Meet The Teacher: Darlene From MoovKids

In our Meet The Teacher -series we introduce you to fantastic teachers teaching the unique educational solutions we sell and who deliver the Joy of Learning Online Lessons.

Name: Darlene Koskinen

Age: 54

Where are you from: Zimbabwe.

Your education: High School and a degree in teaching.

Company: Darlene is the founder of MoovKids, find out more information on www.moovkids.com.

What book are you reading right now?
The Well Balanced Child by Sally Goddard Blythe.

Who was the best teacher you ever had and why?
Peta Knott. She was a sports teacher during my high school years and I then taught recreational gymnastics with her for many years. She taught me how to be the teacher I am today. I learnt how to captivate and engage children, how to be a compassionate but firm teacher. I learnt numerous valuable teaching techniques that have been the core of my teaching methods for many years.

What movement/sport do you personally enjoy the most?
Karate - I am a 3rd Dan karate instructor. I have been training and teaching karate for over 20 years. I have witnessed people’s lives being transformed by doing karate and the physical and cognitive benefits of doing so are huge.

What movement/sport would you like to learn?
Yoga - When I am older I would love to focus on learning yoga myself and perhaps teaching it too.

What is the greatest thing you have learned from your students?
I have learnt that children can learn in a variety of ways, some need hugs and encouragement and some respond well to firmer instruction, but most of all I have learnt that children love to move. It makes them happy, they thrive on it, respond well to it and if you make it fun they keep coming back for more.

A tip for parents: how to include more spontaneous movement to your kids day?
Encourage your children to walk on low walks, allow them to hang upside down and explore climbing frames freely. Let them roll and tumble down grassy hills and challenge them to run at every opportunity. Use the stairs and count them as you do so. Be sure your child has a ball, a skipping rope and whenever possible, ride bicycles or walk instead of using the car or bus. Children need to burn up energy, build stamina and muscle strength and it is important they move often and well. So, encourage your children to move with excitement and enthusiasm, move together with them, and cherish the quality time this provides.