May, 2016
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Social learning is a gradual process. Although children are social being at birth, they are not born socially competent, nor do they attain mature levels of competence quickly. They are continually experimenting with various strategies, seeking clues about what works and what does not. It is through movement that they experience the power of mind and body working together in an immediate direct way. Kinesthetic intelligence includes information and concepts formed about the world through physical activities. These activities are especially important in the development of social and emotional skills.
Infants: Circus Animals – Movement activities provides a pathway for children to learn about themselves and their world, and encourage gross and fine motor development skills. With the help of a caregiver children recreate movements of various animals. They can explore light, free ways of moving, such as birds flying or frogs hopping, but being careful not to bump into each other. Also have them move slowly, like lumbering bears or elephants. Use music as an accompaniment such as “The Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens. End all these activities with the animals quieting down and getting ready to sleep.
Toddlers: Sheet Parachute – Whether working alone or with partners, experiences involving social interaction strengthen the toddler’s sense of belonging. Movement is especially well suited to helping children learn how to work within a group and becoming part of the classroom community. Encourage the children use fabric crayons to color and make designs on a sheet to make a colorful parachute, then they can then use it in a variety of experiences in which they all lift it up to create a high dome overhead or all sit inside at once together in their own “tent.”
Preschoolers: Peacemaker - This activity offers the challenge of learning and using rules together. On the jobs chart there should be a different “peacemaker” each week whose role it is to help children solve their problems. Children learn to listen and respect their peers, solve conflicts, and articulate their concerns. This experience gives every child a chance to be the “boss.”
Research has shown that socially competent children are happier and more successful in their interactions with others, more popular, and more satisfied with life than their less competent peers. In addition, children’s social/emotional relations have been linked to academic achievement and greater success in school, and as a result they tend to see themselves as worthwhile human beings who can make a difference in the world.
ALL MANKIND IS DIVIDED INTO THREE CLASSES!
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