Moving With a Purpose: Developing Programs for Preschoolers of All Abilities

Moving With a Purpose is much more than a wonderful collection of movement games and activities for preschool-age children. It's also an easy-to-use guide to building movement programs in which every child thrives, including those with special needs.

The book's 15 chapters are packed with information that's so well presented, you'll be able to put it to use immediately even if you have no experience teaching movement programs.

Part I explains why movement is essential for preschoolers' optimum development. You'll learn to use the authors' child-centered approach, which emphasizes learning experiences that are child initiated and teacher facilitated. This approach enables each child to achieve specific goals and objectives that benefit them most. You'll learn what to teach and how to teach it as well as how to observe and assess children's movements.

In Part II you'll find 54 field-tested and proven games and activities, developed over more than 15 years of teaching preschoolers. You can use them anywhere, even if space, time and equipment are limited. Each game and activity description includes tips for modification for children with special needs.

Part III deepens your understanding of children's motor development, offers how-tos for developing and promoting your movement program, and provides tips for working with toddlers.

Part IV focuses on children with special needs and the laws and procedures that define the special education process—from handling referrals all the way through writing an Individual Education Program (IEP). Here the authors stress the importance of parent and teacher partnerships in helping preschoolers of all abilities move, develop physically and mentally, and feel good about themselves.

Use this resource to establish a new preschool movement program, enhance an existing one, or educate preschool therapists and teachers about how to provide a quality movement program with sound educational objectives. The authors are experienced adapted physical education teachers who are passionate about including children with special needs in physical education. Benefit from their many years of experience and see how easy it is to build fun and effective movement programs in which every child succeeds.