In this episode, Ted and James discuss childhood motor development as it relates to education. Seen in its fullest meaning, FM Alexander's work provides a foundation for education. But it's not so easy to say what that means, or to come up with concrete ways to implement the work in a school setting. Ted lays out a three-part analytical framework for understanding the developing child. First, the child's postural tone – what Alexander called the "primary control" – needs to be appreciated and understood. This is the foundation for all of a child's activities, skilled and otherwise, and is the organizing factor behind their breathing, circulation, stress tolerance, and ability to move in space. Second, the manner in which a child goes about the activities of life, and the effect this manner has on the child's postural tone. This goes as deeply as whether a child is even able to handle a pen and paper without compromising their all-important postural tone. Third, what effect do the first two factors have on a child's ability to be attentive to their surroundings, which they seem to lose as they get older? The work of integrating these foundational tools into childhood education is unfortunately not as simple as bringing an Alexander Technique teacher into each classroom!

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