Play and physical movement is a massive part of my day with 21 active boys in my kinder class! It works, we all learn and we all love it! The kinders love intensive academic learning but we do it in short, sharp snippets. The rest of the daily learning takes place through play and movement. We have a fabulous multi-sport program with yoga, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, dance, martial arts, football, games and other sports. This is structured movement time. However, there is also plenty of unstructured movement time as well, both inside and outside the classroom. Our time sitting on the floor as a group is limited and we are aware of when students have reached their limits. We then break away into active learning stations where there are choices of table and floor activities. The children are learning, but it is fun and a little noisy and the children are not stuck sitting at a desk for long periods of time. They complete an activity station and move onto something else.
I believe it is so unrealistic to expect young children to sit still and quietly for long periods of time! How can they be enthusiastic towards learning when they are bored and restricted and frowned upon for being verbal and energetic? I love it when the students in my class call out with answers or jump up with excitement to point something out about the discussion topic. Doesn’t that mean they are enthusiastic learners who are engaged in the topic being taught? I’m very lucky to be in a college that understands and supports play and movement to learn. Another place that understands the importance of this is Finland. I was very fortunate to attend an educational conference in Finland with Karen, Cameron and Marty in January. All colleges in Finland have 15 minutes of play, every hour of every college day! They also have roller, swivel and ball chairs and encourage regular movement whilst learning for those who need it. We learnt lots over there, but we were also very pleased to see how we are already quite aligned with some of the Finnish educational philosophies here at CCSC!
The article above inspired me to write my blog on the importance of play and movement to learn. I especially loved the quote that the article finishes with.
Hanscom reminds us of the stakes: “In order for children to learn, they need to be able to pay attention. In order for them to pay attention, we need to let them move.”
I say we should all learn to move and move to learn!!
Marilyn Scott says
Well said PETA.The children are encouraged to express themselves, not only at the desk but in play and experiencing life as it comes. This is by interaction with motor skills and social activities which nurture their growth along the way allowing them to experience life to the fullest.
This is a very healthy mix of learning and play encouraging their being able to reach their maximum potential easier and quicker because it is made FUN.
Congratulations to the college for embracing this proven model.