By Rachael Carnes
Recent studies on inactivity in school-aged American children look pretty grim:
To take action, schools are infusing movement into the environment itself by creating dynamic "moving" classrooms, where children are encouraged sit and bounce on rubbery physio balls, to stand, to walk and to stretch. And more schools are adopting strategic projects like ours, that fuse movement right into academic learning. And children respond: Academics are not compromised by more physical activity. In fact, evidence suggests that increased activity has a measurably positive effect on test scores.
Stephen Virgilio, Ph.D., author of Active Start for Healthy Kids says, "Activity that uses the large muscles and raises the heart rate and body's core temperature will wake you up."
We benefit, our hearts and lungs benefit, and our brains get a great energy surge from any form of exercise. By this account, repetitive gross motor movements that raise your core temp should do the trick.
But further inquiry suggests that the quality of movement experience actually has an effect on the brain's ability to adapt to change. Thirty years of study suggest that physical activity that is improvisational in nature, that invites a sense of adventure and exploration, leads to greater behavioral flexibility.
Recently, researchers have begun to look more closely at the relationship between physical play and cognitive development. Their findings suggest that in physical play, children eagerly engage in a process that helps them to conceptualize, develop, test and refine new ideas.
And ethologist Maxeen Biben suggests that all this fun actually improves our higher order thinking skills: "The ability to switch among alternative sequences," she says, "May be as valuable as getting lots of practice in the most effective sequences."
In other words, understanding and working with how we learn may be a more efficient way to retain what we learn.
David Katz M.D. of the Yale School of Public Health lists dance in his top ten ways to get active. Since dance appeals to folks who may not be interested in sports, kids of all abilities, kids with a creative flare, it offers an intriguing solution to the problem of our sedentary lifestyle. Dance says, "Get moving."
Teachers, with the support of administrators, parents and community organizations, are partnering to use physical movement in all areas of daily lessons. They're creating integrative learning opportunities in math, reading, and language arts, science. For the average student, this is a fun diversion. For the kinesthetic learner, it's a clear route to success.