I Am Moving I Am Learning

In 2009, the Office of Head Start asked Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) to update I Am Moving I Am Learning (IMIL). An award-winning project, IMIL is a childhood obesity prevention approach for Head Start children.

Based on a gaps analysis and national needs assessment, HSBS created, pilot tested and added several new workshops and components for IMIL, making it a comprehensive project to address the needs of today's programs. Additions include the following:

• Teaching Across Cultural Horizons
• Motor Skill Development from Birth to Five
• Activities for All (Addresses inclusive audiences and adaptations)
• Move, Play & Learn at Home (Addresses active play at home)
• Take it Outside! (Addresses the benefits of outdoor play and enhancing the outdoor play/learning environment)

HSBS worked with Choosy Kids to develop and deliver a new four day facilitator training program. In 2010 and 2011, HSBS and Choosy Kids led three dynamic facilitator training events, creating an excited army of 300 IMIL Facilitators to take the program to scale across the country. Participants sang, danced and moved their way through workshops, learning how to deliver IMIL while creating life-long memories.

Affectionately dubbed Team Jazz Hands, the facilitators are offering 28 national IMIL trainings in 2011 for Head Start and Early Head Start communities across the country. In the years to come, the facilitators will continue to provide trainings at the regional level. In addition, HSBS has worked with the Child Care Bureau to help prepare them to adapt and train on IMIL in their national community.

Want a glimpse into just how fun learning can be? Watch the video below from the facilitator trainings in Herndon, VA, Kansas City, MO and San Jose, CA.