Most school staff are already aware of the physical benefits of exercise, such as strengthening of the heart and lungs, preventing weight gain, healthy bones, good posture and more. However, many are not aware of the potential brain-boosting benefits of physical activity with regard to school performance. How does physical development affect learning? What does […]
10 Physical Activities to Get the Brain Reading for Testing Research has shown that there are positive benefits for the brain from physical activity including academic achievement on test scores. With common core and state tests coming up, here are 10 physical activity suggestions to get the brain ready for testing or for brain breaks […]
Pediatrics published research on the academic benefits of physical activity during lessons. To study the effects of a physically active academic intervention on the academic achievement of children, 499 second and third graders were randomly assigned to the intervention group (physically active lessons for 2 years, 22 weeks per year, 3 times a week) or […]
Do you ever feel like your students have “fidgety child syndrome”? Of course that is not a real diagnosis, but if you walk into any classroom, you will most likely observe students who fidget, wiggle, and just simple can’t sit still. You might even see one or two who are moving non-stop. Perhaps they rock […]
Did you know that physical exercise for brain development in youth is beneficial? Most likely, you would answer yes and you probably were well aware of this. A recent study decided to take a closer look following neuroimaging techniques, to determine the effects of physical activity on brain structure and function in youth. Study on […]
Research indicates that children benefit from when teachers incorporate movement and learning. Here at Your Therapy Source, we focus on creating ready to go activities to encourage physical activity, balance, coordination, fine motor skills, locomotor skills AND cognitive skills. Research has shown that 5-20 minute movement breaks in the classroom can positively affect the following: […]
5 Strategies to Support Gross Motor Skills in the Classroom Embedding motor skill activities into the preschool classroom is so important to help children develop postural control, locomotor skills, and coordination skills. When children are able to maintain an upright posture, participate in physical activities and demonstrate eye-hand coordination skills, it is beneficial for functional learning in school. […]
Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course – Movement and Learning Did you know research has shown that 5-20 minute movement breaks can positively many aspects of learning? This sidewalk chalk obstacle course includes aerobic activity, balance skills, proprioceptive input, outdoor time and academic concepts! It is super easy to set up. How to Create the Sidewalk Chalk […]
Integrating Physical Activity to Facilitate Learning – Evidence-Based Research Research indicates that integrating physical activity to facilitate learning is beneficial in the classroom environment. Two recent studies were performed with preschool students to compare lessons with physical activity and without physical activity. One study included 90 preschool-aged children who were randomly assigned to an integrated physical activity condition […]
Beanbag Alphabet Fun: Beanbags are a wonderful tool to encourage physical activity, body awareness, motor planning and coordination skills in children. They are inexpensive or you can even make them yourself with socks and some rice. So grab a beanbag for each child and try moving through the alphabet with your beanbag. You can download […]