Embodied Learning.......

Last week I used some dance movement to teach my son the cardinal points. He is only five years of age and I thought that using some steps through creative dance would be nice for him, and give him an outlet to release some pent up energy. He reached up north, melted south, skipped to the east and rolled to the west. At story time that night, while I was reading one of his favourtie dinosaur stories he interuppted me by saying "mommy when my hands go up it's what again?" I stopped reading and looked at him and smiled. "It's North" I replied. "yes and when I go down that's south!" I smiled and told him well done.

I was amazed that he was still thinking about those movements in his head long after we were finished with the exercise. But that's embodied learning isn't it? The movement was tangible and free and I allowed him to choose some of the movements as well. He laughed a lot especially when doing the warm up and rolling on the floor and I couldn't help but enjoy the session even more. And this is what we do with our students isn't it? I know that now that when I mention the cardinal points he will remember. I think about what my students remember ...the emotion that connects us with the movements bring some of the deepest meanings....the joy on their faces, the feeling of accomplishment.....movement and memories that will always remain with them.......the joys of moving...