Teaching With The Body In Mind

Each week, Mike, Tom, Ross, and Joey reflect on the connection between moving and thinking. The discussions remind us that teachers should be supporting children's bodies as well as their minds.

TWTBIM_0347 It All Goes Better With Action 09/23/2025

TWTBIM_0347 It All Goes Better With Action Joey's gathering ideas for building relationships with children in a way that doesn't rely exclusively on language. The list gets started: sharing their perspective, connecting children with other children, taking the "temperature" during greetings, playing near them, narrating not interrogating, and making faces. Tom points out how barriers can actually invite interraction and Joey brainstorms a box door that she wants to prototype. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/38318475

TWTBIM_0346 Dance to the Beat of the Drum 09/16/2025

TWTBIM_0346 Dance to the Beat of the Drum All the talk of danicng in the last episode has Mike thinking about drumming. He suggests the metaphor of teacher as drummer, setting the foundation for the group. (We can't resist a good metaphor!) When things are flowing nicely, the drummer can even drop out and the group keeps playing along. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/38212895

TWTBIM_0345 Correspondence 09/09/2025

TWTBIM_0345 Correspondence Refreshed from a summer break, the group is ready to dive into deep thinking with Tom. He's brought some light reading to decipher. What does it mean to correspond with children versus interact? Ross's school dance analogy is just the thing to help everyone understand. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/38117370

ENCORE EPISODE: Creating the Conditions 08/27/2025

ENCORE EPISODE: Creating the Conditions Tom's parking cars at the State Fair, Joey and Ross are busy setting up classrooms, and Mike is prepping for another possible podcast (more later). Enjoy this encore eposide in the meantime! What happens if you create the conditions where children know they can try things vs. run a classroom where children are allowed to do things? It's a subtle difference that can lead to a stance of curiosity and appreciation. It can be as simple as the set up for how children access paint or having towels easily available for messy play. (Originally aired September 2022) /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37955235

TWTBIM_0344 Effort and Attention 08/19/2025

TWTBIM_0344 Effort and Attention A recent experience with new glasses has Joey thinking about executive function and how effort drains attention. Adults often forget the effort involved in tasks that seem like they should be automatic such as walking down a hallway in a line, sitting in a group for storytime, washing hands or unzipping a backpack. If we watch for signs of effort, perhaps we can lighten the load for children instead of burdening them with sequences of difficult tasks. It might make everyone's day more pleasant. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37743015

TWTBIM_00343 Exploring Boundaries 08/12/2025

TWTBIM_00343 Exploring Boundaries Tom has some questions about boundaries and rules. For children, the edges of boundaries are the interesting part. Boundaries are more "stretchy" and can be more dynamic than rules. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37742875

TWTBIM_0342 Table Centric 08/05/2025

TWTBIM_0342 Table Centric Early childhood classrooms are often "table-centric." What experiences might children miss when activities are confined to tables? Are table-centric spaces also teacher-centric? /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37674360

TWTBIM_0341 The Need to Fall 07/29/2025

TWTBIM_0341 The Need to Fall Ross values falling as an important skill. When children fall, they are learning about balance. Tom sees it as way to calibrate the vestibular system. Joey feels the creep of worrying about falling as an adult biasing her feelings about falling. Mike, your thoughts? /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37586790

TWTBIM_0340 Spaces Determine Behavior 07/22/2025

TWTBIM_0340 Spaces Determine Behavior Soccer domes say,"Run!" Cozy nooks inspire children to crawl in. Open shelves invite pretend bedtime games. Our spaces are not passive entities. They have unique characteristics that determine behavior. As Tom, Joey and Ross discuss what happens in different types of spaces, they speculate about Mike's position on runways. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37472055

TWTBIM_0339 Objects Can Bring Us Together 07/15/2025

TWTBIM_0339 Objects Can Bring Us Together Joey reflects on social interactions related to desired objects. Conflicts that arise over "things" are not always a problem. When objects promote social interaction, it's a good thing. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37393160

ENCORE EPISODE: Foraging 07/08/2025

ENCORE EPISODE: Foraging With summer in full swing, Joey wants to talk aboout children's foraging for berries and other tasty things. When we trust children's ability to meet their self-care needs in foraging, we can see how capable and competent they are. It's a whole body and mind practice as children rely on their executive function skills and experience immersive sensory input. Tom's grandchildren have been teaching him what to look for on neighborhood walks. Mike knows that tasty plants can be found even in urban environments. (From July 2024) /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37328430

TWTBIM_0338 Ross' Summer Homework 07/01/2025

TWTBIM_0338 Ross' Summer Homework Ross invites us to reflect on our work. Have we been fun to be around? Are we paying attention to the important things? Have we had any "aha" moments? Mike recalls the time he trusted himself--and the children--to study ants. Tom had a perspective shift about what he was watching for. Joey dropped the no fun cooking projects. Ross will be looking for your essays in the coming weeks. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37207230

TWTBIM_0337 Constraints That Regulate 06/24/2025

TWTBIM_0337 Constraints That Regulate Joey leads a conversation about the positive effects of setting constraints when children are overwhelmed. Starting with an example of when children were too enthusiastic about their artistic expressions, the group talks about ways to support children when they are disregulated by their excitement. Tom shares his approach to limiting screen time. Mike supports sore losers in Candyland. Ross talks about consequences involving paper scraps. And everyone has negotiated bad deals with children in good faith. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37102820

TWTBIM_0336 Run Away and Scream 06/17/2025

TWTBIM_0336 Run Away and Scream Mike is fascinated by the way children show their thoughts and feelings about bugs and other interesting (but creepy!) things. Ross sees it as the reverse of the circle of security. Joey recalls a recent encounter with a snapping turtle and Tom is reminded of the time a mouse ran through the classroom. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/37014615

TWTBIM_0335 If You're Not Having Fun 06/10/2025

TWTBIM_0335 If You're Not Having Fun Tom's back and he's ready for some fun. At least he's ready to talk about fun. All this talk of fun brings back Mike's memories of fixing the dryer. Ross argues that a lack of funshuts down pathways to learning. Teachers don't need to be clowns, but it is important to check that fun is present in the work. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36905610

TWTBIM_0334 Holding Back Can be Kind 06/03/2025

TWTBIM_0334 Holding Back Can be Kind Ross wants to talk about the gray areas where we might hold back to build children's capacity for care. When we step back, children can learn how to give the kindness to themselves and each other. Mike shares an experience of toy dumping chaos and a child's power to repair. Joey tells a story of a child who built her sense of agency bit by bit. Mike tries to remember Bandura's elements of agency and everyone likes the metaphor of trees growing stronger in the wind. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36805065

TWTBIM_0333 Bandaids and Crackers, Part 2 05/27/2025

TWTBIM_0333 Bandaids and Crackers, Part 2 Turns out there was more say about acts of caring. From changing wet shirts to loaning out favorite shoes, we have many opportunities to give children care. We may not be able to meet 100% of children’s needs, but we need to be reliable. Mike points out the important thing: finding your favorite napkin may seem like a small thing, but it’s not trivial. Just ask Mike and Ross how they feel about their favorite cereal spoons. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36702685

TWTBIM_0332 Bandaids and Crackers 05/20/2025

TWTBIM_0332 Bandaids and Crackers Children’s comments from teacher appreciation week make Joey reflect on what really matters to the children in our care. Our bandaids and crackers let children know that they are safe and we will help if they get hurt or sick. Mike recalls children's questions of "why don't we learn anything at this school?" Care is something we don't talk about a lot, but it is the essential foundation for learning. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36612445

TWTBIM_0331 Match More, Talk Less 05/13/2025

TWTBIM_0331 Match More, Talk Less Mike encourages us to pay attention, match children's physical actions and use fewer words. He has found this approach to be especially supportive of children who tend to be very quiet and those who are loud and boisterous. It might require us to slow down a little, which can feel hard in the midst of a busy day. Ross reminds us that it's OK because children are not volcano birds. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36521940

TWTBIM__(Encore) Backwards Bike 04/29/2025

TWTBIM__(Encore) Backwards Bike While we're out on our bicycles celebrating spring, we hope you enjoy this conversation. We'll be back with fresh episodes next week. Mike shares a video of the "backwards bike," an excellent example of embodied knowledge. You can explain it, but you can't do it until you can feel it. How many experiences do young children have like this each day? They may "know" something, but can't do it yet. How often do educators experience the frustration of trying to implement new skills and yet fall back into old habits in the moment? (Originally aired January 2023) /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36326245

TWTBIM_0330 Beauty 04/22/2025

TWTBIM_0330 Beauty Tom's been wrestling with the idea of beauty in the classroom. Does it mean markers aligned in rainbow order? Cardboard boxes and duct tape in the sensory table? Is beauty stagnant or dynamic? /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36234380

TWTBIM_0329 Reading and Responding to Energy 04/15/2025

TWTBIM_0329 Reading and Responding to Energy How do we read children’s energy? How do we respond in ways that don't interrupt the flow of child led play? Tom recalls joining in to rough and tumble play to help children regulate. Mike's first instinct is also to join in and help "course correct" if needed. Ross acknowledges the influence of the adult's energy level and the context of prior experiences. Mike brings up Anji Play as an example of an approach that looks very hands off, but actually has a lot of adult intentionality. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36114280

TWTBIM_0328 We Don't Play Like That Anymore 04/08/2025

TWTBIM_0328 We Don't Play Like That Anymore Ross starts to unpack his ideas about ways that play has changed--for children and for teachers. What is the inlfuence of technology? What is the impact of our own play history? There is a subtle worry that children are missing out on experiences in the world and in their own imaginations. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/36023785

TWTBIM_0327 Something Magical About Pretend 04/01/2025

TWTBIM_0327 Something Magical About Pretend Mike shares a glimpse of his new book as he leads a discussion about pretend play. There's something magical about the way children embody their ideas to express themselves and communicate with others. We don't always give children enough credit for the complexity they bring to pretending, from coordinating their movements and vocalizations to express "catness" or sharing knowledge of cultural traditions as they set the table for seder. Check out Mike's new book! /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35923120

TWTBIM_0327 Anti-Phobic Power of Play (Encore Epsiode) 03/25/2025

TWTBIM_0327 Anti-Phobic Power of Play (Encore Epsiode) It's spring break season. While we're away, we hope you enjoy this encore episode that pairs nicely with last week's conversation about safetyism. Tom invites discussion of the anti-phobic powers of children's risky play. Spoiler alert: adults--and their fears--often get in the way, but there is hope that we can rise above our own phobias and create the conditions for mastery. (Tom was inspired by the article, "Children's Risky Play from an Evolutionary Perspective: The Anti-Phobic Effects of Thrilling Experiences.") /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35825335

TWTBIM_0326 Normal and Necessary 03/18/2025

TWTBIM_0326 Normal and Necessary Joey is wrestling with the concept of safetyism and its influence on early childhood practices, including her own. What's on the other end of the continuum? To place it at the opposite end from risky play doesn't feel right because much of what gets shut down in the name of safetyism is just play. Tom notes that safetyism can erode trust and lead to a culture that uses surveillance to monitor caregiving. Mike suggests that the antidote is to let children play and adults talk among themselves about their worries. Ross wonders if the antidote is based in realism and the understanding that children's play is normal and necessary. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35711965

TWTBIM_0325 Unintended Culture 03/11/2025

TWTBIM_0325 Unintended Culture In a follow up to our discussion about unintended challenges, Mike shares research about how children create their own peer culture through unintended use of physical objects. When children observe and follow unwritten physical rules, such as hanging brooms from a basketball hoop, they can be successful at joining into social play. (Thank you to Aaron Neimark for sharing the and topic inspiration.) /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35591710

TWTBIM_0324 Attunement Revisited 03/04/2025

TWTBIM_0324 Attunement Revisited Tom presents descriptions of attunement for discussion. We find surprising parallels between being a teacher in an early childhood classroom and being an indigenous hunter. Both require paying close attention to the environment and sensory experiences. Mike and Ross talk tuning forks and guitar strings. Like tuning instruments, attunement to children is not a fixed state that can be reached, but something that evolves and changes. For newer listeners, you can hear how it all began: /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35498405

TWTBIM_0323 Do As I Say 02/25/2025

TWTBIM_0323 Do As I Say Ross invites us to reflect on our double standards. Do we raise our voices while asking children not to yell? Sing calm down songs in a tense voice? Are there things that adults are allowed to do, but against the rules for children? When we act with intention, we can do what we say. Mike likes to draw children's block buildings. Joey joins in conversations at snack, and Tom used materials at the writing table alongside children. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35394515

TWTBIM_0322 Big Worlds, Small Play 02/18/2025

TWTBIM_0322 Big Worlds, Small Play There's a lot to unpack in children's small world play: security, control, power, and focus. So get out your dollhouses, figurines, and tiny capes. When we offer children the chance to scale down their play, the world can become so much bigger. /episode/index/show/twtbim/id/35313215

Teaching With The Body In Mind

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