Supporting powerpoint presentation for Movement & Mindfulness 103 webinar with Leah Kalish, MA.

1. Movement & Mindfulness 103
Skills for Healthier Kids
Leah Kalish, MA: leah@move-with-me.com
www.move-with-me.com
818-667-3689
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2. TEAM
• Leah Kalish, MA, a recognized expert in movement, yoga, and social-emotional
education, has created many successful products/curricula for companies, such as
Barefoot Books, Yoga Ed. and School Specialty. She founded Move with Me™ to
support young children in being physically fit, emotionally stable and learning able.
• Wendy Piret, BS, is a Developmental Movement Education Specialist with years of
experience teaching children. She is a licensed Brain Gym® Instructor, a certified
Yoga Ed. Instructor, and a craniosacral practitioner specializing in pediatrics. With
her collaborator, Liz Bragdon, she is the co-creator of the Movement &
Mindfulness Curriculum and the instructor in the Scooter & Me movement
adventure series.
• Liz Bragdon, MA, is a certified Yoga Teacher and veteran early childhood educator.
She leads assemblies for Young Audiences and teaches at schools, libraries, gyms,
and studios. With her good friend, Wendy Piret, she is co-creator of the
Movement & Mindfulness Curriculum, and the writer of the Scooter & Me
movement adventure series.
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3. Objectives
• Learn last 4 Adventure Skills. Review all and how to
integrate them as part of school/home culture.
• Understand the Triune Brain’s 3 “states of mind” and
how to help children integrate them to support SEL.
– March of Penguins
– 3 Brain Games
• Understand the impact of technology on brain
development and how to balance negative affects.
• Understand the profound benefits of nature and
outdoor play on development and self-regulation.
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4. Movement and play grow brain cells by boosting BDNF (Brain Derived
Neurotrophic Factor). They also stimulate other positive physiological
responses shown to regulate and integrate the CNS. Research shows
definitely that the more we move, the stronger, smarter, more aware, in
control, and able to learn we become.
Why?:
•Build strength, coordination, balance and fitness
•Organize and connect both sides of the brain for optimal learning
•Improve focus, concentration, and memory
•Maintain a healthy body, heart, mind, and weight
•Feel confident and alert (Self-Regulation)
•Develop self-awareness (Mindfulness / EF)
•Have fun with friends (SEL) 4

5. Play Through the Day
• Everyone should play/exercise for 60 - 90 minutes every day!
• Play outside instead of watching TV or playing video games.
• Take Yoga, Game, or Movement to Music breaks every 30-60 min.
• Use Adventure Skills with chants and rhythmic movement.
• Use Books to inspire Creative Movement – act out the story.
• Organize Games, Sports or Obstacle Courses at recess time
Resources:
Move with Me Kelly Bear
The Learning Station SPARK
Angelique Felix Nature.org
Action for Healthy Kids ChildrenandNature.org
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6. 6
Releases stress and tension from the body, especially in your
back, legs, shoulders, and neck. Use it after you’ve been
focusing or sitting and feel tight, tired, or irritable.
Kitty cat, kitty cat furry and black - “Meow, meow”.
Kitty cat, kitty cat arches her back.
Kitty cat, kitty cat when she’s afraid,
Kitty cat, kitty cat pushes away (round back)
Kitty cat, kitty cat watch out now…
Here come Dog to chase you down! (downward dog pose)

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Helps you turn a frown
upside down and a
disappointment into a
bright idea!
Try it when you hear bad or
sad news, are disappointed
or discouraged, feel down or
defeated.
When I feel - Oh No!!
I hold my forehead,
Massage my brow,
Breathe in deeply
I know how...
I breathe out slowly
I let my fears sink
I feel my heart clear …
bump-bump, bump-bump,
Then, I think - Ah Yes!!
I know what to say...
“It’s going to be a wonderful
day”

8. 8
Fish Breath is a silly way to use deep breathing to relax your brain
and recharge your body. Use it when you need to blow off steam
or when you feel tired or foggy and want to clear your mind.
One fin on my belly, I let it rest
The other fin, I bring up to my chest,
I need to do something; I feel like goop!
So, I breathe in deep and …
Bloop, bloop, bloooooooooooooooooooop!

9. Regulation Integration
To improve health, behavior, & learning, SR /
mindfulness must become part of the culture:
•Regularity – schedule time to practice daily
•Repetition – builds neural pathways = habit
•Reflection – noticing sensations is essential to
strengthening new neural pathways
•Personalization – support kids in becoming
prescriptive with techniques/skills for themselves
•Include Family – share with parents/ care-givers to
use at home

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11. Drop Off Offer Water
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Oh No! Ah Yes!
Deep Down Wisdom
Ability to think, learn, calm and interact
Center, relax body, calm mind
Attention, focus and awareness
Invites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes
focus
Transition to Circle Monkey Wisdom
Infinity 8’s
Oh No! Ah Yes!
Deep Down Wisdom
Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skills
Eye-teaming, binocular vision, stress relief
Attention, focus and awareness
Invites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes
focus
Transition to Active Time Monkey Wisdom Variations
Full Sensing Mode/Elephant Wisdom
Full Scanning Mode
Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skills
Relaxation, auditory clarity, balance
Center, relax body, calm mind
Transition to Clean-up Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Full Sensing Mode/Elephant Wisdom
Full Scanning Mode
Center, relax body, calm mind
Relaxation, auditory clarity, balance
Center, relax body, calm mind
Transition to Quiet Time Drink Water
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Deep Down Wisdom
Breathe/Fish Breath
Ability to think, learn, calm and interact
Center, relax body, calm mind
Invites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes
focus
Intentional conscious self-regulation, calm
Academic/Detail Work Monkey Wisdom
Infinity 8’s
Rock the Boat
Whole brain learning, gross and fine motor skills
Eye-teaming, binocular vision, stress relief
Relaxation, attentiveness, memory
Conflict Rock the Boat
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Cat Wisdom
Deep Down Wisdom
Relaxation, attentiveness, memory
Center, relax body, calm mind
Stress relief, relaxation of the Tendon Guard Reflex
Invites calm, dissipates fear and anger, promotes
focus
Emotionally Triggered Drink Water
Fish Breath
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Breathe/Fish Breath
Ability to think, learn, calm and interact
Oxygenation, restoration
Center, relax body, calm mind
Intentional conscious self-regulation, calm

12. TIME TO PLAY MORE, STRESS LESS ADVENTURE SKILLS
Drop Off Offer Water
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Oh No! Ah Yes!
Deep Down Wisdom
Transition to Circle Monkey Wisdom
Infinity 8’s
Oh No! Ah Yes!
Deep Down Wisdom
Transition to Active Time Monkey Wisdom Variations
Full Sensing Mode/Elephant Wisdom
Full Scanning Mode
Transition to Clean-up Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Full Sensing Mode/Elephant Wisdom
Full Scanning Mode
Transition to Quiet Time Drink Water
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Deep Down Wisdom
Breathe/Fish Breath
Academic/Detail Work Monkey Wisdom
Infinity 8’s
Rock the Boat
Conflict Rock the Boat
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Cat Wisdom
Deep Down Wisdom
Emotionally Triggered Drink Water
Fish Breath
Humming Breath/Ocean Wisdom
Breathe/Fish Breath
Confusion Monkey Wisdom
Full Sensing Mode/Elephant Wisdom

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14. Self–Care Messages
• I am valued and cared for.
• My well-being is important.
• I can help myself feel well.
• When I feel well, I can do well.
• I can ground, soothe, shift, and focus myself.
• I am full of love, health, and intelligence.
• I respect & support others as I do myself.
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15. 15
Triune Brain Theory
-Professor Paul D. McLean

16. 3 States of Mind &
3 Stages of Development
• Brain Stem: Body, Senses, Instincts,
Automatic, Reflexes, Non-verbal - Survival
• Mid-Brain: Heart, Emotions, Relationship,
Memory, Morality - Connections
• NeoCortex: Reason, Reflect, Communicate,
Plan, Create - Executive Functions
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17. Brain Integration
Vertically
Physical & Emotional Safety (brain stem) AND
Connection & Understanding (mid-brain) unlock the
door to higher thinking.
•Clear, Consistent Rules & Boundaries - Safe
•Accurate, Compassionate Mirroring - Seen
•Support, Consequences, Nurturing - Supported
•Movement, Play, Senses, Self-Care – Stimulated
•Reflection & Acknowledgement – Strengthened
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18. Brain Hemispheres
Right Brain: Holistic, Non-Verbal, Emotional, Intuitive,
Imaginative – Empathy & Creativity
Left Brain: Linear, Literal, Linguistic, Logical – Analysis &
Execution
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19. Brain Integration
Horizontally
Young Children are Right Brain dominant. They
do well with non-verbal, emotional safety, and
physical & sensory activities. They are
responding mostly to your “state” & coherence.
Fuel children’s Left Brain development with
pretend play, story-telling, motor skills, self-
regulation activities, reflection, problem-solving,
and games that develop self-awareness,
cooperation, & social and emotional intelligence.
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20. Impact of Stress
Stress blocks access to Brain Integration &
Executive Functions:
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrition
• Inability to self-soothe or regulate
• Developmentally inappropriate activities /
expectations
• Your stress
“Stress makes us stupid”. Daniel Goleman
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22. Ways To Access
Executive Function
• Decrease Stress
• Use Embodied Self-Care and Regulation as needed
• Increase Music, Play, & Games
• Integrate Intentional Movement (Yoga, Karate,
Thai Chi, Breathing) – before transitioning to an
academic activity
• Use Books for Movement Stories
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23. Stories in Motion
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Purpose: To inspire early literacy, movement,
creativity, and a love of learning. To integrate self-
care/self-regulation skills with characters from the
story. Reading supports a wide range of positive
outcomes, from phonological awareness to social
emotional learning and self-awareness.
Materials: The recommended lesson book or a book of
your choice
Standards: PDH, SED, ATL, LD, LKS, CAE, SSKS, ELD
Procedure: Read each book at least twice in the
course of the week

24. Stories in Motion
Book Suggestions
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle
• Panda Bear, Panda Bear by Eric Carle
• The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
• The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle
• The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
• Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
• My Daddy is a Pretzel by Baron Baptiste
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang
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25. Brain Games
Children are better able to identify, manage, and sustain
their own well-being, emotions, and impulses when they
have:
•Basic info on brain - body health
•Basic understanding of the Triune Brain
•Kinesthetic experience of the 3 States of Mind
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26. Power of Hydration
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Purpose: To reinforce the principle that water is the most easily
accessed and frequently needed Adventure Skill, to demonstrate
that water is a powerful conductor of electricity and that the
human body, consisting of between 65%-75% water, needs to
remain well-hydrated in order to deliver its millions of
electrochemical messages.
Materials: Dehydrated green plant, energy ball*, cup of water
Standards Addressed: AtL, LR, LD, SKS, PHD
* Energy Balls are available at most educational supply stores including Safari, Ltd

27. A Musical Bus Tour of the Brain
*music by Eve Kodiak
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Brain Area - Dimension
Neocortex - Communication (Laterality)
Robots
Shoulders/Neck
Limbic - Coordination (Centering)
Swimmers
Chest/Stomach
Reptilian - Focus (Verticality)
Penguins
Back/Calves
March of the Penguins

28. Movements
Penguin Swimmer
Robot
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29. Bus Tour of Brain
• First Stop – waddle, exploring in dark… look down/lean
forward (over-focus) then look up/lean back (under-
focus)… Find center
• Second Stop – swim, flow slow, figure 8… bump into
each other… expand up… sink down … calm and make
room for everyone.
• Third Stop – robots walk forward / backward, arms
up/out - down/together. Rock/lean left…rock/lean
right … find middle.
• Script & Music @ move-with-me.com/march-of-the-penguins
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State of Mind Game
Purpose: To understand the three
different levels of cognition or
“States of Mind”, to develop the
ability to intentionally self-regulate
by shifting our state of mind.
Materials: 4 large dice, sidewalk
chalk
Standards Addressed: PDH, SED,
AtL, LR, LD, LKS, MKS, SKS, CAE, ELD

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Our survival brain is activated by stress!
Hold fists, act mean, ready to fight or flee.
Call “JUMP up & Down!” (wait 2-3
seconds) then “FREEZE!” Repeat 2-3
times.
Our mid-brain -the ocean of emotion!
I’m calm. I can feel & manage my feelings.
(Kids act out emotions)
Sad - Excited – Confused – Tired – Scared –
Happy – Frustrated – Guilty - Loving
Our cortex thinking brain, where we plan, communicate, and
take action. We feel confident, courageous, determined.
Introduce yourself to each other and shake hands
Hug a friend, or two, and tell them what you had for breakfast
Skip and pat your head
Invite a child to give directions to the group

32. Pass the Message
Purpose: To demonstrate that learning new tasks is easier and
faster with repetition, to show, kinesthetically, how the brain
prunes what isn’t used, in order to become more efficient and
strengthen what is being used, to develop higher level thinking
such as: cooperation, teamwork, and decision making.
Materials: Paper, timer
(Best with big group)
Standards Addressed: PDH, SED, AtL, LR, LKS, MKS, SKS, ELD
Brain Game Directions @ move-with-me.com/3-brain-games
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33. • Promotes creative problem solving - apply to conflicts.
• Facilitates better language skills and communication.
• Improves memory and learning – apply thru-out the day.
• Builds focus, attention, and sustained concentration.
• Develops impulse control – I can contain & re-direct my self!
• Strengthens balance & coordination = builds brain & confidence
• Regulates body weight = well-being
• Calms, sooths, integrate CNS = natural self-regulation
• Reduces stress and anxiety
Benefits of Games
(PDH, SED, AtL, LR, LD, CAE)
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34. Technology
• Inundating
• Distracting
• Speeds up and stresses NS - decreases EF
• Decreases time in human interaction
• Decreases active & imaginative play time
• Decreases self-awareness, mindfulness
• Develops specific skills and kind of thinking
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35. Balance is Key
• Video Games, like stories and any other activity
you repeat, are Teachers – we must use wisely.
• Make sure children get plenty of human closeness,
Nature, healthy play, food, sleep. Planning ahead.
• Yoga, mindfulness, sensory activities shown to
increase memory and inhibitory control (EF).
• Activities that involve caring, collaboration,
connection, and empathy, so children develop
attunement, peacefulness, the ability to self-
regulate, and their own creative expression.
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36. Power of Nature
• The GREAT REGULATOR – more time in nature
means healthier, happier kids!
• Boosts immune system, mood, mental health
• Reduces stress, asthma, myopia, depression,
anxiety, Vit D deficiency, and obesity
• Increases fitness, creativity, confidence, focus,
self-regulation (EF)
• For Health – green activities/environments are a
necessary balance to modern life
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37. Research Highlights
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•Decrease off-task behavior in preschool age children (Dr.
Jennifer Dustow, Autism Project, 2009)
•Improve creative problem solving, language skills, and memory
(Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., The Cognitive Benefits of Play: Effects on
the Learning Brain, 2008)
•Increases attention span and ability to ignore distractions and
concentrate effectively
•Enhances behavioral regulation, metacognition, and overall
global executive function (Flook, Smalley, Kitil, Galla, Kaiser-
Greenland, Locke, Ishijima, Kasari, 2010, Napoli, Krech, & Holley,
2005)

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• Over-rides the body’s physiological response to stress
• Stimulates the release of BDNF, which grows the brain (Ratey,
2008)
• Improves the cognitive control of attention
• Enhances academic performance (Hillman, CH, Pontifex, MB, Raine,
LB, Castelli, DM, Hall, EE, Kramer, AF, 2009)
•Focus attention and engage participant in an empathic response,
creating a significant physiological effect on the body and on
behavioral choices. (Paul Zak, 2013)
•Activate episodic memory and light up the whole brain for learning
(Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules, 2010)

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•Unifies and integrates mind/body experience (Journal of Cognitive and
Behavioral Practice 2009)
•Organizes whole-brain function for optimal learning (Dennison and
Hannaford, 1999)
•Improves executive functions (Science 2011)
•Concentrates BDNF in the hippocampus, enhances long term memory
retention (Ratey, 2008)
Nature
ChildrenandNature.org

40. Bibliography
• Teaching to the Brain’s Natural Learning Systems, Barbara K.
Given
• You Can Heal Your Child, The 60 Seconds Fix, Brain Charge - K-
12 Curriculum, Dr. Regalena Melrose
• The Whole Brain Child, MindSight, Dr. Dan Siegel
• The Mindful Child, Susan Kaiser Greenland
• Movement & Mindfulness Curriculum, Wendy Piret, Liz
Bragdon, Leah Kalish
• Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman
• Molecules of Emotion, Candace Pert
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