Could getting schoolchildren to be more active in class encourage them to sit less and improve their learning experience? A new study hopes to find out.
Teachers are being encouraged to integrate movement into the teaching of normal lessons, which could not only enhance children’s engagement and enjoyment of learning, but also help make the school day less sedentary.
Researchers at three of our partner universities, Loughborough, Leicester and Nottingham, along with Victoria University (Australia) are working with Year 5 teachers and their pupils in seven Leicestershire schools on the CLASS PAL (Physically Active Learning) project to help them incorporate ‘physically active learning’ into their daily lessons.
The research is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East Midlands. This is a partnership of regional health services, universities and industry which turns research into cost-saving and high-quality public health initiatives.
Dr Lauren Sherar from Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine East Midlands is the lead investigator for the project. She said: “Schools have a unique opportunity to change the modern culture of sitting, by introducing active breaks and teaching through movement.
An early pilot was carried out in Leicestershire schools over the past year to understand how teachers can best implement active learning and movement breaks in class.
Mrs Sally Gambles from Great Bowden Academy in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, was one of the teachers whose class took part. She said: “Being part of the CLASS PAL project has been great. It has been really interesting to see how teaching through physical activities has impacted on the children’s learning.
CLASS PAL includes a training workshop with supporting online information and resources to help teachers introduce active learning into their classrooms.
Partners include the Youth Sport Trust and Affinity Teaching School Alliance.
Watch this fun animation video to help spread the message on the importance of physically active learning.