Teaching With The Body In Mind

Teaching With The Body In Mind
  • 5.0 (9)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each week, Mike, Tom, Ross, and Joey reflect on the connection between moving and thinking. The discussions remind us that teachers should be supporting children's bodies as well as their minds.

  1. FEB 10

    TWTBIM_0362 But That One Time...

    Our brains are wired to remember "that one time" that the bad thing happened. How can we use our negativity bias to power reflection instead of restriction? What about when "that one kid" did that thing? Does that mean we never offer it again? To anyone?

    22 min

  2. FEB 3

    TWTBIM_0361 Focus and the Phsyical Environment

    Mike reflects on how the physical arrangement of a space can support children's ability to focus and build inhibitory control. Cold puddles on the floor are a terrible distraction when children are trying to get cozy with a book. Classroom design that helps children find focus also helps children be themselves. Mike and Ross riff on how providing focus does not mean that children's experiences are limited to any one developmental domain.

    22 min

  3. JAN 27

    TWTBIM_0360 This Could Get Messy

    Last week's discussion about beauty in conflict has Ross thinking about the mess that can also accompany conflict and the value within it. Tom has observed that children are engaged in continuous non-verbal negotiation, which can get messy. Mike makes a musical connection between mess and creativity. Joey wonders if we can learn to prepare ourselves for the mess and always have the right "cleaning supplies" handy.

    17 min

  4. JAN 20

    TWTBIM_0359 Conflict Can Be Beautiful

    Squabbles over dinosuars, golden kitties or deeper issues are necessary and beautiful. When we rush in to solve children's conflicts, we make it all about us. Resolving conflict is an open-ended activity that can lead to creativity. Early childhood settings are a great place for learning to solve conflicts because they are usually low stakes.

    22 min

  5. JAN 13

    ENCORE EPISODE: When Help Isn't Helpful

    We'll be back for real next week! Until then, one more from the archives: Ross is losing sleep after being too helpful. Did he take away a learning opportunity by attaching the wheels to a child's car? We offer help with the best of intentions, but perhaps our help sometimes undermines development. What kind of help do they need? (originally released June 2023)

    20 min

  6. JAN 6

    ENCORE EPISODE Hanging Out

    Ease into the new year, with a relaxing conversation about hanging out. Tom asks the group to define hanging out--a social act of "being with" with no agenda, a relaxed feeling, open, and freeform. He wonders, is it worthwhile in the classroom? (Resounding YES) Ross points out that you don't have to set your plans aside to allow for moments to hang out, you can make space for both. Tom's wish is that we can slow down and appreciate moments of hanging out in our daily practice.

    21 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    TWTBIM_0358 Joining In

    As Joey was reminded while crawling through cattails, joining in to children's physical play can give us insight, understanding, and joy. Mike recently learned the tricky balance spots in a playground obstacle course. And we all remember how much fun the kids had when Tom "fell" off the balance beam. Ross cautions—yes, but it shouldn't become about us. When do we join into children's play and how do we phase out?

    24 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    TWTBIM_0357 Relationships Foster Physical Learning

    After watching a toddler scoot to wave goodbye to a classmate, Mike reflects on how social relationships provide motivation for physical learning. Prosocial connection is a powerful internal motivator. When we lose sight of that, our judgements and interference can become an impediment to learning.

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Each week, Mike, Tom, Ross, and Joey reflect on the connection between moving and thinking. The discussions remind us that teachers should be supporting children's bodies as well as their minds.

Information

  • Creator
    Teaching With The Body In Mind
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©Teaching With The Body In Mind
  • Show Website
    Teaching With The Body In Mind

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