Infusing Physical Activities Into the Classroom: Effects on Preschool Children's Geography Learning

• Published in: Mind, brain and education brain and education, 2016-12, Vol.10 (4), p.256-263
• Main Authors: Mavilidi, Myrto-Foteini, Okely, Anthony D., Chandler, Paul, Paas, Fred
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Child Care Centers; Children; Children & youth; Control Groups; Geography; Geography Instruction; Intervention; Learning; Learning Processes; Naming; Physical Activities; Physical activity; Preschool Children; Retention (Psychology); Task Analysis; Teaching Methods; Tests; Toys
• ISSN: 1751-2271; 1751-228X
• DOI: 10.1111/mbe.12131

ABSTRACT In this intervention study, we investigated the effects of physical activities that were integrated into a geography task on preschool children's learning performance and enjoyment. Eight childcare centers with 87 four‐to‐five‐year‐old children were randomly assigned across an integrated physical activity condition, an unintegrated physical activity condition, and a control condition without physical activity. Children learned the names and a typical animal from each of the six continents using a floor‐mounted world map with soft toy animals. Both learning conditions with physical activities showed higher performance than the learning condition without physical activities on an immediate retention test, and on a delayed retention test administered five weeks later. In addition, children in the physical activity conditions (integrated and nonintegrated) enjoyed their learning method the most. Infusing task‐relevant physical activities into the classroom and the learning task is discussed as a promising way to improve children's learning, enjoyment, and health.