Extra Lesson: How Development of the Senses influences Learning With Ingun Schneider of Rudolf Steiner College Online Conference for Waldorf-inspired.

Extra Lesson: How Development of the Senses

influences Learning

With Ingun Schneiderof Rudolf Steiner College

Online Conference for Waldorf-inspired Homeschoolers

What is Extra Lesson?

*series of exercises to fill gaps in sensory and movement development

*started in 1st or 2nd grade

*catching up on incomplete development



Extra Lesson Exercises address

*left-right coordination*above-below coordination*forward-backward coordination*dominance-same side*fine and gross motor coordination*visual & auditory development*memory*breathing


Foundation of learning with ease…

Based on the sensory and motor development of the first 7 years



Goals of 7+ year old

*Spatial Orientation-

*Dominance

*Body Geography


These 3 Capacities allow child to:

*Sit comfortably & still

*Listen to a series of instructions*Follow through on instructions *Hold pencil comfortably*Perform practical activities (dressing, grooming)


In a classroom

*have the eyes follow a line of text or copy forms/text/numbers from the board*remember visually presented material*remember orally presented material*organize the page when writing*solving written math problems*sit still and comfortably in the chair*keep track of a schedule of daily events



These capacities develop with the help of the senses


Steiner’s 12 SensesTouch=tactile--gives one a sense of one’s own boundaries in relation to environment, including others

Life=organic well-being--digestion, circulation, breathing

Self-movement=proprioception--fine & gross motor development, gauging amount of effort needed for a task

Balance/equilibrium=vestibular--static (vs dynamic) balance->internal awareness of 3D, independent of gravity, freeing of arms & hands for tasks out of gravity, postural security

Smell=olfactory

Taste=gustatory


Steiner’s 12 Senses

Sight=visionWarmth=temperatureHearing=auditoryLanguage=word, speech—recognition of language sounds, grammatical structureConcept=thought of the other person as conveyed through speech or textEgo=self of other person—an awareness that others have feelings, thoughts, ambitions, actions like one’s own


First Four Senses

relate one to one’sown body and are the foundation fordevelopment of the “higher”=socialsenses


Sense of Touch

foundation for experiencing

the self of the other person

(necessary for developing

empathy)


gentle firmness when touching and in approach to child (“no” is always a “no”); clear boundaries; cocoon wrap;pressure massage

Sense of Life

foundation for sense ofconcept/thought of otherperson (necessary for grasping what others are saying/ explaining verbally or via text)


rhythm, time, harmony, sleep, nutritional foods (incl. Healthy fats necessary for development of myelin sheath around nerves)


Sense of Movement

foundational for development of sense of language/speech(necessary for graspinggrammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc)


fine & gross movements that challenge child to develop next level of ability--in daily tasksat home, in garden, shop (incl. crafts, play, exercise using bean bags/balls/rods)

Sense of Balance

foundation for development of hearing/auditory processing (needed for connecting speech sounds with letters, hearing the difference between speechsounds, being able to follow a series of instructions.)


stand still feet together & onone foot (eyes closed, too);head upside-down, slow rolls, slow walk forward & back on beam/line—static balance means balance in stillness (or slow moving)

Observation

Age appropriate

watch movement and add exercises if necessary

support while going on


Resources*For good information about the first year’s development Ingun suggests:

Baby Moves by Marianne Hermsen-vanWanrooy—website: www.babymoves.co.nz

“See How They Move”—DVD from RIE=Resources for Infant Educaters—www.rie.org

The Incarnating Child by Joan Salterwww.youandyourchildshealth.org – Dr. Susan Johnson

*For further info about Extra Lesson approach to learning differences:The Extra Lesson by Audrey McAllenTaking Time: Jean HuntLearning Difficulties: A Guide for Teachers edited by Mary Ellen Wily—Other good & relevant books by Audrey McAllen:Sleep: An Unobserved Element in EducationTeaching Children HandwritingReading Children’s DrawingsThe Listening Ear


http://www.babymoves.co.nz/

http://www.rie.org/

http://www.youandyourchildshealth.org/

http://www.steinercollege.edu/store/Ingun is working on a book w/ accompanying

dvd: Extra lesson in practice


Extra Lesson: How Development of the Senses influences Learning With Ingun Schneider of Rudolf Steiner College Online Conference for Waldorf-inspired.

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