Inspiring Life-long Learning for Over 25 Years
In Extra Lesson, Mrs. Boshell provides the class with integrative movement exercises, based on Rudolf Steiner’s indications for healthy human development. To the outside observer, this looks like fun and games because sometimes there are bean bags being tossed in the air and kids walking backwards while balancing objects on their heads. What students don't realize is these exercises are designed to do really important things! They support a healthy foundation of physical development.
Extra Lesson activities are designed to improve:
| visual/ auditory capacity | memory |
| information processing | early movement pattern integration |
| orientation to space in three dimensions | organizing work on the two dimensional page |
| finding balance and stillness | proprioception |
| fine motor skills | gross motor skills |
By supporting these foundations, all students can work to remove hindrances to improve ease of access to their natural, strong, clear capabilities.
In the photo below, the second-grade class is in Extra Lesson, where they are rolling slowly while holding a ball overhead. To add a challenge, the students go between holding the ball in their hands to holding the ball with their feet. They are learning to roll slowly and fluidly, harmonizing the above- below aspects of the body while strengthening core muscles. The slow movement in this horizontal position also allows for the viscous fluid in the ear to stimulate semicircular canals that strengthens the balance system.
What a fun job Mrs. Boshell has! How did she get into this kind of work? Check out her bio here !
