces stress, asthma, myopia, depression, anxiety, Vit D deficiency, and obesity

• Increases fitness, creativity, confidence, focus, self-regulation (EF)

•  For Health – green activities/environments are a necessary balance to modern life

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Research Highlights

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•Decrease off-task behavior in preschool age children (Dr. Jennifer Dustow, Autism Project, 2009)

•Improve creative problem solving, language skills, and memory (Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., The Cognitive Benefits of Play: Effects on the Learning Brain, 2008)

•Increases attention span and ability to ignore distractions and concentrate effectively

•Enhances behavioral regulation, metacognition, and overall global executive function (Flook, Smalley, Kitil, Galla, Kaiser-Greenland, Locke, Ishijima, Kasari, 2010, Napoli, Krech, & Holley, 2005)

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• Over-rides the body’s physiological response to stress

• Stimulates the release of BDNF, which grows the brain (Ratey, 2008)

• Improves the cognitive control of attention

• Enhances academic performance (Hillman, CH, Pontifex, MB, Raine, LB, Castelli, DM, Hall, EE, Kramer, AF, 2009)

•Focus attention and engage participant in an empathic response, creating a significant physiological effect on the body and on behavioral choices. (Paul Zak, 2013) •Activate episodic memory and light up the whole brain for learning (Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules, 2010)

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•Unifies and integrates mind/body experience (Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 2009)

•Organizes whole-brain function for optimal learning (Dennison and Hannaford, 1999)

•Improves executive functions (Science 2011)

•Concentrates BDNF in the hippocampus, enhances long term memory retention (Ratey, 2008)

NatureChildrenandNature.org

Bibliography• Teaching to the Brain’s Natural Learning Systems, Barbara K. 

Given• You Can Heal Your Child, The 60 Seconds Fix, Brain Charge - K-

12 Curriculum, Dr. Regalena Melrose• The Whole Brain Child, MindSight, Dr. Dan Siegel• The Mindful Child, Susan Kaiser Greenland• Movement & Mindfulness Curriculum, Wendy Piret, Liz 

Bragdon, Leah Kalish• Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman• Molecules of Emotion, Candace Pert

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