The way you measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Kidz Newz no. 155 – 13 September 2016
Welcome to Kidz Newz, especially all new subscribers – including those from the recent Move to Learn conference in Sydney. Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children. You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list. Thank you. Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to. Feedback is welcome. Don’t forget to stay in touch on our Facebook Page and watch out for our exclusive fan page competitions.
Today’s Children in Tomorrow’s World
What child does not talk about wanting to visit the Moon? Or travel in a space ship to outer space? I can remember, as a child, wanting to visit the Man in the Moon. I wanted to know what he ate. He looked so friendly. I was sure I could see his smiley face. This is a time-honoured tradition for children but today it is a reality to take a joy ride into outer space thanks to Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson. This used to be the realm of fantasy. I thought it pretty wonderful when on July 16 1969 Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the Moon. I was at school and we all trooped into the assembly hall and watched the feat on TV as it was happening. It was truly remarkable. But to do the same ourselves? Unthinkable. Until now.
Because our world and its inventions are changing so rapidly, it is essential that today’s education systems keep up. After all, many of the jobs available today will be obsolete by the time today’s children reach the workforce. Indeed, many students entering university will find their careers obsolete by the time they finish their degrees! I came across a wonderful quote recently – ‘Never again will the world be as slow as it is today.’ I don’t know about you, but I find the pace of life extraordinary now and I struggle to keep up with myself never mind anyone or anything else! And this is slow? I think we need to hold onto our hats as we are in for the ride of our lives!
So where does this leave our children? In schools everywhere, children learn about transport. Sure, in some countries the mode of transport may well be a horse and cart (or ox or donkey – or a milk crate!) but in the first world, airline travel is increasing at an astonishing rate. At any one time there are a million aircraft somewhere flying in the sky. And that figure is set to double in the next few decades. If this is a major means of transport then children need to learn about it and, of course, about inter-galactic travel as well. If air transport makes our world smaller by bringing countries, people and cultures closer together (hopefully with the resultant tolerance, acceptance and understanding), then the obvious next step is to bring galaxies closer together. Clearly, there is a need to adapt the language and concepts to suit the age of the children, but the message is still the same. Space travel must be high on the agenda when teaching the topic of transport. This instils in children a sense of wonder, of imagination and above all, curiosity, which is the hallmark of all science and all discovery.
If you wish to have some background music playing while your inventors of tomorrow are drawing or writing, how about Gustav Holst’s The Planets? I especially recommend Jupiter – Bringer of Jollity. Some of the music of the other planets is a bit too scary for little people. There is a full album free on Youtube if you’d like to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isic2Z2e2xs
From Twitter Posted by Sir Richard Branson – Photos: 1st flight of spaceship built by The Spaceship Company & operated by @virgingalactic virg.in/fg5Ne
PD in Canberra
I will be in Canberra, ACT, from 29 October – 6 November. As I am often asked about doing PD out of WA the thought occurred to me that someone in the ACT may like me to conduct a PD while I’m there. Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th or Saturday 5th November would suit me best. Please contact me directly on info@kidzfizbiz.com if this is something your school or centre would value.
Reminder – Upcoming Movement Workshops –
If you are interested in learning more on Bilateral Integration, Jenny Cluning, Developmental Movement Therapist, is running a workshop on 16 and 17 September in Melbourne. Click here for details.
If you are interested in learning more about primitive reflexes and Rhythmic Movement and their role in cognition, click here for information from Evonne Bennell, neurodevelopmental specialist and kinesiologist, who is running a course in Perth on 6 & 7 October.
Quotes of the Week
You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. (source unknown)
Our children will create a world we cannot imagine; they will accomplish things we cannot even dream.
– Kathryn T. Shaw
If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must expect to employ methods never before attempted.
– Francis Bacon
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
– William Arthur Ward
Testimonials
What was the most useful thing you learned today? (From ANCOS ‘Tutti’ Hobart January 2016)
- Children find it easier to learn multicultural languages. Would have liked to have seen Chinese language.
- Learning simple songs with actions. Needed more time to learn more songs in different languages.
- I loved the ribbon sticks!
- I loved the German chant as well as the information about age appropriateness. Needed more time!
- So many ideas for JP children.
- The exposure to other languages in small pieces.
- Using dominant and non-dominant hand/foot; sitting on scarf and making it into a boat, a tail etc.
Entertainment
Flying isn’t everything! New Zealand’s famous bird, the Kiwi can’t fly. It lives in a hole in the ground, is almost blind and lays one egg each year. Despite this, it has survived for more than 70 million years. From the Maverick Spirit
Other modes of transport –
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at festivals. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
PO Box 6894, East Perth WA 6892 Australia
T: +61 8 9355 4890 M: +61 (0) 410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
Enjoying Kidz Newz?
Perhaps a friend or colleague would enjoy it too! Add their contact address and click “Forward”. (Be sure to include this entire message, including the subscription details) By doing this you will help us grow.
Looking for lots of ideas? Visit the Kidz Newz archive where you will find back issues of Kidz Newz.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our blog for more interesting information, articles and discussions or connect with Marlene on Linked In.
Until next time … continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
