Mind Moves | About

500

More than 500 appearances on television and at speaking events.

Please complete the digital form below to invite Dr Melodie de Jager to present a talk or presentation at your event.

About Dr Melodie de Jager & the Mind Moves Institute

Some might describe her approach to development and learning as unconventional—certainly “out of the box.” But one thing no one can say about Melodie de Jager is that she is ordinary. A dynamic and pioneering developmental specialist, her work continues to challenge traditional thinking and redefine what is possible in learning and human development.

A Lifelong Question About Learning

Dr de Jager’s journey began with a powerful insight as a young woman:

If you want to influence a child’s development in a meaningful way, you must start before the age of six.

Driven by this conviction, she qualified as a nursery school teacher in 1982 and became a principal just two years later. Despite passionate teachers, well-designed curricula, and supportive parents, she noticed something unsettling—some children still struggled to learn and to become school-ready.

This observation sparked a question that would shape the course of her life:

Why do some children learn with ease while others struggle?

Searching for Answers

While raising three children of her own, Dr de Jager continued her studies in Educational Psychology and ran a private nursery school until 1990. Her professional journey then expanded into corporate training, where she facilitated programmes on motivation, communication, profiling, and leadership. Yet the same question remained: What enables learning in some people, but not in others?

Her search for answers took her beyond education and psychology into the fields of neurology, movement science, and reflex development. Through this exploration, she discovered a profound principle: when early development follows its natural course, learning tends to emerge spontaneously.

This insight became the foundation of her work.

The Birth of Mind Moves

Dr de Jager’s research and practical work culminated in a series of influential publications and the growing interest in her work led to the establishment of the Mind Moves Institute in 2007.

Her first book was published in 2002 and was quickly followed by a growing list of titles over the past 24+ years.

Today, the Mind Moves programme includes a wide range of assessments, interventions, and training programmes designed to support optimal development and learning. Each of these offerings shares a common goal: to help children thrive while empowering the adults who guide and support them.

Unlocking Human Potential

Over the past decade, Dr de Jager’s work has expanded to support individuals across the entire lifespan—from infants and schoolchildren to students, professionals, and senior adults. Each programme is designed to strengthen development physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

While Melodie holds the academic degrees B.Prim.Ed, B.Ed Psych, M.Ed Psych, and D.Phil, it is her experience as a mother, grandmother, educator, and private practitioner that has opened up a wealth of practical knowledge and insight.

Although she holds many titles and qualifications, Dr de Jager simply refers to herself as a Developmental Specialist—a title that reflects her lifelong passion: helping people unlock their potential through a deeper understanding of development, movement, and the brain.