Fueling the Body and Brain for Optimal Learning
The brain requires water, sleep, oxygen, blood flow, and proper nutrients for an optimal learning state. If the brain does not have a healthy status, how can we ask students to perform at peak levels? The next important question is, “Which of these components can school settings actually control, monitor, and/or change?” Traditional technology usage does not deliver all these benefits. Additionally, many students attend school without receiving a restful night of sleep, nor do they have access to proper nutrition. These are crucial factors and, in most cases, out of the schools’ hands. Students of all ages have nodded off at their desks because their bodies and brains were simply demanding sleep. The delivery of a physically active academic lesson can help a sleepy child maintain some attention and state of alertness during instruction and while completing tasks. Ideal cognitive processing may not be a realistic expectation in this sleep-deprived state, but active learning can surely help make a difference.
Oxygen is essential for learning, yet 90% of the oxygen in our body/brain is stale unless we breathe deeply or exercise (Moize & Hess, 2017). Can you predict what fuels the brain and has been referred to by Dr. John Ratey (2008) as “Miracle-Gro” for the brain? If you answered “exercise,” you would be correct! Physical activity and exercise grow new brain cells (neurogenesis) in the learning and memory centers of the brain. Additionally, movement activates the BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor), which is a protein in humans that nourishes and protects the neural pathways for learning. Experts have suggested that student engagement increases 10% to 12% more during class simply by standing (Blaydes Madigan, 2009; Moize & Hess, 2017). When we sit for a certain amount of time, blood begins to pool in the feet and gluteus maximus, which is not beneficial for the body or the brain. Exercise provides protective effects to the brain through the production of nerve-protecting compounds, decreased cardiovascular disease, improved development, and survival of neurons (Mercola, 2012). When kinesthetic strategies are added to the classroom, students will be less likely to fall asleep and the brain can get the oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients it needs for optimal learning performance.
Improving Concentration While Refocusing the Brain
Most educators would admit that they have seen a significant decrease in children’s attention spans over the years. Developmental studies have found a positive link between physical activity and performance on concentration tests. Using movement in a learning environment helps improve focus and awareness for many learners. Active student engagement provides an alert state that holds students’ attention. As a result, educators can continue to teach with traditional methodologies for a slightly extended period of time while getting desirable results. Physical activity can also be used as a break from academics, and research has shown this to have a positive effect on attention spans as well (Bartholomew & Jowers, 2011; Grieco, Jowers, & Bartholomew, 2009). When students remain seated during instruction or when utilizing technology for extended periods of time, it is beneficial to allow them the opportunity to move their body as it feels comfortable and/or is necessary for them. Studies have shown that immediately after engaging in physical activity, children are better able to concentrate on classroom tasks, which can improve learning (Castelli et al., 2015). Kinesthetic teaching methodologies are realistic solutions that can help redirect wandering minds while improving students’ time on task.
Increasing Motivation While Differentiating
Motivation for learning is one of the most important factors for student achievement and success. Educational progress will be significantly limited if students are not motivated to learn (Basch, 2010). Active learning balanced with digital resources is a fun combination that can be individualized and can help provide this necessary influence. Physical activity and technology are both easy to differentiate in order to meet students’ needs, interests, and attractions. Adapting movements or physical activities often happens naturally. A student may need to move slower, choose a different position, or adjust their body to perform the task or skill. Many students are able to do this with little or no assistance from the teacher, all while receiving the benefits from the physical activity in the process. Implementing movement in the classroom may bring feelings of pride, accomplishment, and success. These feelings can easily produce intrinsic motivation along with a desire to move more. Kinesthetic teaching and learning in the classroom can provide motivation for additional reasons as well. These activities can be individualized, attainable, creative, relaxing, energizing, and unique. In turn, learning motivation will increase and continue as students feel confident and stimulated to learn at the same time.
Increasing Attendance While Decreasing Behavioral Challenges
When students enjoy school and they are healthy, attendance can increase as behavioral challenges decrease. Multiple studies and research confirm that there is a clear connection between health, learning, attendance, and selected behaviors. Some students just need to move. Employing active learning strategies provides an outlet. When teachers increase physical activity and movement in schools, students’ overall health, well-being, and energy levels will benefit. This may also lead to an increase in attendance because students will have the stamina to meet the physical demands of the school day. Below are some findings that support this link.
Engaging the Senses and Increasing Student Engagement
Sight, hearing, and touch—all elements potentially used in kinesthetic experiences and technologies—contribute most to our learning (Sousa, 2017). The more senses that are used in the learning process, the more likely the information will be retained and recalled at a later date. Traditional classrooms are consumed with writing, listening, reading, and seatwork—some with high digital usage, some without. These established skills are still valued in a learning environment, especially when partnered with technology. However, limiting the length of time students need to hold their attention to these tasks is an important consideration in all classrooms and school environments. Kinesthetic teaching techniques engage the learner and can be applied alongside traditional teaching methodologies, similarly to technology use. Increasing student engagement during instruction and delivering a multisensory experience by balancing movement and technology is an approach that will help teachers enhance student learning and peak performance.
Common Sense: As Strong as the Research
This chapter offers extensive research that supports the concept of using academic teaching methodologies to help students increase their academic success, brain function, health, and well-being. These studies are current, thorough, and plentiful. It is important to recognize the significance of the consistent evidence that validates the benefits of implementing lessons with kinesthetic learning and movement. However, what role does common sense play? Is it feasible to trust that when students are actively engaged in educational environments, they will perform better academically? Does it make sense that increasing oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients to the brain will enhance cognitive output? Is it logical to believe that having students move throughout the school day will develop their health, fitness, and overall well-being? Yes! What about the studies that have connected movement and physical activity to an increase in attendance and a decrease in behavioral challenges? Is it believable that healthier students will attend school more frequently? Can utilizing movement daily help to meet this objective? Can you agree that students who are physically active and enjoying their school day will behave better? The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes! The overflow of research presented in this chapter has colossal value; however, so does common sense. The bottom line is that when it comes to developing and enriching 21st-century learners, active learning simply fits our needs! As time passes, this chapter will fade and you may only recall the big picture