It took me a while to really understand the meaning of this term.
It is the wonderful transition a child makes when they are centered, peaceful, and have learned the ability to be focused and do independent work. Here are several ideas that have been discussed on the groups I am on that has helped the transition for some children:
Walking the line (within a group or alone)
Watching a 2 minute timer while sitting in your lap
Sweeping
Washing Walls
Re pot Plants
Plant seeds and be responsible for them
Cooking
Clean Materials on the shelves in an orderly fashion
Silence game
Having the child be your shadow
Talking in a very quiet voice
Showing intentionality of movements of person or apparatus
Walking the line (within a group or alone)
Watching a 2 minute timer while sitting in your lap
Sweeping
Washing Walls
Re pot Plants
Plant seeds and be responsible for them
Cooking
Clean Materials on the shelves in an orderly fashion
Silence game
Having the child be your shadow
Talking in a very quiet voice
Showing intentionality of movements of person or apparatus
Some children have sensory integration. "Some need to gain better control of their gross motor coordination before being able to control the movements of walking on the line. Perhaps they need more physical activity before they can settle down."
Some activities that I have found helpful include more complex practical life activities:
Carrying water in a bucket from one place to another
Lots of large scale scrubbing, such as playground equipment
Lots of movement of the whole body
Extensions of the broad stair that require the child to carry the prisms across the room, like to "hide" the prisms around the classroom and then send such a child to find each one in order and carry it back (in a nice, controlled manner) to the rug.
Finding classroom items to match the color tablets is another good exercise that incorporates movement.
Other Suggestions:
"When a child lies down in the path of others, say something like, "Johns work today is to find a way to cooperate with his friends. Please work with him on this material so he can learn how to get your attention in a different way."
"Of course, any of these activities should be ended if it is too much activity for the child and it causes him to be disruptive. Start small (just moving a short distance, for instance) until the child is ready to move about the room without being disruptive."
Some activities that I have found helpful include more complex practical life activities:
Carrying water in a bucket from one place to another
Lots of large scale scrubbing, such as playground equipment
Lots of movement of the whole body
Extensions of the broad stair that require the child to carry the prisms across the room, like to "hide" the prisms around the classroom and then send such a child to find each one in order and carry it back (in a nice, controlled manner) to the rug.
Finding classroom items to match the color tablets is another good exercise that incorporates movement.
Other Suggestions:
"When a child lies down in the path of others, say something like, "Johns work today is to find a way to cooperate with his friends. Please work with him on this material so he can learn how to get your attention in a different way."
"Of course, any of these activities should be ended if it is too much activity for the child and it causes him to be disruptive. Start small (just moving a short distance, for instance) until the child is ready to move about the room without being disruptive."
"Practical Life Works"
