Learning and the process of learning are the foundations of our program. Movement and learning are close companions. Dr. Carla Hannaford, noted neurophysiologist, states “Movement is essential to learning. Movement awakens and activates many of our mental capacities. Movement integrates and anchors new information and experience into our neural networks.” John Ratey, M.D. states that “mounting evidence shows that movement is crucial to every other brain function, including memory, emotion, language, and learning…Our ‘higher’ brain functions have evolved from movement and still depend on it.” Current research links movement taught in preschool gymnastics to learning and reading readiness. Movement helps to integrate our brain and facilitates our ability to learn with ease. img4Ashley’s Garden is passionate about movement and ‘play’. Play conjures up adventure and exploration, imagination and FUN. Current studies demonstrate that ‘play’ is an important component of learning – that play actually promotes learning. “Play is the major way by which the creative intelligences and capacities of the child develops,” states Joseph Chilton Pearce. And if you like Einstein (you know, e = mc2 fame), you may recall some of his statements about imagination, “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for while knowledge points to all there is, imagination points to all there will be.” How great is that!! At Ashley’s Garden special attention is given to movement and learning. We use gymnastics (the best integrative movement available), swimming and dance to promote brain organization and brain development as research clearly documents these benefits of movement. These activities support our exceptional academic curriculum and also develop gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, eye-foot coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, taking turns, socialization skills and following verbal directions. We believe it is important to address the foundations of learning. Current research has highlighted ‘executive function’ development in the brain as another predictor for success in school. Interestingly, movement has been shown to have affects on executive function also. Research has also identified motor skills and eye-hand coordination as the best predictors for success in reading and math when students where followed from kindergarten through third and fourth grade.