We have been hearing a lot lately about the challenges of physical, big-body play during the school day. Sadly, there are many: time, space, ideas, other adults, and safety. Legitimate challenges. But that is it, they are challenges, and they are not roadblocks. And there are always two sides to every story. Let's take safety for [...]
We would love for you to help us understand your challenges to big-body, physical play in the school day. Our survey is less than 2 minutes and gives us an idea of what your challenges might be. If you have more to say, please feel free to email us at smartfun@pivottoplay.com. We welcome your [...]
As a child, a grassy hill was a slice of heaven. Its location was shared among neighborhood friends and bragged about among schoolmates. A hill meant one thing and one thing only: rolling. Rolling like that is the ultimate in vestibular input and children used to find log rolling down hills among the most [...]
As early childhood educators, we know intuitively that children who cannot settle their bodies and minds cannot learn. They disrupt their classrooms and cause challenges for their teachers and peers. And, this unsettled feeling makes school harder than it needs to be, breeding frustration rather than fostering a love of learning. The best way [...]
Communication. We need it in life, we need it in school. It is vital to classroom success. Without it, a successful journey through school, and life, is hard. To communicate we need to be able to hear and see and we need our brains to process what we hear and see. We also need [...]
Auditory Processing and Big-Body Play It is happening more and more frequently: I am standing right next to a child and saying his name repeatedly, but he is looking elsewhere and doesn't "hear" me. I turn to his teachers and ask, "Can he hear?" To which the answer is, yes. I [...]
Looking for some fun ways to put your hula hoops to use? Check it out -- 7 ways to put hoops to use in big body physical play that help kids practice perceptual motor skills while building sensory skills, strengths, and other crucial classroom skills! Here are some ideas: Our coaches will tell you [...]
The Jungle Gym and the Monkey Bars have lasted far longer than the Pet Rock and In-Line skates. They have stood the test of time against Rock-em-Sock-em-Robots and the Pogo Stick. Why could that be? We will argue it is because they lean into a child's innate need to be physical and creative. Their simplicity means [...]
Children W-sit to give themselves a wider base of support, making it easier to balance. However, W-sitting limits the development of the core strength necessary to sit up properly. It also limits trunk rotation thereby reducing the opportunity of crossing the midline. So after age 3, children who w-sit should be regularly encouraged to [...]
As an adult, you may be an avid golfer or pickleball fanatic. You may be or have been a musician or even a knitter. These may seem like they have nothing to do with each other, but they all require three of the Pivot to Play® Strengths and Skills: crossing the midline, grip strength [...]
