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.