Teaching With The Body In Mind

Latest Episodes:

TWTBIM_0336 Run Away and Scream Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0335 If You're Not Having Fun Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0334 Holding Back Can be Kind Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0333 Bandaids and Crackers, Part 2 May 27, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0332 Bandaids and Crackers May 20, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0331 Match More, Talk Less May 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM__(Encore) Backwards Bike Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

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," (watch here) 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)

TWTBIM_0330 Beauty Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

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?

TWTBIM_0329 Reading and Responding to Energy Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

TWTBIM_0328 We Don't Play Like That Anymore Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

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