Answer to Question 1
TRUE
Answer to Question 2
Socially: creates social unity, cooperation, sharing, collective discipline, introduces cultural experiences, learn to take on roles.
Cognitively: improves brain's ability to order movements and connect mind and body, solve problems, improves kinesthetic memory, improves understanding of positions in space, one-on-one correspondence and counting. Cements concepts such as move in, around, under, and above. Linguistically: communicate better with gesture, hand control improves speech, increased vocabulary for movements and body elements.
Emotionally: improves self-confidence and self-expression through being in control of one's body and feeling fit. Releases endorphins and so gives pleasure, reduces stress, and improves mental attitudes.
Example Activity:
Have each child pretend they are an animal of their choice looking for food in the forest as part of a study of the food chain. Ask: How will your animal move? What will your animal look for to eat? What happens if you meet an animal who wants to eat you or you it?
Social: Children will work together to move safely so as not to hurt each other. I will know this is happening when they move around leaving enough space so they don't get in each other's way. Cognitive: Children will problem solve to figure out how to show who is eaten. I will know this is happening when we brainstorm ideas and come to consensus on what we will try.
Language: Children will use the elements of movement vocabulary when discussing how to show they are eaten. I will know this is happening when I hear them say we can hold hands and move slower to show we caught someone, or open and close our mouths to show we are eating.
Emotion: Children will grow in self-confidence. I will see this happening with they move with increasing control and successfully perform their animal movements.