In Part I, we discussed reasons that I promised that I would talk about solutions, so here are some ways that we can extend play past the early childhood stages. I have come to believe that this is necessary not just to solve the health issues that face our children, but to solve the myriad [...]
I will continue the series on Play Spaces when the weather gets a little better this week. One of the things I have been curious about over the last few years is how all of the focus on early experience has funneled so much money, attention, and expertise into providing for play during early childhood [...]
Lee District Park, my former place of employment, recently opened up a new playground. I wanted to show everyone this play space to illustrate some great things about it that I think we need to model for all play spaces. And, as always, we will have some discussion of what this means for kids that [...]
I had someone say to me recently that the play I was doing with the kids in my videos was “way too structured”. That I needed to “loosen up”. A lot of things have been said about me, but never have I been told I need to loosen up more – I usually get the [...]
Over a 15 year career, 5 of which were spent in parks and recreation administration, I have seen many programs come and go. With many of them, touting themselves as “creative solutions to childhood obesity” (or some tagline like that), something strikes me as odd: The game or activity has had a lot of “creativity” [...]
I love play and playfulness But just because something is called “play”, or can be classified as play, doesn’t mean kids like it, or even benefit optimally from it. I am a little perturbed by the number of “experts” that throw out the term “play” without really understanding it. When you combine a misunderstanding of [...]
“These are a few of my favorite things”….(I have always preferred the John Coltrane version, by the way) It was great to have been asked by INOVA Health System to be a part of the panel at the Let’s Move The Needle at George mason University today. I had a wonderful time there, and wanted [...]
Now ask yourself, are you developing properly? Are your children? Do you want to solve the problems of youth inactivity and the problems in our educational system? Infuse play and exploration. Problem solved. Want to know how to do this? Talk to me.
…the FUNction Program, simply put, is a program that uses game play coupled with “teachable moments” to guide kids toward learning effective motor skills.
A lot has been discussed in the past few years about our kids and our fear for their safety. I say our kids here in the way that I always mean it – all kids belong to the “village” as well as the parents.
I have done extensive work in the fitness field, and one of the things that I find the most striking is that there seems to be a misunderstanding of what the word “fitness” actually means – Go figure! Let’s explore the first 2 definitions of the word fitness, as the third definition has more to [...]
…renders the child for all intent and purpose unable to find innovative solutions, unable to express the natural creativity that has been such a hallmark of all the good things about humanity.
Sometimes we educators forget that we can be fallible. My how when we have “tons of experience” doing something, or even worse, if we have been a subject of adulation…Or how when we have rationalized our own behavior to make ourselves feel better about our choices…. We give incredibly, pathologically bad advice. One extreme such [...]
Genes are old. The problems with rampant childhood obesity are relatively new. Therefore, we must consider…Gene expression itself is heavily determined / influenced by environment. I am certain that such a genetically influenced trend like an “activitystat” exists. To attribute it as the sole cause of many kids getting little to no exercise at all is a fallacy.
Parks and Recreation organizations provide experiences that enrich lives. We ensure that there are unspoiled trails, parks, and wildlife. We ensure that there are qualified professionals to provide play opportunities for your children. Too often I see parks and recreation professionals underpaid, overworked, and abused by patrons. It’s still all worth it when someone tells you that you changed their life.
I was grateful earlier this week to serve on a panel that produced a lively, productive discussion on youth obesity in the African-American community. Now, those of you that know me personally, or have heard me speak, know that I hate the title “youth obesity”. If we are to solve the issue, we must focus [...]
I was sent an article today, by not one but 4 separate colleagues who thought that I should comment on it. So I will. But this will not be what they (or I) may have expected me to write at first impulse. This will not be a condemnation of anyone specific, nor a fiery diatribe. I have done enough of that in my life, and certainly do enough of it at home (apologies to my wife).
This will be a discussion of solutions – moving forward and using this provocative article to deepen our well of understanding on the subject of physical activity as it relates to early childhood development. So here goes. I recommend that you read the source article for yourself, before reading my comments, so that you can be informed as well.
Mary Gordon and Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Remember those names. With a Mary Gordon’s program, called Roots of Empathy, and the research done by Dr. Schonert-Reichl and others, there may be a breakthrough on the important issue of bullying / aggressive behavior in children.
My good friend Frank Forencich, founder of Exuberant Animal, commenting on “Solution #1: Bring PE back”, said it so well:
As it stands, they PE teachers live at the bottom of the academic pecking order. This has got to change
Look at our society. We pride ourselves on being capitalistic, where the money follows the most value. Telling, then, is the fact that among other highly educated/skilled professionals, teachers are among the lowest paid. I find it interesting, if not disheartening that we pay far more to those who specialize in Auto Tune, or in moving money from one account to another, than to those who guide our most precious resource.
I am not saying that it is bad to go to private school. I am not saying either that there aren’t ineffective public schools. What I am saying is that we have to change the conversation to one where we are looking at the evidence and trying to figure out what to fix, not which scapegoat to use or which ideology to “believe” in. Those are solutions that make us feel safe, but don’t really solve anything.
I interviewed Joe E. System, and he gave me the following quotes:
“Education’s only purpose is to get you cash”
“I will tell you what the answers are, and you give ‘em back when I tell you”
“We are preparing children to be either docile factory workers or smart people”
“When things are not working, we should do more of the same and raise the stakes, and then if that doesn’t work, blame people.”
“Children are nothing until we mold them.”
…we talk about more play in education and work. This desire / intuitive need /evidence for the value of more play in our lives, and especially in the lives of our children, begs the following question:
Can work be play?
Gaby’s Mom…was controlling through her verbal attacks on Gaby, which seemed (maybe due to editing) to be constant. Her one telling statement: “I want her to be perfect” Wow. I once had a mom tell me about her daughter that since she had been fit all her life, that her fat daughter was a curse. Gaby’s mom, despite being verbally controlling and barking commands, was not very supportive, constantly buying sugary snacks for her other kids, and exhorting Gaby not to eat them. Really? Instant Conflict, Just Add Water!
I have been saying for some time that the so called “smoking gun” of vaccines causing autism has been hugely overblown. While there is a plethora of studies showing that there is NO link between autism and vaccines, there were the following 4 issues working in favor of this idea catching on like wildfire. Keep reading for more:
People in general probably need more on the job autonomy. It is especially true of teachers, who have been routinely taken away from tried and true teaching techniques by standards from legislation like NCLB. Teachers need to be given the freedom to make on the spot decisions to explore ideas further with children, to alter techniques / tactics based on effectiveness, and to some extent to decide content.
An article titled “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior” was printed in the Wall Street Journal recently Ok, I didn’t really want to comment on this article, but I guess I must. let me say a couple of things before I go on: 1. Just because someone is a passionate, skilled, humorous writer doesn’t mean they [...]
Alright, we’re almost done! On to Number 4 of my Big Huge Barriers to success in education. I talked about the lack of parent involvement. Many people have discussed this, but it often involves mostly exhortation of parents to “get more involved”. That’s a lot like a football coach telling a 12 year old receiver to “get there” on a pass pattern.
Sure! How?
My purpose here is not to throw out testing entirely, but to curb it and make it more effective.
My purpose here is not to villify those who believe in our current paradigm of high stakes, multiple choice, superficial standardized testing, but to change minds and create an accord.
My purpose is to look at the aforementioned combination of words: high stakes + superficial / multiple choice + standardized = we have a problem.
My purpose here is not to transform our schools into environments where there is no evaluation, no grading – I think evaluation is necessary for teaching. But I think that evaluation needs to measure the progress along a line toward the actual desired product – students who can process information, take initiative, and innovate.
In Part I, I spent all my time indicting our current system of testing, investigating the pros and cons, and discussing the pitfalls. Alright, enough bellyaching about what’s wrong. And let’s put to bed the idea of whether to test or not. We have to – at least until we figure out what works beyond any doubt. We have two questions to answer, which follow below.
I am now transitioning more into the larger child development / education world while keeping physical play at the forefront of my efforts. I thought it might be interesting to share some parallels that I have observed between the problems we see in youth sports and the problems we see in education, from the perspective of nervous system development. In fact, my two biggest talents (according to former teachers and some sophisticated testing that I have had to go through) are synthesizing knowledge from divergent sources and recognizing patterns. I am happy to use those talents in the service of children, so here goes…
A Message to All Children Dear Child I am so happy you are here I am so grateful to be your ancestor and wise Readied for the sole purpose of being your guide Dear Child There is no need to replicate me You are solely here to be what you are And this is [...]
This is a guest post that I asked my friend and colleague Melissa Lambert to write, after an impassioned plea for play on Facebook! Melissa is, quite frankly, a brilliant young clinician I have gotten to know over the past year. I truly believe that we must lift each other’s voices as these voices have something to add to a rising tide. Here is Melissa’s biography and her wonderful words.
I am in the process of writing a piece for this blog on merit pay for teachers. This is a controversial idea with several pros and cons, and it deserves research / careful consideration. So, I am asking you first. What do you think. All you have to do is answer this question. There will [...]
Now I have had many great teachers, and have read many great writers. But you can’t understand where Move Theory came from (if you care) without understanding Bruce Lee’s influence on me – especially since his symbol for the Tao of Jeet Kune Do is tatooed on my right shoulder!
All of these are strong sentiments I have heard in politics. All of them have one thing in common – a desire for simplistic rules and a simplistic life. Within a nation of 300 million people of differing ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, and histories – simple is impossible. PLEASE click on the link and read the full post. I have much more to say.
(I disagree with)…the idea that because she is female, she will get injured. False. Wrestling is by weight class. I have a martial arts background and have sparred both men and women. I have bested both men and women with my superior skill. I have been bested by both men and women with superior skill.
This is John Connor. Though we are outflanked and outnumbered, there is a small resistance out here. A resistance against the machines.
What if I did a tag cloud based not on web hits, but on the importance of elements in the life of an infant? What would this look like?
Last week, I created a “Word Cloud”, or “Tag Cloud” with words sized according to the needs of the infant. A variety of professionals commented both here on the blog and on other social media platforms where I posted it. I was able to make significant changes to the original Baby Cloud, thanks to all [...]
Hopefully you have all seen The Move Theory Baby Cloud and Toddler Cloud. If not, just click on the links. We are collaborating, all of us here, on a graphical depiction of the needs of our young as they develop. As the young one develops, there is always variability throughout the process. However, as we [...]
Merit pay for teachers has been a hot button issue for so long, and it is such a “tough one”. It looks like it should work. It really does. When I first thought about it, it seemed like a great idea. Why not pay people more for doing better work? How could this not be part of the solution for education? Not so fast…
Is play merely a frivolity we allow children because they “act right”? Not if you’re a child. Not if you are knowledgeable in the field of developmental science. Keep reading “Misconceptions about Play” at the Move Theory Blog, by Dr. Kwame M. Brown
I have constructed, with the help of others, word clouds depicting words that represent needs in the life of a growing child. Not just what they need from adults specifically, but an overall view of concepts they need to grow up healthy and happy. I am posting here all 4 of them, working backwards, with adolescence at the top and then working back through childhood, the toddler years and finally infancy. Let me know what your thoughts are about the progression, and each word cloud.
Just this morning, my friend and colleague Meg Rosker (of Let Children Play fame) launched a new blog called Let Children Achieve. Meg, a former teacher, and now a mom and play advocate, wanted to launch this as a collective effort. The effort is from a group of us advocates for educational understanding (a better term than reform if you ask me). I was honored that Meg asked me to write the inaugural post for this site. Here it is below, but I really hope you go to Let Children Achieve and bookmark it so that you can continue to be aware of everything this collective is saying!
…And it is the DIS-EASE with movement that is truly the problem we need to fix. The DIS-EASE with coordinated movements due to lack of experience. The DIS-EASE with the outdoors. The DIS-EASE with connecting mind and body…Click on the Link or Go to Move Theory “Latest Thoughts” to find out more!
It is high time we begin construction projects with Childhood Needs in mind. From the beginning. That way we avoid the fallback positions, the complaints, and the conflict. Most of all, we avoid children growing up unhealthy in a world that considers them a nuisance and an inconvenience.
With the help of a great friend, who is both a scientist and parent of 3 playful, athletic little girls (not to mention an incredibly insightful and thoughtful person) Move Theory has refined some terminology. The new term I have decided to adopt: “Active Play” I want to talk a little bit about this terminology, [...]
Here is a recording of a conversation between me and Todd Kozinka, an IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist of “Youth In Fitness” and Planet Hoops fame, on a wide range of topics in play, physical education, and childhood obesity. In it, I explain some of the history behind Move Theory, and what my approach is with [...]
First, Let’s use Move Theory to Define “Environment” I talked about the issue of defining environment and what the environment asks children to do when I was with Head Start Body Start. You can listen to the interview here. I want to flesh this idea out a little more with this post. There is a [...]
I saw this today… Here is my response: Play with the kids…It all gets better
The fact is – children are NOT sponges! They are thinking human beings. They process information. They are not “empty slates”. The sooner we all truly realize this, not only intellectually, but in practice – the better.
People often ask me, when I talk about play based fitness program, or discuss the FUNction Program, whether I have any quantitative data on changes in BMI or on Fitnessgram to “prove” that these types of programs work. I am a trained researcher. Well trained, in fact, at Georgetown University Medical Center. I know how to design experiments and write grants. So, why wouldn’t I design a study to show whether my program works to reduce BMI or increase how fast or far a child runs?
I recently read one of the most poorly thought out articles I have ever seen on education. I would have responded to this person’s post, but he never approves my comments because he is only interested in his own view. That’s not how we get down here at Move Theory…
I am warning you, this will be long! To fully explain Move Theory, I must tell the story of my long personal journey in movement. That will be the purpose of this article. Rough Start and Idle As a child, I wasn’t such a great mover. I played outside, but as my friends became more [...]
So many times, we see someone who is considered an “expert” in an area, and we have this subconscious image that they have always been “this”. Well, the truth is, none of us have started out as what we are. So, I wish to use this forum to discuss my own struggles, triumphs, and learning [...]
Rae Pica, my friend and colleague (and neighbor), recently discussed the necessity of play for a myriad of outcomes, including cognitive ability, stress relief, behavioral regulation, and general brain function. For the record, I agree with Rae and have written on this before. But I want to look from a different angle: The often overlooked [...]
This is a continuation of my series on Childhood Obesity and the Economy. You can read Part I here. As I sit and think on the beginning of this July 4th weekend, I am wondering: Is this what the founding fathers meant when they said “All men are created equal”? That we would decide to [...]
In Part I , we had a lively discussion about the constraints that economic disparity puts on access to play spaces. In Part II, we discussed how economic conditions affect access to natural food (which as we all know affects behavior). In this, Part III of the series, let’s talk about the reverse question: How [...]
Some great comments in this series have been shared in Obesity and the Economy Part I, Part II, and Part III. I strongly recommend reading not just the blog posts, but the comments as well. I have the privilege of intelligent, thoughtful friends and colleagues and regularly change or alter my stance because of some [...]
I have asked myself this question often when interacting with colleagues in the “field of play”, such as it is. There is a tremendous amount of focus on play these days among psychologists, neuroscientists, physical education professionals, and others that care for our children. There are advocates working feverishly every day to get play back [...]
I initially said to colleagues I wouldn’t write this post. But now I feel that I must. But before I broach this controversial subject, let me tell you why I am. We need to end the pendulum swings and dogma in child development. I am sure I will get flack from colleagues for writing this, [...]
A respected colleague yesterday put out the statement that since a his daughter had missed two Sunday practices for her volleyball team in a month due to her “schedule”, that she was just “playing” at volleyball. Anyone who knows me or reads this blog has to know what I said next: All together now: “What’s [...]
A colleague Tweeted the other day that “failure is a far better teacher than success”. I disagree vehemently. But, rather than respond on Twitter where I am restricted to 140 characters, I decided to write this to provide a more nuanced view of my disagreement. This view results from a pendulum swing reaction to the [...]
At Move Theory, we interrupt our series on Dogma and Child Development to bring you this very special letter from Dr. Sara Biggs Chaney. She is a scholar, but here she writes as the mother of a brilliant, special child who is being bullied at school. I have spoken before on this subject, but I [...]
A 7 year old? Seriously? A colleague posted this story on her Facebook page the other day. I was expecting outrage at the exploitation and early specialization of this child across the board. I saw a lot of it. But here is one comment I saw among all the outrage: [...]
My good friend and colleague Eric Chessen, from Autism Fitness, shared a New York Times article the other day entitled “For Better Grades, Try Gym Class “. At first, when I saw the title and the lead in, I was happy. I said, “Yes, someone is sharing more quality evidence that Active Play is necessary [...]
I think I disagree with my brilliant friend Meg Rosker on her latest post. There has been this question lately of whether to let kids take more of a leadership role in their development. I am tackling this because, although the resources I share here live in the academic world, the physical education environment needs [...]
I am sort of interrupting my flow in the current series to talk about an important and related topic in the news lately. These crime flash mobs that have been popping up lately are a concern. I have been listening to person after person discuss their thoughts on this, and it’s time to add the [...]
Base Camp Two – Content At the other end of the spectrum (usually) from the Montessori, child-directed learning school of thought are those who believe that education and development must include certain content if children are to grow up and become successful, well-adjusted citizens. This content issue is one that is present in both physical [...]
In Part I, we discussed “base camp I” – Montessori-type models of allowing children to choose their learning path. The main criticism of this approach is that when kids get to the next step, sometimes they are missing certain skills or knowledge that are important for college, job, etc. In Part II, we discussed “base [...]
This list is not meant to attack parents. This list is a gift from me to you based on 15 years of experience working with children across all economic “categories”, in widely different communities, reading and synthesizing the research, and listening to parents, colleagues, and KIDS! 1. Forget about traditional team sports being the only [...]
This is a guest blog from new Move Theory guest blogger Natalie Hunter. Natalie and I met online and she told me about an idea she wanted to discuss with parents. I hope this sparks some great discussion! Natalie hunter grew up wanting to be a teacher, and is currently a blogger for Online Schools. [...]
Did anyone see the special on ABC last night on young models? Ridiculous. Let’s go into your average American home and have a couple of conversations… Conversation 1: Girl, 15 years old: “Hey, Mom and Dad! I really want to move out, start my own life as a mother. I’m ready to get pregnant.” Parents: [...]
Hey Move Theory Community! Welcome to my 3 part series on ADHD In this first part of the series, we will explore what ADHD most likely is and the features of behavior in kids that have a diagnosis of ADHD. In the second part of the series, I will dissect the pros and cons of [...]
Move Theory Series on ADHD Part II: Treatment Pros and Cons This part of the series is pretty cut and dry – I just want to outline for you some of the treatment options that are out there for children that truly suffer from ADHD. Nothing in this post will be about what I endorse [...]
Let me bring new readers up to date. In Part I of this series, we discussed what ADHD is, including “symptoms”, possible causes, and a couple of ideas on likely brain mechanisms. In Part II, we outlined what the treatment options are currently for children diagnosed with ADHD, and the pros and cons of each. [...]
I was inspired to write this post today by my good friend and brother in arms, Brian Grasso (we founded the IYCA and created the first training materials together). He first called an end to the information age on a phone call about 4-5 years ago. We came to the conclusion that with the internet [...]
It has been, seemingly, in vogue to complain about “these teenagers” nowadays. “They are so lazy.” “All they do is play video games.” “They are organizing flash mobs and causing trouble”. Hmmm…that’s funny, I have known over a thousand teens in my career. You know, actual human teenagers, not just the abstractions people discuss in [...]
On the Move Theory Facebook page, I recently shared a video I love with Michelle Obama dancing with kids. She was encouraging them to be active through example – engaging and dancing with them. She has done scores of events like this, each one truly wonderful. I want you to watch the video, then let’s [...]
Watch below. My plan is to settle the debate. Once the membership site launches, I will be voraciously attacking subjects like this with even greater detail. In this form, my statement is here to spark a conversation – so have at it! Let me know what you think – and don’t forget to click the [...]
If I see one more “youth fitness” program, or “exercise for kids” program, I am going to barf. Think first about why most people hate exercise – it’s monotonous, boring, uninspiring. And it feels like work. This is the legacy you want to leave our children? This is why Active Play and the FUNction Method [...]
Nutritionists in at least one school system have decided now to begin serving kids lunch at 9:30 because some kids are coming to school hungry. The idea is to make sure the kids aren’t in a fasting state for half of the school day. I will mention first that, for me, the worst part of [...]
…into predetermined paths We have used both of the opposing views 1)that children are genetically predetermined 2) that children are blank slates …to predetermine children’s paths. This has to stop. Children are born with certain traits. They are capable of changing those traits. It is only in understanding the simultaneous truth of both of these [...]
…and had an experience I would like to share with you. It was an extremely beautiful day outside, so I walked slow. I’m glad I did, because I ran across a mom and her two kids. They were riding their bikes and she was walking the dogs. I said hi to all of them, and [...]
So, now everyone is gone that had anything to do with the Sandusky child molestations at Second Mile and Penn State. Heads rolled. And they were supposed to. It is with a heavy heart that I write this today. But my heart is not heavy for the same unfortunate reason as so many others. I [...]
The FUNction Method is the first truly complete method for solving childhood inactivity. This Method is based in principles of neural development. It was created because too often programs that educate or “train” children and teens are not based in understanding how the brain and spinal cord interact with the body. This is a problem, [...]
A PE teacher that I know recently asked for help… He has 100 kids in a small space with only himself and one other teacher! This guy knows what he is doing, is really passionate about being a physical educator, and is reaching out. He was asking for suggestions on what to do with the [...]
Watch the video, then I will say what I have to say! What could have led to these poor choices from adults? 1. The foster parents in question lack the skill to take care of these children 2. The foster parents lack the support they need to take care of these children 3. It’s cheaper [...]
This is a day I have waited for with great eagerness. The FUNction Method took 20 years to create. Our membership site, www.myfunctionmethod.com took months to construct. Now I bring you… You want to solve childhood inactivity, and you realize that what we’ve been doing collectively isn’t working You are a parent, coach, PE teacher, [...]
So, here’s a provocative question, right? We hear a lot of talk about “screen time” these days being the downfall of childhood, and causing all manner of difficulties from ADHD to childhood obesity, to the breakdown of the family unit. Well, I would like to address this view in the way that we always do [...]
We have been looking to the wrong leaders to solve “childhood obesity”. In fact, some of these groups and their misunderstanding of the problem have caused them to name it poorly. The actual problem, as I have been saying for some time, is the “childhood inactivity/malnutrition epidemic.” I know, not as catchy, but certainly better [...]
As I said in Part I of this series, this is not about attacking people. The goal is not controversy – truly, that is an empty path. Our goal, as always at Move Theory, is to find solutions to the primary problem I have been working to solve for more than a decade: childhood inactivity [...]
So far in this series, I have written about why I think physicians and professional athletes are the wrong people to lead the fight against childhood obesity. Again, it’s not wrong for these groups to be involved – in fact it is necessary. Also, if people in these groups have taken the time to expand [...]
Should academics be integrated into physical education? Is that even really the question we should be asking? It is high time the question of whether to integrate academics with physical education is addressed by a neuroscientist who happens to also be a well seasoned movement specialist. I spent a lot of time over the two [...]
I tend to point out the roadblocks in solving our nation’s childhood activity problem. I don’t do this to be negative, or to say I think these things should discourage us. I do this for the exact opposite reason – to show us the the hurdles we must clear in our quest to do this [...]
We need to solve childhood obesity. Parents aren’t listening. Some of them see no problem with their child being “a little thick”. I know! I have a great idea! Let’s put up billboards of fat kids so that they will be ostracized even more by their peers and feel even worse about themselves! Oh…wait…that wasn’t [...]
Too often, and especially in the United States, our “movement vocabulary” is so limited. When talking about what really should be called Active Play, we call it “moderate to vigorous physical activity”. Does that sound like something you want to do? Words matter! Because the words we use absolutely lead to the solutions we choose. [...]
For the first time, January 20-22, The FUNction Method came to Canada. This was a truly special weekend with truly special people, and I want to commemorate it with this list. Read on… The Catalysts: The way that Mark McTavish and David Kittner worked tirelessly and thoughtfully to put this group together. Mark giving up [...]
Someone said a few years ago that I was “allergic to money” That my decisions made no sense, because I could be making a lot more money. While they could not have been more wrong, I found this to be such a profound statement: That “criticism” helped me realize what I am actually allergic to: [...]
I just saw an article come out on Twitter, written by a guy who has these easy to use manuals for “kids exercise”. His latest article advocates the use of mini-cardio equipment for kids. He thinks this is a “good” piece of equipment for kids to use, because they can still exercise during screen time. [...]
Who are the forgotten children? They are between 8 and 15 years old. They are neither obese nor well muscled. They don’t play on sports teams. Maybe they do something active once in a while, but it’s not a regular thing for them to engage in vigorous physical activity. They don’t have any clinical disorders, [...]
How courageous are you? That’s a question I ask myself daily. The fact is, it isn’t easy to change convention. Despite all the overwhelming evidence for the value of addressing skill, Active Play, and social development simultaneously, it is difficult to get major traction and attention when you are going against the grain. But what [...]
I Was a Kid Who Needed Help Pediatrics just came out with a study showing how powerful “feeling left out” is in shaping physical activity habits. When kids during a computer game weren’t tossed the ball – they were subsequently less physically active than they were before! The ostracizing didn’t even have to happen during [...]
Our daughter will be born sometime in the next seven days. I decided to sit down and write this letter. I then decided to share it with everyone because I think it’s important to discuss how we feel about our children, our role, and their place in the world. This is my take on fatherhood [...]
Ok, I don’t hate books. I have many, and have enjoyed reading them. I just put that title up to get your attention (tee hee, I’m naughty). But I do think that they are outdated as a means of communicating knowledge. This is why I don’t want to write them and designed a membership site [...]
Neuroscience is often misinterpreted. Engaging kids in Active Play and Physical Education is no different. I see these curricula with hundreds, sometimes thousands of games. When we see PE and physical activity programs, we say… “This is great, the kids are constantly getting stimulated with something new” “Look at how many games there are” We [...]
There are two videos at the end of this article, but let me try to frame them for you. I have been talking for a long time about the fact that “physical activity” doesn’t have to be about “exercise”, or the narrow selection of sports available in most communities. I must stress that I have [...]
People often email me videos like the one below, and ask me what I think about it. This woman, Lena Fokina, has been swinging babies around for years, claiming that “people are unaware of what babies are capable of”. Everyone under the sun, especially people in fitness and sports, have been condemning this practice. Watch [...]
A few months ago, we had a discussion on the Move Theory Facebook Page on whether youth sports “builds character”. It got a lot of great responses, and some pretty strong opinions. There are those who think sports to have become irreparably evil, and some who think it something every kid needs. I’ve gotta tell [...]
When the human eye focuses in on the details of a picture, it always loses the detail around the picture. It is no different for a teacher, parent, or coach. I have been bringing Active Play in one form or another directly to kids and adolescents for 15 years now through sports, play based programming, [...]
Yes, I am using a platform usually dedicated to solving childhood inactivity to explore a bigger issue: That there are those among us who hold the lives of some children at greater value than other children. And yes, I am referencing what just happened to the young man Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. I want [...]
At the end of this week, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education, the professional organization for PE Teachers (and many more), will hold it’s annual advocacy day on Capital Hill, where they advocate for more PE in the schools. I love PE Teachers. I am a staunch advocate for PE in the schools. [...]
I am so disheartened by what has been uncovered with the New Orleans Saints recently. Disheartened for several reasons. One, because I think football is such a fun, beautiful game when played right – with joy, abandon, effort, togetherness, focus, and creativity. Two, because I know this happens in high school. And things that trickle [...]
What does real Active Play look like? I often talk about mixing competitive games and cooperative games in The FUNction Method. And I find that people say “yeah, so it’s like PE right?” No, it’s not like PE. I don’t care about units, or testing. All I care about is eliciting movement play through creativity. [...]
…since I explained The FUNction Method membership site. So I created a new video that explains the whole thing: The philosophy behind it, what kind of content we have, etc.
After 15 years working (playing) with many different kids in many different types of environments, and training professionals, I am struck by what appears to be, for all intents and purposes, a caste system with regard to children’s Active Play opportunities. A caste system that strengthens in the adolescent years. And it stems partly from [...]
I said this to some friends the other day: The most effective way to prevent change is to view it as an impossible dream, rather than what it actually is – a series of actions This is something that sort of stuck in my head after having a few conversations with colleagues and family. I [...]
