Review
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“A gold mine! This well thought out and organized resource
explains the stages of childhood motor development in concise
language and clear graphics, making it accessible and
understandable to parents and professionals alike. Smart Steps
offers a multitude of activity ideas and includes fun and
creative modifications for kids of all ages and abilities. I
recommend this book to parents, teachers, and therapists who are
looking for ways to enrich the motor skills of their kids.”
—Brenda Richards, OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist,
author, co-owner of The Center for LifeSkills, codirector of
TimberNook of Greater Cleveland
“A must-have resource for all those engaged and involved in the
lives of young children in whatever capacity. A uniquely
refreshing combination of practical know-how and underpinning
knowledge, bound by a profound belief and understanding of the
role movement plays in supporting overall development. Easily
accessible for parents—there are wonderful ideas for promoting
active play—this book also provides professionals with a clear
framework to inform and support their daily practice.
Well-written and beautifully produced. A ‘smart step’ would be to
source this book, now!”—Dr. Lala Manners, director of
activematters
“A wonderfully clear step-by-step activity series providing
children with a ‘rich diet’ of movement and play. The very
easy-to-understand-and-do series of everyday activities builds
the critical body and brain interrelationship, essential for
children’s optimal learning and transition into school. This
outstanding book sets a new benchmark in children’s activity
programs to develop their bodies and brains. It is the most
scientifically advanced program currently available and a must
for educators, childcare providers, and parents who want to
provide the best possible start for their children!”— Graham D.
Dodd, Ph.D., Founder and Chair TriSkills Australia; Fellow & Life
Member Australian Council for , Physical Education and
Recreation
“A fabulous resource for teachers, parents, and anyone wanting to
understand child development and really stimulate children’s
learning. Combining a career-long interest in brain development
research with practical applications, Gill Connell has developed
this huge collection of background knowledge and useful teaching
ideas. The diagrams, photos, and chapter and paragraph headings
make the book exceptionally easy to read while separating out
ideas so the reader is able to take small or large chunks of
information to digest at a time. The temptation is to keep
reading, page after page, because it all makes so much sense!
This text should be compulsory reading in all early childhood
teacher training courses but, because it is not bogged down with
jargon, it is equally valuable to parents and other adults in the
lives of young children who want to make the most of learning
rtunities during a day and build positive, supportive
relationships with their children.”—Janet Channon, Co-founder and
director of Kids Music Company
“Very accessible and loads of fun! Placing physicality at the
heart of learning, all the principles of strong ECE practice are
skillfully harnessed. Superb color images illustrate how movement
can be joyfully integrated into daily life with everyday
resources, enabling every child to ‘follow nature’s plan.’ The
depth of knowledge regarding being physically active from birth,
matched with a clear explanation of how learning takes place
through body-brain development, gives this book a valuable place
in the work of those caring about children and their education
throughout the early years.”—Jan White, early childhood
consultant specializing in outdoor play and author of Every Child
a Mover
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Book Description
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Foster learning through movement with step-by-step activities for
babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-age children
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About the Author
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Gill Connell is a globally recognized presenter and child
development authority, specializing in the foundations of
learning through movement and play. She provides developmental
expertise to parents, preschools, schools, and companies such as
Hasbro, Inc., based on her more than thirty years in preschool
and primary education. She is the former national director of
Gymbaroo Preschool Activity Centers and the founder of Moving
Smart, Ltd. (movingsmart.co.nz), which offers resources, tools,
trainings, and workshops. She coauthored the books A Moving Child
Is a Learning Child: How the Body Teaches the Brain to Think and
Moving to Learn: An Essential Guide for All Parents, Carers and
Educators. Gill lives in New Zealand, and travels regularly to
the United States.
Wendy Pirie, M.H.Sc., is a consultant in preschool movement and
the director of TimberNook New Zealand, which offers camps where
children grow and learn through active, creative outdoor
experiences. She has a special interest in the growth and
development of the child through the relationship between the
body and the brain. She is also passionate about empowering
parents and educators to play with and engage children. Wendy
lives in New Zealand with her husband and three sons.
Cheryl McCarthy is a former vice president of intellectual
property development for Hasbro, Inc. She is a thirty-year
veteran of the world of children’s play, specializing in young
children’s storytelling and entertainment. As executive producer,
she managed the creative development of properties such as My
Little Pony, Candy Land, Mr. Potato Head, and many other beloved
children’s icons. She is currently the creative director at
Moving Smart, Ltd. Cheryl is the coauthor of A Moving Child Is a
Learning Child: How the Body Teaches the Brain to Think. She
lives in Massachusetts.
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