Patterns of rhythmic movement using opposition of arms and legs help develop right-left brain linkage. Learning with as many senses as possible helps instill new concepts, including basic academics such as math and language.
Example: In photo at right, Kathy, almost 5, is taking strides with her arms swinging at sides; as right foot steps forward, left arm swings forward.
The nerve endings in sense organs feed the brain information for analysis and reflection through hearing; seeing; feeling in muscles, on skin and in motion; tasting; smelling.
Some of the skills learned with their academic benefit in parenthesis
a. Forward, backward and sideways movement (reading and writing patterns on the page); b. clockwise and counter-clockwise directions (telling time); c. identifying right side and left side of body (learning to read and write); d. developing memory (basic to all academic skills.
e. Understanding sequencing (reading comprehension); f. using arms in opposition to legs (right-left brain coordination); g. learning what a set of 4 is, and about multiple sets of 4, 8 and 16 counts (mathematics); h. hearing and feeling the strong beat of the rhythm, the accented part of the step (syllables and reading.
i. Learning patience with self and cooperation with others (communication skills); j. finishing what is begun; the steps, the sequence, completing the whole (completing work in a way that others can understand); k. finding that learning can be fun while moving enthusiastically (enthusiasm increases energy for learning).
In summary, language, reading, math, writing, science, humanities, technology, the arts all contain rhythmic elements or patterns.
Math While Moving Series
Kinesthetic Language Learning Series
Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons -
YouŽll find 33 beginning and advanced kinesthetic math and language lessons in 78 pages for kids of all abilities in grades K-6, including teaching all ages the one-hand alphabet with large photos of the letter shapes.
And, for ages 2 to 5, more than 10 kinesthetic learning lessons, plus rhythms, dances and exercises in this workbook Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Article by Susan Kramer
