Integrating Classroom Activities for Healthy Learning: The Mind-Body Connection

Schools could do more than any other single institution in society to help young people, and the adults they will become, live healthier, longer, more satisfying, and more productive lives (Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 2007). The elimination of daily physical education or recess in schools may contribute to the rise in childhood obesity rates. But competition from attractive sedentary activities such as television, video/DVD, computer games, and internet may decrease even an interest in physical activity. Integrating simple, short and educational activities that get children moving and learning at the same time can be easy to facilitate with a little extra planning. Students with higher fitness levels may have higher grades, especially in math (Vail, 2006). Free websites like Active Energizers for the Classroom and Active Academics provide 10-minute activities to go with classroom subjects. The website Brain Pop has a small cost, but provides activities linked to specific content standards for math, language arts, science, social studies, health, and technology. Activity Energizers for Classroom are short activity lessons for classroom subjects and can be downloaded for free. Active Academics are 10-minute activities that add movement to a lesson. The TAKE 10! Program also has a small fee for the curriculum, but is an excellent source for classroom-based physical activities for kindergarten to fifth grade students. Schools can provide opportunities for integrated physical activities within the classroom environment, and can help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for maintaining a physically active lifestyle.