Science of Attention and Learning
Why Can’t Children Sit Still?
The Importance of Movement and Play for Attention and Learning
Overview
Nature designed children’s bodies to move, touch and connect for adequate physical, mental and cognitive development. Attention restorative environments such as “green space” have been shown to significantly reduce ADHD symptoms, yet school and community fears of litigation have dramatically changed how children access outdoor movement and play. Resources that used to go toward playgrounds are now being diverted toward updating schools with technology. Children are physically moving less, and as a result are not getting the necessary motor and sensory stimulation to their vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems, resulting in low postural tone, poor coordination and fluctuating arousal states – important components for printing, reading and paying attention to learn.
Goal
Why Can’t Children Sit Still raises awareness about the importance of movement and play in the every day lives of our children and home and school, and how sensory and motor components of movement and play actually promote attention and learning.
Learning Outcomes
- Relate current “bottom up” research to why children need to move to pay attention and learn.
- Identify critical factors for child development and learning.
- Recognize how fear of litigation limits achieving critical factors for development and learning.
- Explore child nature deficit disorder and apply school, home and community initiatives.
Handouts
Child Development and Nature Directives
Playground Structures
Who should attend?
Parents, teachers, administrators, special education staff, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, counsellors, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and child care providers. Foundation Series Workshops are designed to be introductory level for therapists, intermediate for teachers and advanced for parents, child care workers and teaching assistants.
How to register
Register for scheduled Foundation Series Workshops:
- Online at www.zoneinworkshops.com/schedule
- Print the workshop descriptor and fax page two to 1-877-8zonein
- Phone 1-888-8zonein
- Email info@zonein.ca
- Print the workshop descriptor and mail page two to Zone’in at 6840 Seaview Rd, Sechelt, BC Canada V0N3A4
Sponsor a workshop
Sponsor a workshop in your own community and receive a free Zone’in, Move’in or Unplug’in program for school or home use. Contact Amy for the details!
Evidence based – Research referenced – Strategy focused