What's the Sensational Scoop? Teaching Kids About Problem Solving with the Imagination Movers

Do you have a situation that needs some imagination? Then call on the Imagination Movers!

As many of you know, one of the areas Jaimie struggles with alot is getting started with with a project or task or getting lost while doing something. (You'd never know that with the brilliant board games she comes up with but it's true.) This causes huge frustration for her which usually ends with her becoming so anxious that she breaks down. So what we started doing was treating these situations like a problem-solving game. (Her WONDERFUL Kindy teacher came up with this, actually.)

When she gets upset or frustrated and starts telling herself, and us, that she 'can't do it,' we stop her and ask, "Okay, Jaimie, let's stop and think about this for a second. WHAT ABOUT this is hard?" Now quite often we have to prompt her to discover what her struggle is because she isn't always connecting what's causing the 'can't'. If/when that happens, we 'brainstorm', going through each and every step to where she got upset.

From there we can usually have our 'A-Ha' moment where we can understand the problem. (With Jaimie, it's often tactile issues, problems getting her hands to coordinate or simply not understanding the next step to go on.) Finally, we 'brainstorm' on solutions to the problem at hand then try each one until something works for her.

Sound familiar? YEAH!!! That's the Imagination Movers!

When the kids first expressed an interest in watching these guys, I had to watch it first. That's our rule: Mama watches it to see if it's a good 'kid show' then we can all watch it together. They are so cool! There sort of like the Wiggles in the sense that they dress in costumes and sing and dance. But the Movers are a bit more "Hip and Cool" (many of their tunes are sorta rap/Hip Hop/Chili Peppers stuff.) And the Movers focus on showing kids how they can solve almost any problem by staying calm, coming up with different ideas, and working as a team. As they say in every show, "No idea is a bad idea. Let's try it!" Then when something doesn't work, they discuss why and what needs to happen instead. The best part is that they work in a gynormous "Idea Warehouse" where they can go to for more ideas to problems. (I sorta like the idea of their "Sun Room" especially with all the rain we've been having lately.)

What a wonderful concept! All of my kids love this show and we talk through the shows seeing if we can figure out the solutions. Jaimie even comes up with her own ideas or the solution they Movers use at the end of the show, which means she's starting to sort of 'get' the idea of problem-solving. You see, this concept is difficult for alot of kids, not just ones with sensory or praxia issues. But shows like the Imagination Movers helps them without them even knowing their learning (and that's a great skill!!). And if your kids are like mine they'll also get that vestibular and proprioceptive input if they dance with the Movers. (Yes, I do it too. Sometimes we have to model and, frankly, I don't care what my neighbors think anymore. HA!)

I highly recommend checking these guys out. Plus, they're entertaining for the grown-ups watching too. I know I always appreciate that.  =)  We'll be having a chat with these guys very soon so be sure to follow us and check back since we might have a chance to win some cool Movers stuff for your kids. =)