When children move, they learn. It’s really that simple... and it’s really that powerful. Yet somehow today, in our fast-paced, over-scheduled, tech-savvy world, that idea often gets lost.
MOVING SMART was founded in 1997 by Gill Connell, Educator, Child Development Expert, and best-selling author, to help teachers and parents better understand the role movement plays in early childhood development while giving children all they need to move their bodies, build their brains, and develop the foundations they’ll need for a lifetime of learning.
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GILL CONNELL Founder, MOVING SMART Mum, Grandmum, Teacher, International Lecturer, Author and Consultant "A moving child is a learning child." Gill is a globally recognised child development authority, specialising in the foundations of learning through movement and play. Gill provides developmental expertise to parents, preschools, schools, and international companies such as Hasbro, Inc., based on her 30+ years in preschool and primary education. With her best-selling book MOVING TO LEARN, Gill has influenced the education of preschoolers nationwide in New Zealand, and is branching out worldwide with new and exciting Moving Smart initiatives. |
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ADELE ORANGI Preschool Movement Expert, MOVING SMART South Island, NZ Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Training Facilitator, and Parenting Movement Consultant National representative in tennis and all-round athlete, Adele was the driving force behind New Zealand's national SPARC Preschool Active Movement initiative in the Canterbury West Coast region. Adele is an early childhood educator, who has taught in New Zealand and the UK. With 10+ years of classroom and playground experience, combined with her love of children, Adele brings a natural enthusiasm and invaluable knowledge base the Moving Smart playground, preschool and school programmes in the South Island. |
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ELLIE DAVIDSON Preschool Movement Expert, MOVING SMART Lower North Island, NZ Mum, Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Training Facilitator, and Parenting Movement Consultant With a Bachelor's Degree in Education, Diploma of Teaching in New Zealand and QTS status in England specialising in PE and Special Education, Ellie brings "contagious passion" for building world-class movement programs across the Lower North Island. Like all Moving Smart Experts Ellie led the national SPARC Preschool Active Movement programme in the Wellington region for more than six years before coming to Moving Smart. And a new mum herself, Ellie now has her own little Moving Smart mover at home! |
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MANDY WILSON Preschool Movement Expert, MOVING SMART Auckland/Northland, NZ Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Training Facilitator, and Parenting Movement Consultant Mandy comes to Moving Smart holding a kindergarten diploma and over 20 years experience working in various early childhood settings including kindergartens, full care and community based centres. In recent years Mandy’s energy has been centred on delivering the SPARC Active Movement initiative to educators and families in the Counties Manukau region. Being an active sports person Mandy has a strong belief in the importance of early movement for a young child and is passionate in her vision to deliver this message to educators and parents in the region.
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WENDY PIRIE (MHSC) Preschool Movement Expert, MOVING SMART Lower North Island, NZ Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Training Facilitator, and Parenting Movement Consultant Wendy is a mother to 3 boys aged 10, 8 and 4 and previously held the role of Early Childhood Development Officer for Sport Hawkes Bay. Last year Wendy completed a Master of Health Science from the University of Auckland with a research thesis investigating the impact of perceptual motor program Smart Start with PMP on new entrant children's learning and behaviour. |
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LOUISE DEMPSEY MOVING SMART Smart Words Consultant Mum, Educator, Curriculum Developer, Writer and Smart Words Consultant Louise is a teacher, Consultant, trainer and writer in the area of primary education with more than 15 years of specialised experience in literacy and "teaching and learning." Louise has developed phonics curriculum for the Department of Education in the UK, and since returning to New Zealand has developed a consultancy to some of the country's largest schools and teacher training facilities. Louise implements Moving Smart's SMART WORDS training programmes across all primary school year levels across New Zealand. www.learningsmart.co.nz |
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DIANA JENKIN Office Manager, MOVING SMART Mum, Office Manager, Sales Support and Customer Service With 30+ years of experience in business, Diana is the "glue" that keeps Moving Smart moving. Diana's unique Playcentre training combined with her passion for children and learning, brings a deep understanding of the needs of teachers, parents and children alike, while deftly managing the day to day operations of Moving Smart. In short, if you want to know anything about Moving Smart, ask Diana!
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