Integrating Movement into Learning in Active Classrooms [Podcast Series]
[:55] Dr. Bantham introduces her guest, Dr. Rebecca Hasson
Dr. Rebecca Hasson is Director of the Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory at University of Michigan
[1:07] Motivation to work with kids
“So while working with adults is great, working with children is even more impactful because we can reach them at a very young age when physical activity habits are being formed. And we can help to give them a passion and a lifestyle for moving more throughout the day that can hopefully carry into adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and all the way until they are senior citizens.”
[3:30] Giving children equitable opportunities to move throughout the day
“And so, we have been again for about the last five years been trying to close the gap in what schools aspire to do and what they're actually doing so that kids have an equitable opportunity to move throughout the day. And then we can supplement that with home activities and community based programs, but really focusing on zeroing in on that classroom, that school environment.”
[8:05] Setting up active classrooms
“Active classrooms can take on many forms. What we do is just help teachers think about how to create that ecosystem of a classroom that makes it conducive for physical activity. Thinking about classroom management, thinking about the space, thinking about how to motivate their students so that they get the outcomes that they're looking for, so that the investment in activity is worth the time and you are getting, reaping the benefits of improved student behavior, improved focus and attention. And eventually as fitness improves, improved academic achievement.”
[13:59] Partnering with schools
“But all teachers recognize right now after students were sitting at home for two years trying to learn successfully but in some cases unsuccessfully, virtual, in a virtual environment, that students need help with their behavior management, managing their emotions, managing their behavior. And fortunately with exercise, almost any outcome you can think of, exercise, movement, physical activity can be a part of that solution.”
[19:23] Implementing school wide initiatives
“The teacher said it was hard for them just as individual teachers to do it if it was not a school wide initiative, because you really need to get the whole school connected around physical activity. And you need to get the whole school excited about recognizing that a whole child is important.”
[25:19] Replicating success
“So if I had to sum it up in just a couple of words, I would say, knowing the need, then providing the why for why your program meets that need, and then also giving them the tools and support for the how, how do we actually work together to solve the problem using the product of physical activity?”
