“Move to Learn” Book Review

Title: Move to Learn
Authors: Joye Newman, Miriam P. Feinberg
Publisher: Gryphon House, 2015

Perfect for Early Child Educators

My first thought when leafing through this book was, “Wow! I wish I’d had this when my own kids were preschoolers!”

Most teachers and parents know how important movement is for healthy physical development, but how many of us know that it’s absolutely necessary for “optimal physical, cognitive, emotional, AND social development”?  (p.7)

That’s right. Movement is essential for healthy development in all areas of a child’s growth. In fact, “…movement lays the framework upon which all future skills are built” (p.7)

ALL future skills! I think that’s pretty amazing. And it’s why it’s so important for teachers and parents to get their kids moving in purposeful ways.

This 136-page book is truly a wealth of information. It is PACKED with practical and easy ideas for getting young kids moving and learning. The best part is, the activities can be implemented quickly with very little preparation. When prep is required, most of the materials are easy enough to find around the house.

The Set-Up

There are six compact, easy-to-read chapters.

1. Language and Literacy
2. Mathematics
3. Science
4. Social Studies
5. Creative Representation
6. Social Skills

Within each chapter are several specific activities for integrating movement into the curriculum. The activities are geared toward developing sensory, visual, perceptual, fine and gross motor skills in fun, engaging ways.

Here’s page from the Language and Literacy section to give you an idea of how the book looks.

What’s also cool are all the suggestions for incorporating movement into every day activities, e.g., “If you’re wearing blue, twirl to the line.”

We did that last week and the kids LOVED it! I had them take turns dancing, bunny hopping, twirling, walking backwards and taking giant steps.

Most of the ideas are for preschool but are very applicable to kindergarten and can be ADAPTED for grade one.

Here’s one I recently adapted:

We’re learning to count by twos.

I had the kids take turns and come up front. I wrote a number on the back of the chart stand (only the selected child could see it).

He then “punched out” two fingers up to the designated number without saying anything. The other kids had to watch closely, count by twos in their heads and figure out his target number.

It was a HUGE hit!

Granted, this particular activity didn’t require a LOT of movement, but it was still a fun way to get the kids up and thinking.

If you’re a parent of young kids or you teach pre-school or kindergarten THIS book is for you!

I’d love to hear how YOU get your class up and moving. I’m always on the lookout for more great ideas:)

Disclosure: I received this book from Gryphon House in exchange for an impartial book review.

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