Get Up and Move!
Does Exercise Affect Cognition?
Studies show that exercising affects cognition. People who are more active have better cognitive function and usually end up leading longer fulfilling lives. A recent study amongst school children showed that children who were put on a jogging schedule 30 minutes a day 2-3 times per week showed improvement in cognitive function when compared to pre-jogging levels.
What does this mean for teachers and schools?
Recently Connecticut has made a law which requires teachers to take children out for recess but it does not spell out what children should be doing during their recess time. Most classes have physical education once a week to encourage activity. But is once a week enough? When I was student teaching in New York state the children had physical education four times a week! I say if studies show that exercise can contribute to brain function, and for our own health, let's get up and move!
What are the obstacles?
Any plan has its obstacles. With the pressure of academic success there often is little time for “extras” and recess tends to be one of the things that gets left by the wayside. Teachers often feel the pressure to get more accomplished each school day and, speaking from experience, it's hard to get everything into each day. However, I do feel it is important to encourage our students to be active to make their bodies healthy and to increase brain power. Sometimes there isn't enough time but I try to take my students outside at least 3 times per week. There they can run and play on the playground and feel the relief of being a kid and get a break from the academics for 20-30 minutes.
References:
Medina, J., (2008). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/education/14recess.html
Studies show that exercising affects cognition. People who are more active have better cognitive function and usually end up leading longer fulfilling lives. A recent study amongst school children showed that children who were put on a jogging schedule 30 minutes a day 2-3 times per week showed improvement in cognitive function when compared to pre-jogging levels.
What does this mean for teachers and schools?
Recently Connecticut has made a law which requires teachers to take children out for recess but it does not spell out what children should be doing during their recess time. Most classes have physical education once a week to encourage activity. But is once a week enough? When I was student teaching in New York state the children had physical education four times a week! I say if studies show that exercise can contribute to brain function, and for our own health, let's get up and move!
What are the obstacles?
Any plan has its obstacles. With the pressure of academic success there often is little time for “extras” and recess tends to be one of the things that gets left by the wayside. Teachers often feel the pressure to get more accomplished each school day and, speaking from experience, it's hard to get everything into each day. However, I do feel it is important to encourage our students to be active to make their bodies healthy and to increase brain power. Sometimes there isn't enough time but I try to take my students outside at least 3 times per week. There they can run and play on the playground and feel the relief of being a kid and get a break from the academics for 20-30 minutes.
References:
Medina, J., (2008). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/education/14recess.html
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