Physical activity in the school setting aids in the fight against childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. Exercise improves posture, strength, and aids circulation, plus it improves a person's overall mentality. Lack of exercise is a growing concern for elementary schools where children stay in one classroom throughout the day and have shortened periods for PE.
Medical experts agree that the stimulating effects of exercise increase cognitive function and may even improve behavior in some students. If physical exercise improves thinking and memory, should primary school teachers incorporate physical workouts into classroom learning? Would brief periods of exercise energize the brain so that it is able to learn more?
Elementary Schools are at a Disadvantage Regarding Exercise
Children in primary school may get forty minutes of structured physical exercise during the school day if they are lucky. Some schools still have recess where students may get up and move around, but this still leaves long periods of inactivity during the day.
In most middle schools and in high school, students change classes anywhere from four to six times per day. Additionally, adolescents and teens participate in elective courses during the school day that may include dance class, theater, band, orchestra, chorus, and so forth. These types of courses require at least some physical activity.
In the elementary school classroom, it's usually the teacher who moves about, walking between rows of students, trying to keep young minds interested in the topic. By asking questions, using visual aids, and even changing voice tone, a teacher uses everything within his or her creative power to keep students alert and motivated. Even the best instructor is not always successful at keeping children focused on class work.
How Exercise Aids in Academic Learning
Does physical activity have a significant positive effect on learning? Would incorporating one or two minutes of stimulating physical activity make a student's brain receptive to new information?
Margaret Rice is physical therapist and author of the article, "Bulk Up the Brain: The Benefits of Bringing Physical Activity into the Classroom," featured in the monthly trade magazine Advance for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants (May 2008, pg. 26-27). Rice says there are benefits of physical activity in regards to school performance: "The brain's short- and long-term memory may improve by using more than one mode of information." Allowing students to briefly exercise before the lesson helps the brain to process information in addition to methods used by the teacher. "In other words, motor memory can complement the initial verbal or visual memories."
Teachers Can Add Physical Exercise in the Classroom
Getting up and stretching between changes in classroom subjects is a start and many teachers probably already do this much. Here are six ideas to add exercise to a classroom lesson plan:
- Create a simple exercise routine – jumping-jacks, squat thrusts, twisting at the waist, or some combination of moves to get the heart and lungs involved.
- Make up a few dance moves to get kids working out. Or, get a few students who are interested in dance to help create a short routine everyone can follow.
- If space permits, invest in small size hula hoops and have exercise sessions.
- The teacher can toss out a half-dozen Nerf balls to students standing by their desks. Kids catch and throw the balls to each other. Anyone who drops a ball has to do five or six jumping-jacks.
- Create musical instruments – or invest in cheap tambourines, woodblocks, triangles, and drums – and allow the children to make music while they move about the classroom.
- Do sports cheers like the ones cheerleaders use. Make up a few unique class cheers.
Cutbacks to Physical Education and the Arts
It doesn't make sense that courses in physical education and the arts be reduced or cut from a school's curriculum, especially when such courses can contribute to academic learning. Teachers can seek additional help from school staff for exercise ideas. If there is a physical or occupational therapist on campus, then have him recommend exercises that can be used in the classroom.
As a last resort, teachers and parents are urged to support after-school activities for young children, even though these activities won't help much during the school day. Classes in martial arts, dance, theater, music, baton twirling, gymnastics, and many more choices are popular with kids. Sports teams attract children, as well.
The goal is to get children moving and keep them moving to reap the most from physical activity. Encourage children to reduce the risks of becoming overweight by exercise, and help them increase brain power at the same time. Incorporate brief periods of exercise into the classroom academic program.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
Join the Conversation