Читать книгу The Movement and Technology Balance - Traci Lengel - Страница 22

Jean Moize, cocreator of Action Based Learning and expert in the field of kinesthetic teaching, has spent her career examining the benefits of movement on the learning process and the deterioration of physical activity in our society. She describes our culture as engaging in “sitness” as opposed to fitness as we have done in the past (ACHPER National, 2011). Are we currently breeding a generation that sits for most of their waking hours? Many people would agree with Moize in that our younger generation is leading inactive lifestyles. How we address these concerns is a fundamental matter for educators. In Chapter 2, we will explore the power of movement in our classrooms and our society. There is extensive research that links fitness to academic achievement and performance. This information is supportive and convincing in that education must embrace active teaching methodologies in an effort to revert our society back to one that produces physically active children that are fit and healthy.

Ponder how children spend their time after school hours. Are they outside playing sports and physical games with their peers, as many of their parents did when they were children? Many youngsters are watching television, playing video games, and interacting on social media for countless hours. Therefore, a large percentage of our children are participating in activities that result in sitting and stationary movements. These choices have a negative impact on the health and fitness levels of our youngsters. Parents are frustrated and, in many instances, do not know how to motivate their children to become active and curious movers. A pattern has developed, and now we can create strategies that reverse this direction to bring our children from “sitness” back to fitness.

Does it surprise you that research provides evidence that physically fit students perform better academically? Teachers are often able to make the connection among the physical, mental/emotional, and cognitive benefits that will naturally result from engaging in regular physical activity. As discussed previously in this chapter, we used to be a society of movers. This basic human need is still within our children. Behaviors and habits can be reformed through purposeful, effective agendas. However, we can no longer sit back and be bystanders in this societal shift. We must become agents of change.