Teaching With The Body In Mind

Latest Episodes:

TWTBIM_0360 This Could Get Messy Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Last week's discussion about beauty in conflict has Ross thinking about the mess that can also accompany conflict and the value within it. Tom has observed that children are engaged in continuous non-verbal negotiation, which can get messy. Mike makes a musical connection between mess and creativity. Joey wonders if we can learn to prepare ourselves for the mess and always have the right "cleaning supplies" handy.

TWTBIM_0359 Conflict Can Be Beautiful Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Squabbles over dinosuars, golden kitties or deeper issues are necessary and beautiful. When we rush in to solve children's conflicts, we make it all about us. Resolving conflict is an open-ended activity that can lead to creativity. Early childhood settings are a great place for learning to solve conflicts because they are usually low stakes.

ENCORE EPISODE: When Help Isn't Helpful Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

We'll be back for real next week! Until then, one more from the archives:

Ross is losing sleep after being too helpful. Did he take away a learning opportunity by attaching the wheels to a child's car? We offer help with the best of intentions, but perhaps our help sometimes undermines development. What kind of help do they need? (originally released June 2023)

ENCORE EPISODE Hanging Out Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Ease into the new year, with a relaxing conversation about hanging out.

Tom asks the group to define hanging out--a social act of "being with" with no agenda, a relaxed feeling, open, and freeform. He wonders, is it worthwhile in the classroom? (Resounding YES) Ross points out that you don't have to set your plans aside to allow for moments to hang out, you can make space for both. Tom's wish is that we can slow down and appreciate moments of hanging out in our daily practice.

TWTBIM_0358 Joining In Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

As Joey was reminded while crawling through cattails, joining in to children's physical play can give us insight, understanding, and joy. Mike recently learned the tricky balance spots in a playground obstacle course. And we all remember how much fun the kids had when Tom "fell" off the balance beam. Ross cautions—yes, but it shouldn't become about us. When do we join into children's play and how do we phase out?

TWTBIM_0357 Relationships Foster Physical Learning Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

After watching a toddler scoot to wave goodbye to a classmate, Mike reflects on how social relationships provide motivation for physical learning. Prosocial connection is a powerful internal motivator. When we lose sight of that, our judgements and interference can become an impediment to learning.

TWTBIM_0356 No Really, Let Them Move Inside Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Ross does a check in with the ongoing conversation about creating the conditions to support physical play--indoors and ALWAYS. How do we get comfortable with this, plan for it, make the time, and make the space? We know that physical play is needed for healthy development so let's include it in our plans. Where might you find the cat mat and mouse house in your classroom?

ENCORE EPISODE Sit Still! Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

We reached way back in the vault to September 2018:

Are stillness and silence required to meet the goals of Circle Time? Mike leads a discussion about times that children are asked to sit still. Does the expectation that children "sit still" create a distraction from our true learning goals?

TWTBIM ENCORE EPISODE Give Grandma A Kiss Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

While we're on a short break for the holiday, enjoy an episode from the early days about consent.

There's more to talk about related to consent. During our day to day routines, how can we model respect for children's bodies and teach them about setting boundaries that make them feel comfortable?

TWBIM_0355 Let's Rumble Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Inspired by the new picture book, Let's Rumble, Mike leads the group back to their roots with a conversation about roughhousing with children. What does it look like and why is it so important?