"There is an increasing body of evidence to support the theory that physical skills support academic learning and are involved in emotional regulation and behavior."
Sally Goddard Blythe
Movement is the primary developer of our neurological system. Repeatedly executing specific movements creates and strengthens pathways from low brain areas to higher brain areas where academic learning occurs.
Research over the past forty years has shown that neuro-motor immaturity is frequently the underlying cause of learning challenges.
The most effective antidote for neuro-motor delay is movement.
Creating a simple, consistent, contained movement routine, can help strengthen neural pathways to higher brain centers and can also give struggling students a much-needed boost.
Socialization Skills
Especially now, children will benefit from the opportunity to share meaningful group experiences with their peers. Rhythmic movement activities instill a sense of belonging and being a part of something bigger than oneself.
Academic Skills
Children learn experientially by doing. Adding sensory activities such as movement, touch, and sound aids in engaging children which is more important than ever after the past year when most children attended school virtually, through a computer screen.
Mindfulness & Emotional Skills
Many children have experienced the pandemic as confusing, disruptive and isolative – it is important to help them manage anxiety, calm their bodies and minds. Creating rites and rituals that children can share can help create a peaceful, accepting environment.
Behavioral Skills
Re-introduction of structure in a natural, organic manner is most effective. Too much screen time, inconsistent schedules and months of isolation have interrupted our children’s lives. It is important to outline behavioral expectations in a positive, direct manner that will help children feel more confident as well as increase self-esteem.
"Mary Cartales is a brilliant, highly experienced Movement Expert who effectively uses her theoretical and practical knowledge base as a form of intervention. "
Beatriz Coronel
Life is Precious Program Coordinator -
Comunilife, Inc. New York, NY
The Programs
"Much more of the brain is devoted to movement than to language. Language is only a little thing sitting on top of this huge ocean of movement."
Oliver Sacks
Specialized Movement Classes
For Children 3-8
Movement is a child’s first language. Your Movement Resource Classes are based on fundamental movement patterns that lay the groundwork for and strengthen neural connections to higher brain centers where learning takes place. Movement exercises the body, brain, and soul and truly is the antidote to many learning and emotional challenges
"Movement is essential to learning. Movement integrates and anchors new information into our neural networks."
Carla Hannaford
"This work has made me better at finishing homework and has also helped me with my independence and not getting car-sick
and most of all shooting hoops in B-Ball."
W.C. Brooklyn, NY age 11
"To effectively teach a child one must reach the child in mind-body-heart, not just intellect, not just the linear-left brain we make such a priority."
Vince Gowmon
Focus-Pocus
For children ages 5-8
Children work both individually and cooperatively in time and space exploration, non-verbal communication with others, and learning specific movement routines which are designed to stabilize the neuro-motor connection necessary to focus on and complete tasks. This fun and purposeful class is beneficial to all children and specifically those with attention challenges.
Roads to Reading
For children ages 5-8
The ability to learn to read begins with movement. In this class, children develop the foundational motor skills necessary for reading through movement and dance activities. Necessary motor skills required for reading include secure balance, eye-hand coordination, and the ability to use both sides of the body simultaneously.
Motor Training for
Neuro-Developmental
Delay Remediation
For Children 6 & above
Available in your home, private sessions are tailored to your child’s individual needs and are beneficial for children with learning challenges. Mary will conduct a formal assessment and determine your child’s level of neuro-motor maturity. She will then design a motor-training program for your child consisting of specific exercises to be performed once daily. The exercises take around 5-10 minutes and should always be executed under parental or care-giver supervision.
Resources
