From Spence Rogers to Dr. Mel Levine, the Association wants to insure its members that the best avenues about brain research are being pursued. This issue of the TLC will discuss the importance of movement as it relates to learning as well as a number of practical strategies that can be used immediately in the classroom and beyond. We will also list a number of references that members can use to further their study of movement and the brain. According to Eric Jensen, play and movement enhances brain connections and makes learning other subjects and skills that much easier. Research in the areas of movement and learning has been supported by a number of scientists and educators.
Movement increases heart rate and circulation, which in turn enhances educational arousal.
Increased arousal tends to narrow attention to targeted tasks. Stretching is an activity that increases oxygen to key brain areas, which increases this arousal. Activity enhances spatial learning. Since much of learning is relative to where you are when you learn something, it is possible for new scenery to positively influence recall. Allowing students to move to different parts of the room gives the same effect.