Movement-based education is more than just a trend; it's a paradigm shift that can unlock the full range of a human’s potential. By acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between the healthy mind in a healthy body, teachers can create dynamic and stimulating learning experiences that prepare students not only for academic success, but also for a fulfilling and balanced life. Embracing education through movement is a significant step towards nurturing resilient, creative and engaged children who are ready to face the challenges of the future.

Traditional boundaries of education are constantly expanding, leading to a rapid rise in innovative teaching and learning approaches. One transformative concept that is gaining more and more attention is education through movement – an approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the mind and body and advocates for the integration of physical activity into the learning process.

As announced and elaborated on in a previous article, European School Sport Day in 2024 will shine the spotlight on the focus topic “Education through Movement” to familiarise teachers with classroom-based physical activity (PA), encouraging teachers to try out this teaching method, which could become the basis for integrating active learning methods into their daily work in the long term.

Why? You may ask.

Because classroom-based PA helps to break up the traditional school day and reduce inactive behaviour (as children usually need to sit through 40-45 minute lessons 6-7 times a day). Research also indicates that PA has a positive impact on cognitive functioning. Movement stimulates the grey matter in our skulls, enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. By introducing movement into lessons, teachers can create an environment that activates various parts of the brain, optimising the learning and memory process.

That’s why.

Because of the above-mentioned reasons, the WHO draws attention to the fact that “Doing some physical activity is better than doing none”. In most countries, children spend most of their time awake at school, so schools have a unique responsibility to ensure that children have plenty of opportunities to be active during this time. According to some recommendations, schools should help young people meet at least 50% of the suggested (60 minute) daily amount PA during the school day. This recommended amount of activity cannot be achieved in school through PE classes alone, as:

• on the one hand, daily PE classes are not common in most countries and,
• on the other hand, the scientific literature suggests that even with well-organised PE lessons, only about the half of the lesson is spent on active movement at moderate-vigorous intensity (McKenzie et al, 2003).

Outside PE lessons, there are also multiple opportunities for children to be physically active in the school over the course of the school week. One of these opportunities is the classroom-based PA, carried out during regular class time, which can occur either inside or outside of the classroom. This involves classroom teachers incorporating PA into class time through either integrating PA into lessons (physically active lessons), or adding short bursts of PA to curriculum content (curriculum focused active breaks) or as regular pauses from class work (active breaks) (Watson et al., 2017). 

Both physically active lessons (the integration of PA into lessons in key learning areas other than PE, e.g., mathematics) and curriculum-focused active breaks (which means short bouts of PA that include curriculum content) can be effective ways of education through movement.

Unlike traditional teaching methods, that often focus solely on cognitive skills, education through movement emphasises a holistic development. Multisensory learning and linking knowledge to movement creates an experiential, varied learning environment that helps to capture and maintain attention whilst enhancing learning efficiency and also helping to reduce sedentary behaviour in school-aged children.

European School Sport Day is more than a one-day celebration; it's an initiative that has turned into a long-standing movement which transcends borders, fostering a sense of togetherness and promoting the well-being of future generations. As we witness the millions of students across the European continent (and beyond) engaging in physical activities for the same occasion, and that is ESSD, we must admit that it plays a crucial role in introducing and strengthening healthy habits that can last a lifetime. The event is not only about fun, but also serves as a platform for educational innovation, encouraging schools to explore creative ways to incorporate PA into their curricula. It highlights the importance of a holistic approach to education: one that recognises the symbiotic relationship between physical and mental well-being.

References:

• McKenzie, T. L., Li, D., Derby, C. A., Webber, L. S., Luepker, R. V., & Cribb, P. (2003). Maintenance of effects of the CATCH physical education program: results from the CATCH-ON study. Health Education & Behavior, 30(4), 447-462
• Watson, A., Timperio, A., Brown, H., Best, K., & Hesketh, K. D. (2017). Effect of classroom-based physical activity interventions on academic and physical activity outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 1-24.