Why combine learning with physical activity in children?
Answer
Research indicates that integrating physical activity with academic concepts in the classroom has many benefits. These benefits include being feasible to the teachers. Teachers can easily incorporate physical activity into the academic concepts. Another benefit of increasing physical activity with academic concepts in the classroom is that it helps students focus on learning. It improves physical activity levels and help schools achieve their wellness policies.
Participation in physical activity and higher levels of aerobic activity were associated with increased academic achievement in several different studies. A meta-analysis done of 59 studies from 1947 to 2009 indicated that physical activity has a significant and positive effect on children's achievement in cognitive outcomes and these studies also indicated it had the greatest effect on aerobic exercise. We are working here on incorporating movement with learning to increase both academic achievement and physical activity levels with aerobic exercise. There is a growing body of evidence also that suggests an active lifestyle and higher levels of aerobic fitness are associated with superior academic achievement, cognitive abilities, brain structure and brain function. We are looking at an ever-growing body of research that is supporting the link between movement and learning for both academic aptitude and for physical fitness.
Amy M. Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHS
Amy is an Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program and a Center of Teaching Excellence Faculty Liaison at the University of Findlay. She is the Website Co-Chair and Zoom Committee Chair for the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Amy has been practicing as a school-based PT for over 18 years, focusing on health promotion and physical activity embedded into academics and interprofessional collaboration, while closely working with educators, administrators, therapists, and parents. Her research on pediatric health promotion was published in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Amy also published, “Recycle Bin Boogie: Move and Learn with Recyclables,” a physical activity book combining academic concepts with common household recyclables. She has presented regionally and nationally on a variety of topics related to health promotion, active learning, school-based therapy, and special education.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/recycle-bin-bonanza-move-and-3124Recycle Bin Bonanza: Move and Learn with RecyclablesNot trash….Treasures!!!!! This course is a treasure-trove of ways to combine movement and learning with recycles into a variety of settings including schools, daycares, clinics, and the home environment. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Not trash….Treasures!!!!! This course is a treasure-trove of ways to combine movement and learning with recycles into a variety of settings including schools, daycares, clinics, and the home environment. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/recess-re-energized-3146Recess Re-energized!Get empowered to enliven this critical part of the school day! Learn how to collaborate with teachers to provide education and resources to families regarding age-appropriate physical activity guidelines, share general knowledge of motor learning principles and the benefits of physical exercise for children with Autism spectrum disorder and the importance of physical activity and fitness, and their relationship to health, participation, and wellness. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy for the school-based PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Get empowered to enliven this critical part of the school day! Learn how to collaborate with teachers to provide education and resources to families regarding age-appropriate physical activity guidelines, share general knowledge of motor learning principles and the benefits of physical exercise for children with Autism spectrum disorder and the importance of physical activity and fitness, and their relationship to health, participation, and wellness. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy for the school-based PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/beating-burnout-and-building-resilience-3939Beating Burnout and Building Resilience: Strategies to SucceedBurnout among healthcare professionals is widespread. In a national survey of PTs, 29% were found to have high emotional exhaustion burnout. Burnout of healthcare professionals is detrimental to patient care and the professional. This session will provide an overview of the history of burnout, causes, signs, effects, the prevalence in healthcare workers, and strategies to prevent and reduce burnout and build resilience. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Burnout among healthcare professionals is widespread. In a national survey of PTs, 29% were found to have high emotional exhaustion burnout. Burnout of healthcare professionals is detrimental to patient care and the professional. This session will provide an overview of the history of burnout, causes, signs, effects, the prevalence in healthcare workers, and strategies to prevent and reduce burnout and build resilience. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/impact-motor-learning-for-child-3870Impact of Motor Learning For The Child With Autism Spectrum DisorderMaster skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Master skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/power-to-go-meeting-needs-3615Power to Go: Meeting the Needs of Pediatric Power Mobility LearnersRecent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Recent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
