Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to run the Move to Learn program?
The DVD, Move to Learn, is designed to enable a parent, teacher or helper to run the Move to Learn program with a class or an individual child.
Each of the Movement Sequences is clearly demonstrated in an easy-to-follow-along-with manner and all important information is included.
The booklet, Ten Gems for the Brain, explains the program in simple English with lots of diagrams. It is also be easy to follow. It was designed to replace the DVD with a written explanation of the Move to Learn program for use in areas where a DVD player is not an option or for translations into other languages.
It doesn't explain why the program works, or provide the same depth of detailed information that the books provide, but it does explain how to do the program, and it is all you should need to run the program.
My child is having difficulties at school. He’s bright, but he’s not doing as well as he should. I’m not sure what’s wrong.
Help Your Child to Learn, contains a questionnaire to help identify where difficulties lie in an individual child and gives a lot of information about Learning Difficulties. This is a great place to start. It will help you decide on the best course of action for your child. Each child is different, and there are often a number of factors affecting a child’s ability to learn. Pinpointing problem areas will help you locate appropriate specialists when needed and avoid the expense and frustration of following every new treatment.
The first area that you will need to explore is that of diet & allergies. Problems in these areas alone can cause difficulties in learning or at least significantly contribute to the problem.
Secondly, we’d recommend you run the Move to Learn movement program with your child. While there may be other problems affecting your child, such as auditory, sensory or visual processing difficulties or perhaps allergies, we’ve found that most children presenting with learning difficulties are inhibited by retained primitive reflexes and immature neurological processing. The Move to Learn movement program addresses this, and can be beneficial for all children regardless of whether they have difficulties with learning or not.
You can run the program with your child by yourself by simply purchasing a copy of the Move to Learn DVD and following the simple, demonstrated instructions. It’s easy and it’s fun. All you need is a DVD player, a TV, a little space and 15-20 minutes a day.
If you would prefer some experienced support, go to our ‘contact us’ folder to find information about our recommended contacts.
Which book should I buy first?
Each of the books covers different material and has a different focus. Which one is right for you will depend on your own circumstances and background. For a comprehensive understanding, it’s best to read all of them, but briefly;
Help Your Child to Learn, contains a questionnaire to help identify where difficulties lie in an individual child. It also gives a lot of information about Learning Difficulties. This is a great place to start, especially if you are a parent.
Help Your Class to Learn is great for teachers, keen parents or practitioners in the field of Learning Difficulties. It has a lot of information about setting up a perceptual movement program in a school, including suggestions of equipment , (much of which you could make yourself), & activities.
Overcoming Learning Difficulties helps with diagnosis and presents an extensive program of graded activities which are easy to follow. Full of practical suggestions and sequences of activities covering a wide range of areas, it is ideal for planning both therapy and home programmes.
School Floors provides a brief overview of the history of Move to Learn and gives information about things that can be done after the movement program as well as advice about how to get the program into schools.
There are chapters on diet, nutrition, food additives, allergies, sound therapy, auditory processing, the effect of retained primitive reflexes, playground management and improving social interaction.
Particularly helpful are a quick functional vision screening test, a 'ready for school?' test and a 'what to look for before the third birthday' chapter.
There are exciting contributions by many leading educators, therapists and specialists in the field of learning difficulties including:
Veronica Steer, Dr Marilyn Dyson, Chris Chapparo, Margaret Greville, Pye Twaddell, Sue Larter, Sue Dengate, Jacqueline Lee, Sue Mackay, Julia Dive, Sue Mackay, Michelle Learmouth, Rachel Fisher, Winsome Richards, Mike Almond & Carol Hewatt.
Ten Gems for the Brain contains information about our movement program to address LD. It explains the program in simple English with lots of diagrams and is easy to follow. It was designed to be used instead of the DVD in situations where a DVD player wasn't available and is a demonstration of the program with a written explanation and pictures. It doesn't explain why the program works, or provide the same depth of detailed information that the books provide, but it does explain how to do the program, and it is all you should need to run the program.
The DVD, Move to Learn, is designed for a parent, teacher or helper to be able to run the Move to Learn program with a class or an individual child. Each of the Movement Sequences is demonstrated in an easy-to-follow-along-with manner, with clear instructions and important information.
I am a teacher, can the Move to Learn program be done in my classroom?
Yes, definitely. The Move to Learn program is a simple, flexible program. It requires no equipment, and little space. You need only to move the desks aside to give each child space to lie on the floor. Alternatively, multi purpose rooms can be used, or the program could be run in the school yard on mats.
All you need is a copy of the Move to Learn DVD or the booklet, Ten Gems for the Brain to understand how to impliment the program.
Facilitators need little training or preparation and you only need to set aside 15-20 minutes a day.
The program is suitable and beneficial for the whole class, including those who don’t appear to be struggling with learning. Research suggests there is usually a marked increase in focus and a decrease in behavioural problems in classrooms where the program has been used.
Some children may need further indivdual work or specialist treatment to address their problems fully, and the program will help to identify those children.
In my class, some of the children grasp the movements quickly, while others are slower. How should I deal with this?
The program is actually very useful as a tool to identify children who are struggling and need further help.
If a child is struggling and unable to keep up with the class, it may be possible that they could benefit from further investigation into their difficulties. Referral to other professionals, such as an audiologist, allergy specialist, behavioural optometrist etc., may be appropriate.
The slower ones (with the cooperation of their parents) should also be encouraged to do the exercises at home as well (with the aid of the booklet, Ten Gems for the Brain or the DVD).
Do the exercise until the majority of the class is able to do it properly, and then move on to the next exercise. It won’t hurt the slower ones to attempt the more difficult exercises along with the rest of the class, provided they are encouraged and not marked as failing. They will still need to work through the exercises separately at their own pace for full effect for them however.
The faster children can be given extra challenges to keep them interested, and it often works really well to have them work with the slower ones as teacher’s aides.
What equipment is needed to get started?
All you need to run the program is the Move to Learn DVD, a DVD player, a TV and some floor space. Alternatively, in stead of the DVD, you could use the booklet, Ten Gems for the Brain.
Is there anyone in my area that is able to help answer some of my questions about my child?
Our list of contacts and recommended specialists can be found in the ‘Contact Us’ and 'Links' folders here on the website.
I want to be kept updated on the latest findings, research, news, exercises, tips, how can I sign up to receive the free Missile/Newsletter ?
Just contact us and we'll add you to our VIP list.
Are the movements suitable for all ages including adults?
Yes, they are. Based on the natural movements of babies and toddlers, they are effective for all ages.
Does this program help address primitive reflexes?
Close links have been identified between the inhibition of primary reflexes and the attainment of gross-motor milestones. Reflexes are often used as landmarks and measurements of CNS maturity. They play a vital role in survival for crucial periods but should then undergo inhibition or transformation. If this doesn't happen, Neuro-Developmental Delay, (the continued presence of a cluster of Primitive Reflexes above the age of 6 months (12 months at the latest), in combination with absent or under-developed Postural Reflexes above three and a half years of age) will often result. Some signs of neuro-developmental delay are:
Poor concentration
Emotional presentation
Poor impulse control
Weak balance and motor skills
Weak posture, sitting position
Weak academic performance, organisation of work, copying from board
Obviously, these things will have a major impact on academic learning.
The Move to Learn program has included the inhibition of persistent primary reflexes as a core element in its program, addressing the underlying functional deficits that children with various difficulties have shown. The 10 simple movement sequences cover all the essentials that every child needs, and in the right order.
Do you sell the books internationally?
Yes, we do sell the books internationally. They can be bought through this website and sent to just about anywhere in the world. All our postage is registered. Just follow the prompts on the shopping page to order online, or, if you’d prefer, download, fill in and send us your order form.
E-books are also very popular for international clients as they avoid the cost of postage and can be obtained immediately by downloading directly through your computer.
Do you have a distributor in my country?
Our list of contacts, certified practitioners and distributors can be found in the ‘Contact Us’ folder here on the website.
My child is a teenager, and desperately needs help, is the Move to Learn Program too young for him?
Certainly not. Many adults have done the program with great success.
It usually works best for teenagers and adults if they are involved in their own assessment. They can watch for and record improvements. Taking a leadership role, perhaps demonstrating for others or leading groups of younger children, can be a good motivator for teens - as can bribery!
I am an adult, will the program work for me?
Many adults have done the program with great success. It usually takes a little longer the older you are, the optimum time for these movements is during the pre-school years, but improvement should be possible with patient persistence.
I want to buy some Move to Learn products, but I don't feel safe using my credit card online. Do you take cheques?
Yes we do accept cheques from Australian Banks, but you will need to wait for the cheque to clear the bank before we can send the order out. We also accept International money orders or bank cheques.
Do you run workshops or Seminars?
Occasionally, and they are also run by our certified practitioners and recommended contacts. We list upcoming workshops and seminars in the 'Seminars' section of our website, and also in our regular newsletter, the Missile. You can receive this electronically for free simply by registering on this website.
Is there an assessment I can do?
Help Your Child to Learn, contains a questionnaire to help identify where difficulties lie in an individual child and it gives a lot of information about Learning Difficulties. This is a great place to start. It will help you decide on the best course of action for your child. Each child is different, and there are often a number of factors affecting the child’s ability to learn. Pinpointing problem areas will help you locate appropriate specialists when needed and avoid the expense and frustration of following every new treatment.
You could also take a look at the free interactive LD profile test on this website.
Do I need to buy a franchise or pay an authorisation to use the program in my school?
In terms of authorisation rights, we don't put restrictions on where the program can be used, but what we do ask is that the copyright is respected. We ask that our work isn't photocopied, cut-and-pasted into other works, translated or reproduced in any other way without our express permission, as income from the books & DVD is our only source of income.
In universities and teachers' colleges, we don't ask for a fee to include the program on the curriculum but we do ask that each student purchase a copy of our DVD and at least one of our books, and that copies of all the books are made available in the University Library. The Move to Learn program is presently part of the teacher training curriculum at UNISA (the University of South Africa). The books are made available through the university bookshop, and we offer the university a discount price so that they can also make a small profit on that.
For people that want to use the program as part of their own business, (training others or helping children directly), we only ask that they buy our products and refer any they are working with to our website if they would like to have their own copy.
Again, no photocopying or reproducing for clients.
We don't sell franchises or offer exclusive territories because we want everyone to be able to use the program as freely as possible.
How can I become a Certified Move to Learn Practitioner?
You can read more about that here, and you can apply directly through this website by downloading an application form.