{"id":2542,"date":"2020-02-28T16:05:33","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T16:05:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tagtiv8.com\/?p=2542"},"modified":"2020-02-28T16:20:46","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T16:20:46","slug":"why-play-connectivity-creativity-with-physical-activity-pa-physically-active-learning-pal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tagtiv8.com\/why-play-connectivity-creativity-with-physical-activity-pa-physically-active-learning-pal\/","title":{"rendered":"Why PLAY? Connectivity & Creativity with Physical Activity (PA) & Physically Active Learning (PAL)"},"content":{"rendered":"
This week we were working with a school in London, when we heard an adult say, <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s the point of playing with Maths?\u201d<\/b> Rather than reply, we waited to watch her respond to a Tagtiv8 session, knowing full well the impact in advance. Cue a 180 degree about turn: <\/span>\u201cNow I get it – it\u2019s fun, it\u2019s active and it\u2019s sticky!\u201d <\/b>The latter term doesn\u2019t just apply to the velcro on the tags and belts. It\u2019s all about the learning – our \u2018move and learn\u2019 approaches make learning memorable.<\/span><\/p>\n When we created Tagtiv8, we looked to the <\/span>LEGO Foundation<\/span><\/a> as our inspiration. Why? Well, the name lego derives from an abbreviation in Danish of \u201cplay well\u201d – leg godt. Or you could simply read this awesome <\/span>article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n We wanted to create a resource that appealed to children of all ages – from Early Years to Primary\/Elementary and beyond. As teachers and school leaders, we need to create and develop innovative solutions to health and education issues – crucial in these days of increasingly sedentary lifestyles.<\/span><\/p>\n As Sarah Bouchie, Head of Global Programmes at the Lego Foundation says, \u201cLearning through play is all about:<\/span><\/p>\n LEGO has \u2018bricks\u2019 of different sizes, shapes and colours. Tagtiv8 has tags of different colours – with letters, numbers and symbols. Like LEGO, we provide instructions and diagrams for teachers and children so they know how to play the games. However, this is simply the starting point. Once they get to grips with the simplicity of the format, the imagination kicks in. Teachers are empowered, thinking, \u201cWe could use this for fractions, decimals, percentages and more.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Likewise, the children start pushing the boundaries of what\u2019s possible:<\/span><\/p>\n Tagtiv8 children create games with moves, rules, scoring systems and strategic tips to play well and win. They test out their ideas and refine them. They share these ideas and encourage others to twist, morph and blend their own ideas into the mix. Our BEST games are devised and developed by children. Why? Children are naturally creative, curious and know no boundaries. Watching them create their own moves is something very special indeed!<\/span><\/p>\n Designing and creating their own games is empowering and rewarding. Imagine the sense of pride the children from Lordship Lane Primary School in London have when they see their game, \u2018Tomato Ketchup and Mustard\u2019 being played by children elsewhere in the UK and even in other countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Watching children from EYFS\/Kindergarten enter a room – with the tags and Velcro strips strewn across the floor and the colourful buckets and pods in the middle – is wonderful. What do they do? They:<\/span><\/p>\n With older children, the imagination continues – as seen in this <\/span>collaborative programme<\/span><\/a> with fellow HundrED innovators, Night Zookeeper. What better way to spark creativity than a blend of movement, drama, art, writing and technology?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n We never cease to be amazed by the creativity of teachers and children. Pioneering schools have been exploring the links between our Active Word programme with languages other than English and other subjects such as History and Science. This certainly echoes our Mission Statement:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe were frustrated that many schools were focusing only on English and Mathematics \u2013 with certain subjects put to one side. In some schools, subjects are taught in boxes and we know that this is not how we learn best.\u201d<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n Watching children interweave subjects really takes the learning to another level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Like LEGO, there really is no limit to how the Tagtiv8 \u2018building blocks\u2019 can be used. To us, play isn\u2019t just about Physical Activity and Physically Active Learning games – it\u2019s about the explorative and experimental process of learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Play gets better still, when the <\/span>children lead Tagtiv8 sessions<\/span><\/a> on their own \u2013 especially with <\/span>older students helping younger children<\/span><\/a>. This certainly echoes the Lego Foundation\u2019s call to action,<\/span> \u201cLet\u2019s Champion the Power of Play.\u201d <\/b>Tagtiv8 really does help children of all ages play and interact and experiment more freely.<\/span><\/p>\nTagtiv8 and the LEGO Foundation – a Shared Ethos<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Children as Creatives<\/h3>\n
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Play Starts with the Very Young and Continues<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Going Beyond English & Mathematics<\/b><\/h3>\n
Children as Play Facilitators<\/b><\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/b><\/h3>\n