Linking Movement to Learning

The Central Mission of the brain is to intellectually navigate its environment. Therefore, learning must include movement concepts and skills.

What does movement mean?
There are 3 distinctions or definitions of movement when reviewing brain research:
Moving
Physical activity
Vigorous exercise

Moving is navigation of ones environment.
Not sitting still or lying down

Physical activity is voluntary movement that expands energy
Role playing, building a model, playing an inside game of toss and catch to review material

Vigorous exercise is physical activity that gets the heart into a target heart rate zone
Jumping jacks, running, biking, swimming, etc

Movement prepares the brain for optimal learning
When we move we are creating more blood flow. With blood traveling to the bodybrain at a greater rate, it feeds the brain the nutrients needed of oxygen and glucose.

Glucose
Glucose to the brain is what has is to a car…brain fuel
Each time you think you use a little glucose

Oxygen
Lack of oxygen results in disorientation, confusion, fatigue, sluggishness, concentration and memory problems
--So, I know what you are thinking – ok, I’ll just breathe

But alas here is the kicker:

A human exchanges about 10% of his oxygen with each normal breath.

Huh?

Kicker

90% of the oxygen in our bodybrain is stale!
(Until we deep breathe or exercise)

Movement or rather vigorous movement provides the brain with its needed nutrients.

Feeling Hungry?


There are 2 aspects of movement that benefit learners:

Physical fitness: having a healthy body, healthy mind.

Cognitive reinforcement: using a kinesthetic tactile approach to anchor academic concepts.

Blah, blah, blah, what are you trying to tell me?!

Memory is retrieved better when learned through movement

Physical activity counteracts learned helplessness and causes positive learning states

Repetitive gross motor movement balances brain chemicals that calm behavior and elevates self esteem and self worth accommodating ADD/ADHD

Movement = learning

*Research compiled by Nicole Sweet Bills from Eric Jensen, Fragile Brain Research conference, and Dr. Jean Blaydes a neurokinesiologist

Reading aloud to children

Indeed, as Anderson et al. (1985) notes, reading aloud has been shown to be the “single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading” (p. 23)

Parents model the way and why of reading and in doing so they inspire their children to try this magic called reading.

Reading is an acquired skill: the more you do it, the better you get at it; the better you get at it, the more you like it; and the more you like it, the more you do it.

Since awareness must come before desire, reading aloud can be used to expose your children to good books, which in turn serves as a springboard to their independent reading.

Along with everything else, reading to your children can be considered “seed money” in reaching tomorrow’s parents. The child who never sees or hears an adult reading aloud for pleasure is unlikely to grow up and read to children.

In conclusion, reading aloud strengthens the possibility of their future education.