Ep228. ft. Lara Barnes - Movement Before Learning: Practical Strategies for a Brain-Ready Classroom (Part 2)

You cannot discipline a nervous system into becoming ready to learn. Sometimes the most effective classroom intervention begins with movement, regulation, and connection. In Part 2, Lara Barnes moves from neurological theory to practical classroom application. She explains how brief movement routines, cross-body coordination, animal walks, balance exercises, wall pushes, breathing, humming, stretching, and sensory activities may help students become calmer, more physically organized, and better prepared to participate in learning. Mike and Lara also examine the limitations of traditional classrooms built around sitting still, remaining silent, and obeying instructions—expectations that may unintentionally penalize students whose bodies and nervous systems need additional support. The conversation explores technology and assistive tools, teacher-parent collaboration, early intervention, inclusive education, the psychological consequences of labels, and why behavior should be approached as communication rather than automatic defiance. Part 2 delivers a direct message to educators: Movement is not always a distraction from learning. For some students, movement is what makes learnin...