Imagine there are no physical education (PE) or physical activity (PA) classes allotted in the school timetable. Will the learning experience throughout the whole day be great? No!! The learning experience will be monotonous for the learners.
Is PE the only class where we can incorporate movement? Movement can be used in any classroom across all learning areas. Adding movement in the classroom will result in more focused, better-behaved students who can learn more throughout the school day.
Physical activity is good for all. Research has shown that physical movement helps in academic excellence. Here are some of the benefits of incorporating movements in our classroom.
- Active engagement: It helps in capturing and retaining student’s attention thus increasing their engagement in the learning process.
- Improved focus and concentration: Research has shown that physical activity stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive function. By incorporating short bursts of movement, such as stretching, jumping jacks, or simple exercises, students can release excess energy, increase blood flow to the brain, and improve their ability to concentrate on academic tasks.
- Retention of memory: When students engage in physical activities while learning, such as acting out a concept or participating in hands-on experiments, they create multisensory experiences that reinforce learning. These experiences activate multiple regions of the brain, which enhances memory formation and improves long-term retention.
- Social and emotional well-being: Cooperative movement activities in the classroom build cooperation, teamwork and social interaction among students.
Ways to incorporate movement as part of our classroom culture:
- By adding gestures or motions to vocabulary words or important concepts.
- To let the students answer questions in a different manner that allows certain movement.
- The teacher can encourage the walk-and-talk strategy in the classroom where the student will be allowed to walk and talk around the classroom or in the corridors to discuss as space permits.
- Incorporating a brain gym in between the sessions.
- Let one session happen amid nature.
- “Simon Says ”is a great way to have our students learn new concepts. This will create a connection between auditory and kinesthetic learning.
It’s important to note that incorporating movement in the classroom does not mean replacing traditional teaching methods but rather integrating movement as a complementary tool to enhance the learning experience. Different activities can be tailored to suit the age group, curriculum, and individual needs of students, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.