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Childhoodnature in Motion: The Ground for Learning

Book cover Research Handbook on Childhoodnature

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

Abstract

This chapter aims to establish embodied movement as both the physical and metaphysical ground for learning, including aesthetic learning in an ecological context. We advocate the moving body as critical to celebrating and deepening childhoodnature. The disconnections from embodiment that have occurred within western cultures and the implications of educational settings that lack an acceptance of natural movement expression and experiential “whole body” learning methodologies are discussed. A double bind arises from the split between mind and body, humanity and nature, and scientific materialism and broader holistic views of science (Moradian, Double Bind: Finding our way back home (manuscript in preparation), 2017). Examples of problems, solutions, and research suggestions are provided through a series of vignettes that offer an analysis of bodily disassociation, or disembodiment, and propose a revitalization of thinking, feeling, and living childhoodnature through the body in and as movement. We suggest that developing a lifelong somatic relationship with our bodies in motion, a relationship in which we bring our attention to our lived (psychosensory-motor) experience, is a powerful way to reclaim that wholeness which allows us to care and connect for self and others, to feel a sense of place and belonging, and to self-regulate our behavior for optimal interaction with our world.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Kinesthetic Education, NY, New York, USA

    Martha Hart Eddy

  2. Perspectives In Motion, Paris, France

    Ann Lenore Moradian

Authors
  1. Martha Hart Eddy
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  2. Ann Lenore Moradian
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Martha Hart Eddy or Ann Lenore Moradian .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Southern Cross University School of Education, Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia

    Amy Cutter-Mackenzie

  2. Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University Centre for Educational Research, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

    Karen Malone

  3. Department of Education, University of Bath Department of Education, Bath, United Kingdom

    Elisabeth Barratt Hacking

Section Editor information

  1. Manchester Metropolian University, Manchester, UK

    David Rousell

  2. Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Dilafruz Williams

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Eddy, M.H., Moradian, A.L. (2018). Childhoodnature in Motion: The Ground for Learning. In: Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Malone, K., Barratt Hacking, E. (eds) Research Handbook on Childhoodnature . Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51949-4_97-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51949-4_97-2

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51949-4

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  1. Latest

    Childhoodnature in Motion: The Ground for Learning
    Published:
    08 May 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51949-4_97-2

  2. Original

    Childhoodnature in Motion: The Ground for Learning
    Published:
    24 February 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51949-4_97-1

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