We’ve chosen the more arduous path, prioritizing stillness over movement, equating it with learning. This paradoxical approach is a testament to our collective misunderstanding of the learning process. We decry a lack of scientific rigor, yet willingly defy the very science we espouse.
Karyn Purvis’s insightful observation, “It takes approximately 10 to 20 repetitions for a synapse to make a connection through a child’s active movement, compared to at least 400 repetitions when they sit still,” lays bare a fundamental truth often overlooked in modern education.
Our brains are intrinsically wired for movement. Every sensory experience, every physical interaction—be it a touch, a sound, or a scent—stimulates neural connections. Nature, our ultimate teacher, challenges us to explore, to adventure, to learn through direct experience.
We yearn for our children to excel academically, to achieve straight As. But in our relentless pursuit of academic achievement, we often neglect the fundamental building blocks of learning: neural connections. A car cannot journey without a well-paved highway. Similarly, a mind cannot learn without strong neural networks.
It’s time to embrace a new paradigm, one that trusts the power of movement. Let’s liberate our children’s minds from the confines of traditional education, where they are often caged in classrooms for hours on end. Let’s foster a learning environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and physical activity. Are we ready to break the chains of caged minds and unlock the true potential of our children?
By prioritizing movement, we can create a generation of learners who are not only academically proficient but also emotionally intelligent, physically healthy, and deeply engaged with the world around them.
T.Ina (MEd Psy)