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Playful Minds in Motion: Explore Active Learning Psychology

Children’s movement and active leaning play has become more important in today’s digital world. As technology fascinates young playful minds, children must remain physically healthy and active. Parents, caregivers, and educators must realise the importance of children’s movement and outdoor play in promoting cognitive and physical development. We’ll look at active play, outdoor living, the benefits of range of motion exercises, and the psychology of active learning in children.

The Power of Children's Movement and Active Learning

Active learning and play is the foundation for children’s physical and mental development. Children’s activity benefits their physical health and plays an important part in their cognitive development. Active children are more likely to be physically and emotionally healthy. Encouraging children to engage in outdoor play and exploration can benefit their well-being.

It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires regular physical activity, and the same applies to children. Children who engage in physical activity are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight, have strong bones and muscles, and stay physically fit overall. Regular outdoor play is associated with improved cardiovascular health and a decreased lifetime risk of chronic illnesses in children.

Outdoor toys contribute significantly to children’s movement and active play. Bicycles, jump ropes, balls, and even basic things like hula hoops can help children be physically active while having fun. These activities promote tactile learning, which helps kids develop fine and gross motor skills, as well as balance and coordination.

Kids Outdoor play equipment and active learning

The Kinesthetic Learning Style

To completely comprehend the psychology of active learning in children, we must study the concept of kinesthetic learning style. Kinesthetic learners thrive when they can incorporate their bodies into the learning process. These students like hands-on activities because they are more likely to remember information when they can touch, feel, and manipulate objects.

Hands-on learning is a key component of active play for children. It enables kids to explore their environment, experiment with different items, and gain a greater understanding of the world around them. Hands-on learning, whether it’s building a sandcastle on the beach, playing with blocks, or digging in the garden, fosters curiosity and critical thinking.

The use of kinesthetic learning styles in preschool teaching is gaining popularity. Children can learn abstract concepts and develop their creativity through activities such as arts & crafts, block building, and dancing. Preschool educators may create a solid foundation for lifelong learning by fostering active play and hands-on learning.

The Benefits of Outdoor Play and Active Learning

  1. Vitamin D: Sunlight exposure during outdoor play helps children maintain healthy levels of vitamin D, essential for bone health and overall immune function.
  2. Sensory Development: Being outdoors allows children to engage all their senses, from the feel of grass underfoot to the sound of birds chirping. These sensory experiences stimulate brain development.
  3. Social Skills: Active play with peers in an outdoor setting fosters the development of social skills, including cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
  4. Stress Reduction: Outdoor play has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in children, contributing to better mental health.
  5. Creativity and Imagination: Natural settings encourage imaginative play and creativity, as children can transform sticks into swords, rocks into treasure, and trees into secret hideouts.

The Importance of Range of Motion Exercises

Exploring active learning and active play for growth and development

Range of motion exercises are crucial for maintaining flexibility and mobility in children. These exercises involve moving joints through their full range of motion, which is essential for healthy development and injury prevention.

Benefits of Range of Motion Exercises

  1. Flexibility: Range of motion exercises promote flexibility in joints, preventing stiffness and improving overall mobility.
  2. Muscle Development: Engaging in these exercises helps children build and strengthen their muscles, which is essential for physical health
  3. Injury Prevention: Maintaining a full range of motion reduces the risk of injury during physical activities and sports.
  4. Improved Posture: These exercises can contribute to better posture, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal issues in the future.
  5. Enhanced Coordination: Range of motion exercises enhance coordination and balance, improving overall physical performance.
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Tactile Learning: A Multisensory Approach

Tactile learning is an important part of active learning for children. It entails using the sense of touch to discover and comprehend the world. Tactile activities stimulate children’s senses and encourage cognitive development. These are some of the few examples that one can use to incorporate tactile learning.

  1. Sensory Bins: Fill bins with various textures, such as rice, sand, or water beads, and let children explore with their hands. This activity encourages sensory exploration and language development.
  2. Nature Walks: Take children on nature walks and encourage them to touch different surfaces, leaves, bark, and rocks. Discuss the textures and sensations they encounter.
  3. Art and Crafts: Engage children in tactile art projects using materials like clay, fabric, and textured paper. This allows them to create while exploring different textures.
  4. Cooking and Baking: Involve children in age-appropriate cooking and baking activities. Measuring ingredients, mixing, and kneading dough are all tactile experiences that teach valuable skills.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced world of today, it’s easy for kids to get captivated by screens and sedentary activities, but the value of movement, hands-on learning,,  outdoor living and active cannot be overstated. Activities that promote physical and cognitive development include kinesthetic learning, outdoor living, range-of-motion exercises, and tactile learning. Parents, caregivers, and educators, should take the responsibility to prioritize active play, offer opportunities for exploration, and encourage kids to use their senses to learn. By doing these things, we can guarantee that kids grow up physically and mentally strong, and that they’ll be curious and capable of handling challenges that might come their way.

A Guest Post by Heather Barnett

Author’s Bio: Heather, a mother and graduate in Sports Psychology from Griffith University is also a high school teacher specialising in Physical Education and senior Psychology.  Her passion for movement and activity stems for a childhood filled with activities including dance, gymnastics, netball, swimming and tennis.  

Her guest articles are enriched by her extensive knowledge and experience in the field.

Gym Academy Guest Blogger Heather Barnett - Sports Psychologist and Physical Education Teacher
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