Current policies in the early childhood field ask teachers to treat children as though they exist from the neck up—even though research clearly demonstrates that the mind-body connection is vital to development. Rae Pica, founder and director of Rae Pica Keynotes & Consulting and author of the Moving and Learning series, advocates for active learning, not only because it’s developmentally appropriate but because doing so promotes a calmer, friendlier, and less challenging learning environment. Section I provides theory, research, and language to advocate for active learning. Section II offers suggestions on how to update learning environments, and Rae offers some of her own past missteps in hopes that readers will be able to learn from her mistakes. Section III contains 200 ready-to-use movement activities that can be easily implemented into the day. Most require no materials, and every activity includes a “Curriculum Connection,” so readers can understand and clearly explain why the children aren’t “just playing.” *Winner in the Midwest Book Awards 2020 (Education category)

Understand the connection between how kids grow and how they learn Rae Pica knows what she's talking about. With over 35 years in the field of education, she's realized that what's missing from our approach to schooling is an understanding of the connection between how children develop and how they learn. In this collection, Pica keeps children front and center as she provides thought-provoking commentary and actionable insights on topics such as the Common Core, the self-esteem movement, and standardized testing. You'll find 29 short essays on topics critical to best practice in child development and education Opinions of experts supported by research and anecdotal evidence Real-life stories shared by teachers and parents References to related articles and interviews with experts With its unflinching look at well-meaning initiatives that may be holding students back, this pocket-sized powerhouse of educational philosophy is sure to inspire discussion about our schools.

A complete movement curriculum for early elementary children
Physical education is a critical part of early learning. Movement experiences exercise the whole body--including the mind--and can help children develop a lifetime desire for health and fitness and success in all areas of academic learning. With more than 100 developmentally appropriate physical activities, this curriculum promotes children's participation in and enjoyment of creative movement that is inclusive, active, and fun.
Everything you need to get started is here, including:
An introduction to implementing physical education into your curriculum
An explanation of the ways creative movement supports children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and creative development
Tips to create a positive learning environment, suggestions for adding equipment to activities, simple questions to evaluate whether or not the children are meeting the activity's objective, and information on how the activities meet early learning standards outlined by NAEYC and AAHPERD
A wide variety of activities--plus extensions and adaptations for children with special needs--falling under five categories: openers and closers, basic movement, cooperative activities, educational gymnastics, and rhythm and dance
Curriculum Connectors that identify each activity's correlation with content learning areas
A CD filled with original music to add joy and energy to the activities

EXPERIENCES IN MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, Fifth Edition, helps you develop a movement-oriented setting for teaching children ages birth to eight years. In addition to providing a complete, ready-to-implement movement program, the author presents techniques for weaving movement and music into your day and across your curriculum. Ample resources and appendices include websites and other sources for ordering music, instruments, equipment, and props, and more.

Early childhood educators are facing a crucial inflection point in the profession. Research shows that children need movement and play and joy to learn to their fullest potential—yet the educational system pushes worksheets and takes away time outdoors, among many other harmful and developmentally inappropriate teaching practices. Educators everywhere are tired of witnessing unrealistic expectations and impossible attempts to accelerate child development, stripping children of authentic learning—and their giggles. They are disturbed by the inequities that exist in education and want to see every child provided with the good foundation a quality early education can supply. They are fed up with the nonsense depriving children of childhood, requiring them to teach in ways that they know aren't right! This book challenges and inspires early childhood professionals to advocate for change in the field while giving them the research underpinnings and tools they need to take real action. It dispels the fears associated with speaking up and banishes all doubts about the need to advocate bravely and widely, proving the need to change course and providing practical and actionable steps for speaking to decision makers and convincing them to pursue change. Spark a Revolution in Early Education busts four myths—earlier is better, children learn by sitting, digital devices are important to learning, and play time is not productive time—to push for "Rae's Revolution" and get educators everywhere to stand up for the children.

Informational booklets early childhood professionals can give to families to support children's development through physical activity. Physical education is a critical part of early childhood. Children need to move to channel their energies in creative, beneficial ways and to learn habits for lifelong health and fitness. This pamphlet is a great way for early childhood professionals to partner with and educate families to support their children's physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and creative development through movement.

A complete movement curriculum for preschoolers and kindergartners
Give children opportunities to explore all kinds of movement, to find and use their own personal rhythms, and to feel good about participating in physical activity. This curriculum incorporates more than 80 developmentally appropriate movement activities designed to help preschoolers and kindergartners develop habits that encourage lifelong health and fitness and success in all areas of learning.
Everything you need to get started is here, including:
An introduction to implementing physical education into your curriculum
An explanation of the ways creative movement supports children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and creative development
Tips to create a positive learning environment, suggestions for adding equipment to activities, simple questions to evaluate whether or not the children are meeting the activity's objective, and information on how the activities meet early learning standards outlined by NAEYC and AAHPERD
Twenty lesson plans with four 45-minute activities per plan--plus extensions and adaptations for children with special needs
Curriculum Connectors that identify each activity's correlation with content learning areas
A CD filled with original music to add joy and energy to the activities

A complete movement curriculum for toddlers
Toddlers need--and love--to move Young children are ready to use their muscles and minds as they stretch, dance, wiggle, explore, and learn. This physical education program incorporates more than 50 developmentally appropriate activities designed to help toddlers channel their energy in creative, beneficial ways as they develop habits that encourage lifelong health and fitness and success in all areas of learning.
Everything you need to get started is here, including:
An introduction to implementing physical education into your curriculum
An explanation of the ways creative movement supports children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and creative development
Tips to create a positive learning environment, suggestions for adding equipment to activities, simple questions to evaluate whether or not the children are meeting the activity's objective, and information on how the activities meet early learning standards outlined by NAEYC and AAHPERD
Fourteen lesson plans with four 30-minute activities per plan--plus extensions and adaptations for children with special needs
Curriculum Connectors that identify each activity's correlation with content learning areas
A CD filled with original music to add joy and energy to the activities