So many times, we see someone who is considered an “expert” in an area, and we have this subconscious image that they have always been “this”. Well, the truth is, none of us have started out as what we are. So, I wish to use this forum to discuss my own struggles, triumphs, and learning process a little bit. Because those things, in addition to my own personal story and progress, is what made me who I am. It is not only my professional and personal exploration, but my mistakes and successes together that have made me the expert that many consider me to be in the field of childhood obesity prevention and physical development. I heard someone say recently that an expert is a student first. My life as a professional is living proof of that. I have spent years learning and listening, and now it is time to speak. I never thought I would say this, but I enjoy finally being entrepreneurial with freedom of expression and decision. Notice I didn’t say in business “for my self” or “on my own”. Neither of those are true. Keep reading…
The Ego
The first thing I had to learn to put away when working with children is ego. It is one of the first things I talk about with coaches and teachers now. I remember when I got my first couple of solid groups of kids in South Florida. Many times, at the beginning, they had no desire to do what I was asking them to do. You see, I wasn’t just working with talented competitive athletes. I was working with children and adolescent who had a range of skill and motivation. They were each an individual in their own right. But my “solution” early on was to “re-explain” to them what “they needed to do” for them, and to “teach them to respect their teacher”. Now, I wasn’t mean, and I rarely yelled (once when children were being disrespectful and ignoring another coach, and once when a boy called a girl a “whore”). 99% of the time, I was friendly with kids and we had great rapport.
But I realized pretty early that I had failed to ask the most important question: What were they interested in? Had I respected their wants and needs? It all goes back to that “sponge” issue I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.
The reality is: I hadn’t. I was too concerned about “applying my expertise”.
I was either assuming that they shared my goals for them, or that they were there to exercise and get into shape. I had assumed, wrongly, that all I had to do was “inspire” them and “teach” them. What we often egregiously misunderstand about many children is that the “rah-rah” stuff is not motivating for them. For one, they don’t necessarily care about what you care about. Two, this may actually turn them off, because we are quite obviously trying to “make” them do what we want them to do. Your approach may or may not jibe with what they want.
So, I started listening to kids. I would let a couple of kids each session pick two activities that were their special thing. We all had to participate. This worked. I was including them in decisions, instead of barking orders. You see, whether you do it with a smile or not, barking orders is barking orders.
The Justaposition of Ideas
So, how do we reconcile the three following facts
1. Kids need to be involved in shaping their own play experience
2. There are skills that they need to learn
3. Some semblance of order must be maintained
We solve this first, by using the Move Theory to recognize that several truths can exist in one space and time. All of the above are necessary and true. Too many programs and approaches have tried to fight or ignore this. Too many lack the skills and background to combine them. This is where I can deliver valuable help, having mentored and been responsible for the education and skill improvement of thousands in the fields of physical education, youth coaching, and youth fitness.
I travel the United States (and I am open to traveling abroad) to share my knowledge of child development and Active Play, and how we can fix the problems with current approaches. You see, I am pretty unique (not better than everyone, but unique). Many have done some of the following, but few have done all of the following:
1. Worked as a bona fide developmental scientist and contributed original research in neural development
2. Worked in a supervisory role in government.
3. Engaged extensively in Active Play with young people from infancy through adolescence
4. Worked as a private freelancer
5. Conducted workshops and presentations on neural development, child development and Active Play for thousands of people throughout the United States.
6. Been raised in a family of premier educators and child development scholars.
I have been looking at the problems of education and child development all my life. I don’t just look to give speeches. I love to workshop with people, truly listen to questions, and answer challenges. This is what Move Theory is all about: listening and sharing, creating open lines of communication to solve problems. And I love it! Each time I teach, I learn. Each time I learn, I teach. And so the circle continues. I hope that people continue to book me for workshops and presentations, but I must say that I appreciate already the incredibly rich experiences I have had so far.
To bring me in for understanding and help in creating Active Play environments, contact: info@ecoutezspeakers.com
I have spent 20 years intensely studying movement disciplines, child development, neural system development, organizational planning, and societal shifts to form the approach I take to this problem. This has resulted in the approach I take now. The approach of Move Theory and Move Create is to “Use No Way As the Way”, adapted from Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do. Instead of just creating a rigid program, and telling you to buy it or leave it, I listen to what your specific needs are and either help them tweak my programs for their needs, or plug into their organization itself and help them come up with viable, sustainable solutions.
With Move Youth, I take the same approach when working with young people. I talk to them, get to know what their wants and needs are. With that, I help them to create their own movement experience. We remain in constant communication and flux. I remind them that I am there for them. They are not here to glorify me, but their own experience. Thus far, I have worked individually and in groups with over a thousand young football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and tennis players. I have helped shape the movements of young hip hop and ballet dancers. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity and skills to change the lives of so many sedentary children, helping them learn to love movement, to find enjoyment in it. It is often this that I am most grateful for.
Do your kids need help? Do you coach kids and do you want to improve your skills? Then contact me at drkwamebrown@movetheory.com.
The Product
Need something tangible, that you can buy? As we say in my culture – I got you! The FUNction program, finally coming to the market in the next few months, does just that After years of trying different approaches, listening to kids, bringing counselors in over winter and spring breaks as interns, and researching other programs, FUNction Coachable Moments has solved this conundrum. The idea is to work the basic movement skills into games. FUNction Coachable Moments is about asking questions, guiding, and probing, rather than barking and prodding. This program will not be fancy. It will not have video (most of what I have delivered has been for government agencies, so video rights are hard to come by). What FUNction will have is all the tools you need to shape an Active Play program for kids and do it with very little equipment expense.
Take Action Below to stay up to date on Move Theory offerings, events, and information. This isn’t “self” promotion. This is “mission” promotion. This is, “let’s fix these problems for kids” promotion. This is, “let me lead this charge for you” promotion.
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May 4, 2011 at 5:50 pm
jleeger
You are certainly an expert, my friend, and your voice needs to be heard.