Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Introduction to My Blog
The purpose of this blog is to research the connection between movement and learning in the early education classroom. I am especially excited to discover what research on brain development has to say about young children's need to move and play as they learn. It is my belief that too often children become disengaged in learning environments that do not meet their need for physical movement and that this disengagement can have a negative impact on both their learning and their developing attitudes about school. I hope that this research will lead me to incorporate more effective engagement strategies in my classroom that will improve the learning of my Kindergarten students as well as help them develop a positive outlook about their school experience.
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Jessica, as a middle school teacher, I see the need for my students to get up and move every day! I agree that it has a huge connection to their ability to stay engaged. I'm curious about what you'll find connecting movement and brain development. Your students are lucky to have you. You're aware of their needs and therefore helping to get their school experience off to a good start at such a young, impressionable age!
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment Casey. I do think incorporating movement can be a powerful engagement tool at all levels. It's simply not natural for people of any age to sit and listen for long periods of time. I'm glad that you recognize this importance with your students. I have had a hard time finding research specifically on movement and the brain, but I'll keep looking. However, I have found promising research on the effect of movement-oriented "brain breaks" on improving positive learning behaviors in the classroom. It's exciting stuff! Check out GoNoodle.com for free movement-based "brain breaks" for your classroom.
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