Can movement enhance literacy skills in children? Activities shared will reinforce the body of research linking movement, concentration, behavior and executive function with children’s success. Ideas will provide creative strategies infusing literacy using innovative equipment to keep children moving, active, and academically learning concepts that facilitate knowledge acquisition across disciplines.
Teaching the whole child means to influence the well-being of children in the domains: cognitive, social, emotional and physical. They are interconnected. Teaching with the whole child approach will provide teachers with happy and healthy students. Children love to move and learn, so what better way then help build children’s physical literacy skills to develop competent and confident movers through literacy-based activities.
About Susan Flynn
Susan Flynn taught at Purdue University and in Maryland and Ohio public schools before becoming an Instructor at the College of Charleston. She directs FitCatZ Aquatic and Motor Therapy for children with disabilities. Her philosophy is to lead by example and do so with enthusiasm, passion, acceptance, and a strong belief in the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
About Emma Ferguson
Emma Ferguson is a junior early childhood education major at the College of Charleston. She is a South Carolina Teaching Fellow and leads Young Life at Hanahan High School. She is extremely passionate about early childhood education and is honored to be part of each child’s learning experience. Her goal as a future educator is to ensure that each child learns in a way that is most beneficial to them.
About Mansi Brown
Mansi Brown is majoring in early childhood education at the College of Charleston. She works with infants at KinderCare in Mount Pleasant. After she completes her undergraduate career, she plans to pursue a Master of Social Work.
About Chelsea Sturgis
Chelsea Sturgis is a junior at the College of Charleston studying elementary education. She is from the Charleston area and is excited to pursue a career teaching locally. During the summer, she is involved with teaching children how to swim and be water safe. Chelsea is passionate about having active movers in her classroom and will encourage students to treat their bodies the right way.