Movement

The physical education and movement program seeks to:

1. Develop a movement program in harmony/concordance with human physical, soul and spiritual development, bringing appropriate activities and exercises for each age and stage.
2. Assist the growing, developing human being in the process of incarnation.
3. Develop a cognitive understanding of and a healthy relationship to movement, exercise, sport and games
4. Develop specific movement skills and principles in relationship to sport and games.
5. Develop an increased social awareness and responsibility; the ability to work and play with (and as) a group fostering cooperative social skills, good sportsmanship, quality teamwork, and a healthy attitude towards competition.
6. Develop a sense of growing strength, flexibility (range of motion), and endurance (stamina) through movement activities.
7. Develop the ability to listen to and follow instructions

Emphasis is placed on cooperative play in the lower grades and transitions to competitive play in the upper elementary and high school grades. Emphasis is placed on good sportsmanship. The Movement Program is based on the principles articulated by Rudolf Steiner, and in more practical terms by Fritz Von Bothmer (whose Bothmer excercises form the core of the developmental spectrum in grades 3-12), Rudolf Kuschnick, Jaimen McMillan and Kim Brooking-Payne.

Movement education in the kindergarten is taught by the kindergarten teacher. Ring time allows for small and large motor skill development and spatial integration.

Movement education in grades one and two is often taught by the class teacher and PE/Movement teacher and includes imaginative play emphasizing the skills of climbing, swinging, jumping rope, running, skipping, hopping, and free play among others. Lively imaginative games that are non-competitive in nature and focus more on the individual and group interplay are introduced in grades three and four. Rhythm is also an emphasis in grades one through four. Classic Greek pentathlon disciplines - running, long jump, wrestling, throwing javelin and discus – come in the fifth grade and interconnect with the academic curriculum, which also focuses on ancient Greece. Team sports are also introduced.

In grade six, there is a more formal quality to the exercises. Technique and skill are developed and encouraged. Students also prepare for and participate in the annual Medieval Games competition. Good sportsmanship is emphasized in seventh and eighth grade movement education. Training becomes more vigorous and competitive.