Why do Kids Need to Move to Learn?

photo credit: www.coolcatteacher.com
Why do Kids Need to Move to Learn?
photo credit: www.coolcatteacher.com

If you’re wondering why kids need to move to learn, it’s quite simple. When kids use their bodies in the learning process, it can have a huge positive effect, even if it seems silly or unconnected to the learning goal at hand.

There are negative impacts upon students, particularly those with ADD/ADHD, using the American model of students sitting down to receive instruction. Currently, only one student out of twelve has the core strength of students measured in the 1980’s, impacting physical health and overall achievements.

Have you heard of the new routine that includes a physically active type of break every hour?

Implementing recess times each hour to allow for physical activity to increase core strength helps to activate areas of the brain that help increase student achievement. Research by a number of experts supports a fidget-friendly mindset.

A recent study found that children need to move to focus during a complicated mental task. The children in the study, those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in particular, fidgeted more when a task required them to store and process information rather than just hold it. This is why students are often restless while doing math or reading, but not while watching a movie,

Even kids not struggling with ADD or ADHD may show signs of inattention because their being asked to sit still for an extended amount of time.  Research indicates that sitting still while learning has a negative effect on kids’ learning as well as on their health.

For more about why kids need to move to learn, read the original article here: Why Do We Ask Kids to Sit Down and Learn When the Research Says…

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About SensoryEdge 174 Articles
Articles written by SensoryEdge are a combined effort of the SensoryEdge publishing staff. At SensoryEdge our focus is to educate, inform, and inspire each person caring for children to be and do their very best. It is not always easy and sometimes we don't take action (or we take the wrong action) because of a lack of understanding the real issues. We hope that the conversations that occur here will help in some small way better the lives of children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.