Musings of a Dance/Movement Therapist

The Moving Child a film about the Vital Role of Movement in Children's Development

Movement matters.

Children grow through movement. By moving, they learn to communicate, express feelings, heal trauma, make friends, and learn to live in the world.

How a child moves indicates their developmental stage and communicates their needs. Healthy neurology, shaped by early sensory and movement experiences in relationship with caregivers, is what supports a child in all learning and developmental tasks. The way we support our children's moving bodies ultimately shapes our entire culture. Most folks do not currently have much knowledge of movement's importance in child development. That is why the message of this film needs to be shared!

Children need to move, but HOW?

Support the making of this film. With 61 hours left, 51% or $16,547 is still needed.

The Moving Child is a film that aims to help support children in their physical, emotional, social and mental development by educating adults about the important role that dynamic movement plays in a child's wellbeing.

Movement matters and impacts all aspects of development! This film shows HOW that happens and WHAT we need to be concerned about right now in children's sensorimotor development. Kids are getting stuck!

Integrating approaches from diverse movement therapies, the film shares best practices to support children's self-expression and naturally unfolding movement ability from in utero through age six.

The Moving Child will be an amazing tool for anyone who cares about how child wellbeing impacts our world!

 

Octaband a Good Way to Bring Kids together in Bosnia

In May, Margy Grosswendt will bring the Octaband to Bosnia where she will volunteer for the second time, teaching creative movement to a large group of 2.5-5 year olds, a staff class, and a teen class in a government-run orphanage. Margy will use a combination of play, breathing, creative movement, dance (jazz), yoga, and Pilates.

Margie wrote to say that her first trip was last October/November and she is returning for a month this coming May. 

"The fall trip went really well and I only wish I'd had a university student or a professional with me as the results were astonishing.  Especially with the very young group, aka "Baby 2."  Not being a psychologist I don't quite understand what happened, but it seemed to be that they opened up and connected with me and their bodies and their emotions in a profound way. 

The lessons for the Baby 2 group ran 45-50 minutes.  I had 18 kids with a variety of needs and backgrounds.  Their primary "nanny" plus my translator was with me not to mention my music.  I'm not sure how I did it, but I was able to hold their attention for this period of time; the staff psychologist and director said it was not the norm. 

The Octaband should be a good way to bring the kids together.

The photo above is not of Margy, but of Julia Priest, doing a Music Together group with preschool children. Endless gratitude to Julia and to the preschool and parents of preschoolers as well as the preschoolers themselves for these wonderful photos.