Motor skills are more than just physical abilities—they’re essential tools that play a foundational role in academic achievement for children and adolescents. A recent systematic review highlights the strong connections between motor skills and academic achievement, providing valuable insights for occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, and parents. Gross and Fine Motor Skills: A Foundation for […]
Did you know that movement is essential for learning? It’s true! In fact, movement helps to stimulate the brain and promote better learning. That’s why it’s so important for children to get up and move around often. This free handout discusses the movement and learning connection in more detail. We’ll talk about how movement helps […]
The answer to the question, how does physical activity impact academic performance in children depends upon the level of physical activity and the subject area. For example, research tells us that the cognitive skills involved in memory and learning are improved by moderate to high levels of physical activity. Educators and parents are always focused on […]
Exercise improves health and physical, mental, and cognitive abilities. What if physical activity and learning could be done together? What if you could learn how to optimize learning through physical activity? Recent research on the impact of exercise on brain health shows that it can do just that. Many studies have demonstrated that increased physical […]
Movement breaks in the classroom and at home in the early years are so important for healthy child development. Not only do movement breaks increase daily physical activity time, they have also been shown to improve time on task, motor skills, social-emotional skills and academic skills. During the preschool years, movement breaks are easy to […]
Assigning classroom jobs for students is a wonderful way to encourage independence and to allow for functional movement breaks throughout the day. When students have to complete their classroom jobs, they are being responsible and usually getting in some physical activity and functional fine motor skill practice. All children benefit from physical activity throughout the […]
Movement and learning is critical to a student’s success. Check out this A to Z Action Words FREE printable poster to hang up in your classroom. Incorporate movement with any topic by referencing this fun freebie. You can download it for free at the bottom of the post. How Does the A to Z Action […]
Do your students need help for spelling, reading or fine motor skills? Did you know that gross motor exercises can help fine motor skills, reading, and spelling? Recent research took a close look at motor skills and academics for close to 100 students in the first grade. The researchers wanted to explore how gross motor […]
Children and adolescents spend an average of 6 and 8 hours per day, respectively, in sedentary behaviors, both during and outside of school. This sedentary time is increasing in children in recent years most likely due to a dramatic increase in screen time and increased academic rigor in the classrooms. Research indicates that physical activity […]
As we all know, this year is going to look very different for students at school or at home. Whether children are learning in person or remotely, there will be more sedentary time due to social distancing or increased computer learning. Students may get sluggish and will need alerting activities for the classroom or home. […]