Learning through Movement and Play

If you have any boys in your family or extra active girls (I was one!) you know that they NEED to move. It’s how they learn! This is why I can’t bring myself to understand why there are preschools out there that aren’t “play-based” and why Kindergarten in the U.S has turned into so much more sit-down instruction than it used to be, but that conversation is for another time. Let’s talk about learning through movement, and why it matters! Physical activity plays a huge role in a child’s development.

“Research suggests that promoting movement and activity in young children can help increase memory, perception, language, attention, emotion and even decision-making. When language is combined with movement, learning increases by 90 percent. Movement has also been shown to help calm and promote alertness in infants.” (msu.edu)

In raising my own two boys, I’ve noticed that the easiest and fastest way they’ve been able to retain information is through playing games that require movement. It is also partly because of all the amazing benefits I have come across in my research.

Even more, when thinking about my own language learning journeys, one of which taking 4 years of French in high school and college, I can remember how incredibly hard my High School French teacher worked to teach us French through play and games. She didn’t try to teach us through textbooks, she created her own games probably staying up at all hours of the night cutting out little cards, and making little game pieces. It breaks my heart that teachers have to do these types of things on their own time to teach kids effectively, but my hope is that our society will soon wake up to the fact that our kids aren’t doing as well as we wish in school because they aren’t given enough opportunities to learn through play and movement (among other reasons :)

“Children acquire knowledge by acting and then reflecting on their experiences, but such opportunities are increasingly rare in school.”

-Lara N. Dotson-Renta

Here’s why movement and play matters:

It stimulates the brain: This isn’t a surprise I’m sure, but movement helps the brain feel excited and ready to take in new information. According to Stevens-Smith (2016a), children learn best when moving because it stimulates the neurons and electrical wiring in the brain. The part of the brain that processes movements and actions is the same part of the brain that is responsible for and processes learning. Because of this, when movement and cognitive development is combined, it increases the number of neurons being used, and over time, will allow them to become more efficient (Stevens-Smith, 2016b).

It supports the learning process: Vanessa Durand- pediatrician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philidelphia says, “Freedom of movement is necessary for children to meet their developmental milestones. Children learn by experiencing their world using all of their senses. The restriction of movement, especially at a young age, impedes the experiential learning process.”

Memory and movement are linked: Emily Cross-professor in the school of Psychology at Bangor University in the UK explains, “new neuroscience research shows that active learning where the learner is doing, moving, acting, and interacting can change the way the brain works and can accelerate kids’ learning process. While passive learning (mostly sitting) may be easier to administer, it doesn’t favor brain activity.” Movement also increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain’s hippocampus which is responsible for memory and learning.

Increases attention span: Many of us are aware that movement and exercise increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, and this means increases in attention span as well. Intentional movement, and mindfulness practices can even help combat core symptoms of ADHD in children (a very common diagnosis today).

Less play and mobility lead to an uptick in anxiety: Anxiety levels in children are at an all-time high right now, and I believe two huge reasons are lack of movement, play, and lack of time in nature. In the words of Peter Gray from Boston College “I argue that without play, young people fail to acquire the social and emotional skills necessary for healthy psychological development.” He claims unstructured, free play outdoors (or indoors for that matter) is declining greatly in the United States and other developed nations, and anxiety, depression, suicide, feelings of helplessness, and narcisissism have increased greatly at the same time. Kids cannot grow into healthy, successful adults without plenty of free unstructed play that isn’t dictated by adults.

“Play functions a the major means by which children (1) develop intrinsic interests and competencies; (2) learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules; (3) learn to regulate their emotions; (4) make friends and learn to get along with others as equals; and (5) experience joy.” -Peter Gray American Journal of Play 2011

To sum things up, unstructured play/movement + nature = healthy, happy kids!

My oldest in one of our favorite woodsy places:)