Movement and Learning

Professional literature shows a salient connection between movement and learning. It shows improvement in the acquisition of learning skills and internalizes the learned material when movement is used as part of the study method.

Movement in space, given in the right quantity and order, gives the child deep proprioceptive input, increases body awareness, and attention skills. Each child requires a different kind of movement to achieve his/her full learning potential. Some children will need certain stimulating movements to reach the optimal stimulated threshold for studying (circular motions with change in head positions). Other children might need linear movement and repetitions with deep pressure (joint compressions) to regulate their stimulation levels and moderate it.

Movement can be beneficial as a pre-learning activity, especially when it is combined as part of learning. Playing in space for ten minutes before learning can decrease the hyperactivity and excessive movement of the child thus allowing him or her to be more organized and controlled, and able to understand and absorb the material. A good example that you can see in the case described presents the use of Timocco’s virtual gaming environment as a pre-studying activity. After ten minutes of playing Timocco, the child’s behavior was more regulated and he displayed less hyperactivity when performing tabletop activities.

As mentioned above, movement can positively affect learning abilities and the ability to absorb the studied material. For instance, we can improve learning the directionality of ABC letters by moving the hands or body in space. In the same way, we can practice drawing shapes or numbers. Practicing perceptual abilities such as memory, visual perception, spatial perception, copying models and assembling puzzles will be enhanced when we combine it with motion based activities. These activities could include an obstacle course, weight bearing activities, figure eights and more. These activities can increase the chance that the child will internalize and use these abilities in other contexts.