Teaching With The Body In Mind

Teaching With The Body In Mind•www.teachingwiththebodyinmind.com

Each week, Mike, Tom, Ross, and Joey reflect on the connection between moving and thinking. The discussions remind us that teachers should be supporting children's bodies as well as their minds.

Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 11:53 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

TWTBIM_0259 Uncomfortable with Princesses

Mike takes us on a deep dive into the uncomfortable feelings that princess play can evoke. Do we want girls to play out scenarios of waiting for a man to save them? Joey wonders if it's similar to gun play in that children are just playing out what they have learned about the "rules" of society. If we see problems, should we work for change in our adult world rather than put our expectations on children? Tom reminds us that princess play, like all play, offers valuable insight into children's th...

Sep 05, 2023•22 min

TWTBIM_0258 Floor Time

In looking through his photo archives, Tom has noticed how much time children spend on the floor. Should we think about the floor as a place to play? Joey points out that some materials are just easier to use on the floor--they'll wind up there anyway. Mike reminds us how much easier it is for children to anchor themselves on the floor which allows for more focus on their chosen task. What about adults? Should we be sharing this physical and emotional space alongside the children?

Aug 29, 2023•20 min

TWTBIM: Sharing (ENCORE EPISODE)

When all the blocks are locked up behind the dragon's wall, do you make him share? Ross has been thinking about how adults can help children want to share. Tom thinks that we are not careful enough in how we use the term "sharing." Mike reminds us of Fred Rogers' wisdom: "There's a world of difference between insisting on someone's doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it." (Recorded December 2019)

Aug 22, 2023•24 min

TWTBIM: Attunement (ENCORE EPISODE)

Mike's original reference to attunement. When teachers are skilled at attunement, children feel understood, seen, and heard. Ross points out that it takes time and effort to be in tune. Tom and Joey share experiences where teachers have been "out of tune" with children. Mike posits that noticing disharmony is one of the first steps to attunement. Who doesn't love a musical metaphor? (Recorded November 2019)

Aug 15, 2023•22 min

TWTBIM_0257 But in the Real World...

Joey wants to talk about how the artificial constraints of environments and schedules restrict children's ability to meet their needs in any given moment. Tom describes a special type of "flow" that occurs when we give children time in spaces that support a wide range of interests, energy levels, and physical needs. Mike points out how we often use the phrase, "but in the real world," to justify the limits we place on children. What if we offered them a more "real world" environment instead?...

Aug 08, 2023•26 min

TWTBIM_0256 Equipment vs. Experiences

Mike wants to talk about how standards for quality often lead us to put more emphasis on the equipment in the classroom rather than the experiences of children. How important are those magna tiles and counting bears?

Aug 01, 2023•24 min

TWTBIM_0255 Dysregulated to reregulated

Ross has been thinking about when children are dysregulated and the impact it has on adults' regulation. How do we tune in to signs of stress in children? Mike notes that we often don't notice more subtle cues. The group looks for the perfect analogy to describe the process of building regulation skills in partnership with children. Joey points out that when we avoid children who are dysreglated we miss the chance to build relationship with them.

Jul 25, 2023•22 min

TWTBIM_0254 What if....good things happen?

Tom wants to address the concerns of teachers who worry about keeping control if ALL the children want to try something. What if everyone climbs the sensory table after you allow that one child to do it? Are they really all going to want to do the same thing? Joey wonders if we can flip the script and imagine that good things can happen when we're wondering "what if." Ross shares the scientific formula for the density of positive vs. negative results.

Jul 18, 2023•22 min

TWTBIM_0253 Power & Control

In a follow up to last week's conversation, Joey reflects on the dynamic of power and control in the classroom. When is it OK for adults to take control? When are we misusing our power? Joey describes a standoff in the classroom loft. Mike shares an example of stepping in to help a child who seemed powerless in putting on their boots. We need to stay mindful of our reasons for keeping things "under control" and avoid having control itself become the goal.

Jul 11, 2023•21 min

TWTBIM_0252 Comfort vs. Control

Mike urges us to reflect on our actions when children are out of control and need to de-escalate. Is restraint appropriate? What if we offered comfort instead? Joey counters that sometimes being held can provide a feeling of safety. How do we make the call?Tom reflects back on his early days of teaching and feeling uncomfortable when he used restraint. An important conversation about an uneasy topic.

Jul 04, 2023•19 min

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