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The following was excerpted by PELINKS4U Editors from a longer
article by this title. Please click here to read the entire article as written by Jean.
What If?
What if one day someone walked into your gym and arrested you, saying
that you represented all physical educators nationwide. You are
being accused of:
- Not contributing to the learning process of the students
- Not contributing to elevating standardized test scores
- Allowing obesity among children to be at the highest percentage
ever and
- Teaching an enrichment subject that is expendable because it
is not required as part of the core academic subjects.
Your accusers are anyone who remembers having a bad experience
in Physical Education in their youth. Your jury is made up of decision-makers,
school board members, legislators and budget makers. The Judge is
the nation's major decision-maker for the choice of curriculum,
facilities, time allotment and class sizes.
What will be your argument in your defense?
- What will be your evidence?
- Where is your proof that exercise increases learning?
- Who will come to your defense?
- Who will be your witnesses?
- Who will represent you?
Take a moment to ponder the answer to these questions. This scenario
is a reality in many districts nationwide. Physical education programs
are being eliminated or reduced because of budget reductions or
the perceived need for increased time for academic core subjects
in order to raise test scores.
Recent brain research findings support the importance of daily
quality physical education. Educational experts, neuroscientists,
and respected brain research authors are advocating for our profession
based on scientific evidence that tells us how the brain works,
how the brain learns, and how movement, physical activity and exercise
prepare the body and brain for optimal learning.
What does the research suggest?
There is specific research, however, that supports daily quality
physical education and how increased physical activity can impact
student performance and elevate test scores...
...Students involved in sports generally have higher grades and
highest standardized test scores that those who don't participate
in sports. In 1990 in Texas, high school athletes scored 17% higher
than non-athletes on the ninth-grade Texas Assessment of Academic
Skills standardized test....
...Researchers James Pollatschek and Frank Hagen (1996) say, Children
who engage in daily physical education show superior motor fitness,
academic performance and attitude toward school as compared to their
counterparts who do not have physical education...
What happens when we exercise?
When humans exercise, the bodybrain goes into a homeostatic state,
balancing brain chemicals, hormones, electricity, and system functions.
When the bodybrain is out of balance because of poor nutrition and
lack of physical activity, the student is not in a good learning
state...
Aerobic fitness aids cognition
Researchers found that subjects who were the most aerobically fit
had the fastest cognitive responses, measured by reaction time,
the speed that subjects processed information, memory span, and
problem solving...
Cross lateral movement organizes brain functions
Crossing the midline integrates brain hemispheres to enable the
brain to organize itself. When students perform cross lateral activities,
blood flow is increased in all parts of the brain making it more
alert and energized for stronger, more cohesive learning...
...Most all of the activities we do in physical education cross
the midline and require coordination of body systems for mastery
at any level. Daily quality physical education then becomes essential
for optimum learning...
Exercise reduces stress
Exercise engages the emotions. Emotion drives attention which drives
learning (Sylwester)...Movement can foster self-discipline, improve
self-esteem, increase creativity, and enhance emotional expression
through social games (Jensen, 2001)...
Physical activity and proper diet improves behavior
There may be link between early motor development and violent behavior.
Infants deprived of stimulation from touch and physical activities
may not develop the movement pleasure link in the brain...
Movement can help reinforce academic skills for all students.
Eighty five percent of school age children are natural kinesthetic
learners (Hannaford). Sensory motor learning is innate in humans.
Teachers who incorporate kinesthetic teaching strategies reach a
greater percentage of the learners..
Recess/Play can increase attention
...Recess is being sacrificed for more academic time in the classroom,
limiting needed bright daylight exposure that effects the children's
optimum learning because of lack of rest...
The verdict: You are Central to the learning process
This is an exciting time to be a physical educator. Physical Education
is central to the learning process of each and every child. Brain
research is validating our profession. Because we know more about
how the brain learns, we can better teach our students. You are
the answer. You are not just a PE teacher. You are the most brain
compatible professional on the campus. Be proud. Be informed. We
teach children, not content and the health and learning of our students
is our number one priority.
Jean Blaydes Madigan Neurokinesiologist/Consultant/M. Ed
To read the complete article click here.
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