THE WHOLE CHILD
Embodied Learning & Somatic Practice
Learning Through the Whole Child
At Sunrise, learning has always been embodied. Children move before they write, experience rhythm before recording patterns on paper, learn mathematics through gesture and movement, and develop language through story and recitation.
Somatic practice deepens this foundation by inviting children to develop awareness of what is happening within their own bodies—supporting regulation, connection, presence, and readiness to learn.
SOMATIC PRACTICE AT SUNRISE
The Body Belongs in Learning
Children arrive with different kinds of energy. Somatic work helps us notice what the body is communicating and offer meaningful pathways for that energy to move, settle, organize, and reconnect.
Big energy may become digging, carrying, balancing, stirring, climbing, or purposeful movement. Quieter energy may find its way into story, breath, planting, sensory work, art, or a careful task.
The goal is not to “do somatics.” The goal is to create a school culture in which the body is naturally included.
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Learning Begins in the Body
Before a child can sustain attention, engage deeply with a lesson, navigate frustration, or connect meaningfully with others, their nervous system needs enough safety and regulation to be available for learning.
At Sunrise, movement is not something we save for recess. Rhythm, sensory experience, time in nature, purposeful movement, practical work, and opportunities for both activity and rest are woven throughout the day.
These experiences help children develop body awareness and support the regulation they need to participate fully in learning and relationship.
A regulated child is not necessarily a quiet child.
This is why we move.
THE 12 SENSES
THE SENSES, THE NERVOUS SYSTEM & THE DEVELOPING CHILD
Rudolf Steiner described twelve human senses extending beyond the familiar five as a way of considering how a child experiences the body, the surrounding world, meaning, language, and other human beings.
At Sunrise, this framework helps us think more expansively about development—not only in terms of the familiar senses, but also movement, balance, bodily well-being, warmth, language, thought, and relationship.
Modern developmental science uses different terminology and frameworks, but likewise recognizes that sensory processing, movement, arousal, attention, and emotional regulation are deeply interconnected. Our work brings these perspectives into conversation while remaining rooted in the lived experience of the child.
- The Twelve Senses is a Waldorf/anthroposophical developmental framework rather than a modern scientific model of sensory physiology.
WHERE THIS LIVES AT SUNRISE
WOVEN THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS
Somatic practice is not a separate class. It is part of the rhythm.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
Sometimes More Individual Space Helps
Somatic practices are woven naturally into the rhythm of the school day. At times, a child may also benefit from quieter, more individualized attention.
One-on-one sessions with our somatic practitioner offer space to slow down, notice, move, and reconnect. Depending on the individual child, a session may include movement, grounding, breath, nature, gardening, art, story, sensory exploration, or meaningful practical work.
These sessions are responsive rather than prescriptive—shaped around the child and what they may need in that moment.
- Families who feel their child may benefit from this kind of individualized support are welcome to begin a conversation with us.
GUIDING THE WORK
MEET MS. BRITTAIN
Ms. Brittian is Sunrise School’s Assistant Director, educator, and somatic practitioner.
She helps guide the integration of embodied awareness, movement, nature, sensory experience, creativity, and meaningful work throughout Sunrise—and offers individualized sessions when more focused support may be beneficial.
THE HEART OF THE WORK
Not an Addition. A Deepening.
Somatic work gives us another language for something Sunrise has always believed: children learn with their whole selves.
The mind matters. The body matters. The senses matter. Relationship matters. Movement, beauty, rhythm, meaningful work, nature, imagination, and belonging all have a place in education.
CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE?
Embodied Learning & Somatic Practice at Sunrise.
Explore our programs, visit the campus, or reach out to ask about individualized somatic support.