Most classrooms have at least one impulsive student and records show that some classes have more than one. These impulsive children are frequently in trouble and display sincere regret for their actions… repeatedly. When teaching, educators wondered, “Will they ever learn?”
They are the challenges of today’s breed of educators. One cannot actually point out the mistake of students by any manner the educator desires, for we will never know how deep the damage can be. Educators are mediators. They always strive for democracy and peaceful processes. Diversion or Physical Activities can solve this existing hurdle.
A new study suggests that a simple solution for the impulsive child is physical activity. The research also found a link between neurocognitive functions relating to eating behaviors and exercise. In other words, physical activity in school has a positiveinfluence on impulsive eating and actions.
Physical Activity is like Medicine
According to SPARK author, John Ratey, MD we should “think of exercise as medication.” We know that exercise helps with executive functions like sequencing, memory, and prioritizing which contribute to necessary skills for success in school and life. Put simply, physical activity in school primes the brain for learning.
Another familiar refrain from some students is “why try? I already know I can’t do it.” The defeatist attitude or inability to push past previous failures is prevalent in far too many students.
Physical activity in school is a remedy for that too. Physical activity produces endorphins (chemicals in the brain) that regulate mood, pleasure and pain. An elevated mood can contribute to an “I can do it” attitude which goes a long way as students approach new tasks as challenges not obstacles.
Physical Education & Physical Activity in Schools
School physical education programs offer students the opportunity to not only be physically active today but the opportunity to teach skills and behaviors conducive to maintaining physical activity for a lifetime.Students spend over half of their day in school. Physical education should teach them how to integrate physical activity into their day both now and later in life.
Sports as Physical Activity
Elementary students who play sports are more likely to become active teens who, in turn, are more likely to be active adults. And being active, according to the World Health Organization, is one of the most important ways to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a range of other debilitating ailments.
Not only do healthy people enjoy a higher quality of life, but the economy benefits from costs savings and productivity gains associated with workplace wellness. School sports and intramurals also have an important role in keeping children active at school.
Schools Play a Unique Role in Physical Activity Opportunities
Schools represent an advantageous opportunity to promote physical activity in children. Literally they have a “captured audience.” The ability to carve out time for physical activity whether it be recess, physical education or sports is unique to schools alone. Since nearly 50 million students attend school is there a better place to begin to engage children in daily physical activity?
One of the best reasons for adding physical activity to children’s daily routine was documented by the America Heart Association…
“Effective efforts made now will help children avoid a lifetime of chronic disease and disability.”
Learning is not just for the mind alone. It is a holistic approach that ensures that every part of the body is educated. Theories, knowledge, formulas, philosophies, and policies will always be beneficial to the young learners of today, however, as educators we should not compromise the psychomotor skills that students should learn from the school.
Through physical activities and physical education, students learn to mingle, participate, and contribute to the well being of others. In the whole duration of the time the students stayed in the schools, give time for them to Move. Move their energies towards proper utilization. Move their strategies to ensure success. Move their techniques to enhance their potentials, it is only by allowing them to sweat that they get to value Learning, as sometimes, most of the times, is like any other physical activities in school, tiring yet worthwhile.
By: Aileen L. Lumaban | Teacher III | Limay Nationahl High School | Limay, Bataan
