Ep 21 - Childhood Motor Development in Education

In this episode, Ted and James discuss childhood motor development as it relates to education. Seen in its fullest meaning, FM Alexander's work provides a foundation for education. But it's not so easy to say what that means, or to come up with concrete ways to implement the work in a school setting.

Ted lays out a three-part analytical framework for understanding the developing child. First, the child's postural tone – what Alexander called the "primary control" – needs to be appreciated and understood. This is the foundation for all of a child's activities, skilled and otherwise, and is the organizing factor behind their breathing, circulation, stress tolerance, and ability to move in space. Second, the manner in which a child goes about the activities of life, and the effect this manner has on the child's postural tone. This goes as dee ...