Child Development & Learning: Why are Movement & Creative activities so Important?

By B. Gini, CMBT, RCYT


Varied & regular movement in babies & children creates learning readiness for children of all abilities by helping the primitive brain to break down & use the information being received by the 5 senses so that the correct response can be formed by the higher brain. This is called S.I or Sensory Integration & it is a vital element of learning for all children.

If a child's academic learning is pushed too much and too soon, before the body has had a chance to learn how to move as an integrated whole, the whole brain suffers as it becomes overloaded with stimulus it cannot process or make sense of, let alone know what to do with,so it just shuts down.(This is called 'adrenal shock' more commonly known as "fight or flight response" and is the brain's way of going into survival mode. This is the body's natural response to stress and the threat of danger, but many things can trigger it. Especially fear of failure or the words and images while watching TV.)

The brain is not capable of learning, processing or integrating while this response is occurring. The only things it can do is "fight" or take "flight". Forced learning will create a stress response exactly like this and the child's brain shuts down, which causes the parent/teacher to impose more homework, remedial drills, etc. on the student who shuts down more and now loses confidence because they feel something is "wrong" with them. This cycle of forced learning & sustained stress level eventually takes its toll on the child. Confidence, motivation & self-esteem is decreased as learning becomes more difficult. Low motivation, defiance, physical illness and general poor attitude can result.In most cases,the child has no idea why this all is happening.

As parents and educators, it is our job to help them through it & re-pattern daily routines and build movement into their life and most importantly: move with them. By moving with your child you acknowledge that you are supporting the child, rather than "fixing" him. As the brain relaxes,the child becomes more ready to learn, and the more they master skills the more confidence they have to learn more. If movement becomes a part of a child's (or adult's) regular daily routine, as early as possible, & continues through repetition & imitation, he or she learns to apply body integration to other areas.

Its a known fact that movement helps the brain to integrate, but art and music also enhances brain activity. This is because the visual and auditory processing are addressed. It comes from painting, clay, crafts, being in nature, singing, humming, playing an instrument or listening to music. These activities use color, depth & sound receptors & allow opportunities to re-organize those patterns in the brain. (Use of a TV or a computer does not provide this for children nor adults & causes adrenal responses in the brain similar to the fight or flight response.)

There is much scientific data to support this and we know that these all are vital elements of learning & tools for cultivating a confident, empowered child & a motivated successful adult. The more you do these activities with your student or child, the more the senses become integrated & brain becomes ready to learn.

Kinesiology is the study of how movement re-patterns brain/body integration & enhances the learning process. Yoga, dance, karate, creative writing, music, art, Brain Gym, swimming, walking in nature & all competitive & non-competitive sports are natural forms of kinesthetic sensory integration & can be targeted & adapted to a variety of ages, abilities, activities & environments. Simple daily creative art & applied kinesiology through varied movement will add significant value to a child's conventional education, sports activities, leisure or therapy & will assist in building many of the same skills as conventional S.I. Therapy, as all 5 senses & both parts of the brain are integrated during a 30-45 minute yoga, dance, martial or other movement arts session.

That is what we call using the Body's Logic...(or as we say..."Body-Logique".)


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