Recent research shows that children in schools benefit from physical activity. Moving their muscles around helps kids to concentrate in school and throughout their busy lives. For many children, it is too hard to stay in the same classroom and desk for long periods of time. Programs are being set up in many schools and districts to promote movement during the day, even when academics do not leave much time for them.
Physical therapists are no longer simply working with students after they are injured or catching up developmentally. These days, many physical therapists are starting to work with schools by sharing their knowledge of movement systems. The human movement system is a group of organ systems that interact to produce movement for the body and parts. This incorporates their knowledge of physical movement involving the human musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Research has found that when the movement systems are controlled and working well, kids may experience fewer injuries, aches, pains, and enjoy better overall health and wellness.
When a child is distracted by pain from sitting for too long, they will not be able to learn and do as well within a classroom. Still other students may be in pain because of movement problems that keep their focus off their studies. The good news is that working on movement systems can benefit everyone in the classroom. Children with anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and other similar issues benefit from activity because it allows them to release energy. This makes them feel better so they can focus more.
Physical therapists may work with individual classroom teachers and other therapy professionals to incorporate movement activities. These may be done by individuals or entire classrooms of students. Some elementary schools are creating boxes with items in them to help children to promote movement within their classrooms. Come up with teams in your schools to see what equipment and resources would work best. Consider space restraints, ages of students, and time limits. Once objects are obtained, arrange times to work with adults and children in the room to go over how to use everything properly.
If this cannot be accomplished because of budgetary constraints, you can research grants that may be available. This could also be a nice school project that PTA or similar groups may be willing to fund. Fundraisers could be done by the entire school to make it a community effort that will be beneficial for all within the school.