Get moving in the class

Integrating movement can support student learning. The developing brain is very responsive to physical activity. It fires physiological responses in the brain that are linked to improved cognitive processing, control, planning concentration, attention reasoning and on task behaviour. It can also create a positive enjoyable environment which engages students better.

Grant Schofield Nutrition and Health Advisor shares his thoughts and learnings about young people and physical activity.

During the lockdown, young people will have possibly spent less time sitting in a classroom type situation so involving movement may be a valuable tool to support motivation and re-establish routines. It reflects a holistic view of supporting young people’s learning – here are a few activities to get kids moving in the classroom and beyond! (PDF 504KB)

Take time for play

Young people love and have a need to play. It is a simple joy that is a cherished part of our young people’s lives.

Play is a child led unstructured activity that is so important in this time of change as it is a child’s way of understanding the world around them. It helps young people develop the tools they need to be resilient, confident and face future challenges, which is timelier than ever at present.

It may be valuable as a staff to have a conversation about how best we ‘enable’ play for all our students as school restarts and if we need additional strategies or tools to encourage play and also what we may need to think about when designing spaces for children’s play.

Here are a couple of examples to promote creative thinking through play.

Keep the recreation rolling

During lockdown, we saw an increase in people involved in recreation and more unstructured physical activities. It’s a great time to take advantage in learning from that - Talk to young people about what they enjoyed and did during this time and then involve them in designing opportunities to keep this going.
 
Some ideas and case studies to support can be found here.

Sport that supports wellbeing  

During lockdown, one of the main activities young people missed was their sporting participation. As sport starts to restart – we have a chance to reflect on what really makes a quality experience in school sport.  In talking to young people who play sport, their big message to adults is that socialising, being with friends and having fun is one of their main reasons for doing so.

We need to ensure we can create experiences and opportunities – whether informal or structured - that are fun and meet their needs, so sport is part of encouraging a lifelong love of physical activity and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our tamariki and rangatahi. 
Here’s some great ideas and examples to support you in doing this:

• Balance is Better
• Games tournament promotes pride, confidence and tikanga

Physical education

Some great resources to help get physical education back in full swing, especially focussed around developing Wellbeing in through and about movement can be found here.