If you walk into a classroom today, the chances are, it will look very different to a classroom twenty years ago. In the last few decades alone, a number of studies have been released that introduce a different edge to teaching. While a classroom may have been full of sitting students in the 1990s, for instance, in 2024, it might be full of children partaking in physical activity.
This isn’t just down to new technology. Take interactive projectors, for instance, which have certainly changed the way in which students undertake education-based challenges. Games like ‘Brain Challenge’, ‘Bridge It’, and ‘Math’ have been particular revelations. The key reason more and more schools are introducing them is due to the numerous reports noting the beneficial nature of physical activity in the classroom. We’re going to look into these benefits now.
Enhancing Cognitive Function
The first thing to note is that physical activity greatly increases blood flow, which results in more oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain. Even light exercises like playing ‘Math’ on an interactive projection wall can activate neurotransmitters, working to boost alertness and bolster concentration, which subsequently makes it easier for students to engage with lessons and actually absorb information.
Improving Academic Performance
Reports have also proved that there’s a direct connection between physical activity and improved academic performance. In 2021, for instance, a study into classroom movement breaks demonstrated that there were significantly higher levels of alertness in classes when movement breaks were added into the mix, with the most alert classrooms implementing 60 minutes worth of movement breaks a day. As mentioned before, of course, physical activity helps develop executive functions – skills like organising, planning, and goal setting – which are essential for academic tasks that need to be approached with high energy.
Reducing Stress
Another key reason why physical activity is so important is its ability to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety. In classrooms of ages thirteen through eighteen, specifically, high anxiety has become a real problem, with over 55% of students admitting to feeling stressed ‘almost every day’ in a recent study. With physical activity, the body can naturally release endorphins, which are essentially ‘feel good’ chemicals. Activities like yoga stretches, breathing exercises, or even a quick game on the interactive projectors mentioned earlier can help to release tension and lower stress and anxiety levels.
Boosting Physical Health
It’s also worth noting that physical activity will support physical health and combat a more sedentary lifestyle. In 2024, especially, children are being increasingly exposed to sedentary habits, which can contribute to health issues including cardiovascular problems, obesity, and even reduced metabolic health.
By incorporating physical activity into the classroom, teachers are recognising how long children are sitting down, and encouraging them to stay active and fight against any health-associated risks.
Working on Emotional Skills
Lastly, group physical activities can offer a chance for students to develop their social skills, such as cooperation, empathy, and communication. By working together on activities like team games, partner stretches, or group balance exercises, children will foster positive social interactions and build upon their emotional skills in a way they couldn’t in a ‘traditional classroom setting’. In learning these skills, students can then better equip themselves to navigate social situations later in life, both in school and beyond.
Conclusion
Introducing physical activity into the classroom has proven to be an excellent decision for both teachers and students. Besides simplifying the educational process, such activities have a positive impact on the students’ emotional health. With the right tools and equipment, exercising can be fun, exciting, and highly efficient for everyone involved.
