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Integral Steps Blog

Bringing Back the Connection Between Emotions, Attention, and Learning

2/1/2022

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Although it’s already a month into 2022, we wish you a Happy New Year! At Integral Steps, we are thrilled to continue strengthening our community and working around an integrative education. What are you thrilled about this 2022?
Last year, we talked about the relationship between emotions and memory, emotions and attention, and the idea that real learning occurs through experience. In conversation about these ideas with Weronika Balewski, IS Instructor and Director of Development, a new fundamental element was brought up: the importance of the group to enhance positive emotions and learning experience in children or adults. Here is some of the takeaway from Weronika:


What does it mean to take into account your students’ emotions when planning a lesson?
- WB: Thinking about the emotional experience of students in a classroom means that I [as a teacher], have to think differently about my goals. The result is that, if students are engaged emotionally, they will really care about what they are learning and their attention will be put into the day’s lesson. For this, I have to come up with exercises and activities that will allow me to move the theory into experiences, and thus, emotions. What if we learn about different ways of grouping beats into meters by imitating how different animals jump? I definitely have to think of activities that the students will absolutely be thrilled about… 
What is the importance of the group for an integrative musical education?
- WB: The group allows students to live the experience that music is created in community; music is a creative personal expression, it is a conversation and it is created in collaboration, in community. In a classroom, it is clear that once the imagination of some students begins to burst, others follow, and more and more ideas are created. Creativity ignites creativity… We want to perform and create music that is relevant for our community, so we must be connected to it, emotionally. 

- WB: Another important aspect of the group is that it creates a safety net for each student to perceive and acknowledge their emotions. Often, not all the students will be in the same emotional state or energy level to participate in the class. However, seeing how others interact provides a baseline for them to understand how they are feeling (even if they cannot change it). As a group, we work towards not judging these different states, but integrate them. If some students are up and need to release that energy, then maybe we can all move to a fast beat, but if some students are low, then we could bring the whole class to a calmer way of expressing the topic of the day. 
 How do you feel the group has been an important aspect of your integrative educational experience? Let us know! ​
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    ​​Integral Steps 
    ​
    specializes in integrative education programming
    ​to support the balanced development of individuals, families, and communities.
    Our 
    programs connect Music, Movement, Art, Spanish and Science to create an experience that stimulates the mind, body, and emotions, creating an environment that supports and promotes learning. ​

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​Integral Steps
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  • About Us
    • Dalcroze Education
    • Meet the Team
    • Partnerships
    • FAQ & Class Policies
    • Our Past Projects
    • Blog
  • Summer
  • Programs
    • Online Classes
    • New England (Massachusetts) Classes
    • 2025 NE Demo Week
    • Ohio Programming
    • Adults & Teens >
      • Fellowship Program
    • Scholarship Application
    • Curriculum Options
  • Instrumental Academy
    • New England Academy
    • Instruments
  • Music Together
    • Music Together Summer 2025
    • Music Together Spring 2025
  • VDM
    • VDM Registration
    • VDM Scholarship
  • 2025 Practice Challenge
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Donate a Scholarship
    • Business Sponsorships
    • Gift Vouchers