Movement Education is an approach to teaching physical education that involves problem solving, guided-discovery and exploring methods with the effect of individualizing learning. This method applies coordinated and rhythmical body movements in learning situations. Movement Education is a newer approach to teaching that originates from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. Throughout this paper the concepts created by Rudolf Laban will be discussed along with the different methods of teaching involved in Movement Education as well as the movement analysis wheel. Also being explained will be the benefits of Movement Education and its ability to combat childhood obesity.
Created by Rudolf Laban, the Laban Movement Analysis is comprised of four main categories: body, space, effort and relationships as the main concepts. All of which are involved in Movement Education and a popular tool for dancers, actors, musicians, athletes and physical therapists. The category of “body” describes the physical and structural characteristics of the human body while in movement. This explains which parts of the body are moving, which are connected and are influenced by others. Laban then describes space, which involves motion in connection with the environment. Also referred to the as the “space” in which the body moves. Effort or quality of body movement is a system for deciphering how movement is done with respect to inner intention. Lastly is the concept of relationships amongst body parts, individuals, groups and objects. Each of these concepts coordinate with the movement analysis wheel.
Movement Education was originally based on the movement analysis wheel, which has been modified over the years. The three activities that form the cor...
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The Australian curriculum assessment and reporting authority (ACARA) contains high morals for valuing movement in the health and physical curriculum. Valuing movement is the third of the five propositions to deliver this commitment in the ACARA curriculum. Learning objectives have been situated to increase the participation of children in physical activity. It is to encourage ongoing participation throughout one’s life. Valuing movement focuses on students developing movement skills with confidence and competence. The Australian curriculum and reporting authorities, (2013) allows opportunities for students to enhance a range of social and personal skills, through chal...
"Physical Education." NASBE Center for Safe and Healthy Schools. National Association of State Boards of Education, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
... physical education (J. Sproule, Ed.). Retrieved February 25, 2014, from Sage Journal website: http://epe.sagepub.com/content/11/3/257.short#cited-by
While comparing the textbook statement to the National Standards, standards 2 and 3 recognize the need for students to exhibit knowledge of various physical activity skills that will drive and motivate students to lead active lives. Standard 2 specifically addresses students applying knowledge and tactics related to movement skills. SHAPE America echoes
Through the performance of physical activity in children there is a continued positive effect on the motor development and further refinement of actions. During this developmental stage, it ...
Patterson, Marilyn Nikimaa. Every Body Can Learn: Engaging the Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence in the Everyday Classroom. Tucson, AZ: Zephyr Press, 1997.
One of the biggest problems we currently face as a society is obesity. People all over the nation question why we are having this problem and who is responsible. Who do we turn to to educate our society so that we may address this problem the correct way? The answer: healthy eating habits and exercising should be taught early in a child's life. An excellent place to build these fitness foundations is where children spend almost a third of their time: at school. Physical education should be available for all kindergarten through twelfth-grade students in order to tackle the problems of obesity.
Physical activity enhances children’s quantitative development within middle childhood, supporting growth toward healthy strong people, physically and psychology. Middle childhood is documented as being between the ages of six to ten years old. A lack of physical activity affects children across all areas of development; it is not restricted within the domain of physical development. Discussed within are the expectations of motor development within middle childhood, the benefits of physical activity and the consequences of prolonged inactivity. Along with how a student’s physical development facilitates or restricts development in other areas and how the learning environment can accommodate and support the physical needs of students.
Whitman, Nate. "Physical Activity in Schools Is Essential to Reversing Childhood Obesity." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 03 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Movement is one of the most highly debated topics among teachers today, as every individual has his/her own opinions in their teaching philosophy. Teachers must get around barriers caused by the high priorities of standardized testing and low effort to include movement in their classroom; therefore, it puts too much stress on the general education teachers. There are insufficient amounts of space to complete activities requiring movement when in a classroom; therefore, the teachers are incapable of safely navigating students around the room. Some students will refuse to participate in different physical activities, causing frustration when teachers are trying to plan full class activities, and this takes away from academic instruction. It is often that educators exclude these physical activities from the classroom due to stress that is put on the schools to perform higher academically; however, studies show exercise may be a large factor in the student’s performance. There are so many ways to incorporate movement into the lessons that increase the students’ academic achievements while motivating them. As space is limited in the classroom, during the warmer months, teachers can use the outdoors as an engaging experience to refresh the students’ minds and prepare them for new lessons. Physical activities can also be used to reinforce information that was previously taught during lessons to increase the student’s knowledge of the topic. Opinions vary from one person to another, but there is only one way to find the effects that exercise has on the student’s abilities. Physical activity should be incorporated into the classroom because it promotes cognition and academic achievement, improves student behavior and attitud...
Physical education exists in schools to help students perform physical activity in schools and promote healthy lifestyles. It is extremely important that physical education teachers promote physical activity and healthy diets to young students because they are the ones who will be at risk of developing health issues such as obesity. Physical educators need to teach the younger generation the proper way to stay healthy so that they will continue to be physically active outside of phys...
Over the past decades our culture has changes dramatically. To which our nation was once a physically active nation. Yet now it seems that society discourages physical activity. The human race has been dependent on automobiles, discouraging people to walk or bike, increasing the chance of a poor life-style. Yet there are many factors that affect the achievement and maintenance of a healthy life. Young people are growing into a diverse society, which is characterized by rapid change, inactive work and leisure practices that influence unhealthy behaviors. By incorporating physical activity into peoples daily routine will increase their chances of being healthier, reducing certain diseases and learning how to avoid injuries. Physical education helps students improve their knowledge about health issues and practices that will lead to a more enjoyable life. Students playing and working in a team together develop social skills, teamwork, achieving goals, and development of self-esteem. Overall physical education provides the potential for a better life style.
Children will gain much through music and movement. When we give children the opportunity to moventhey will become coordinated and gain self- control. Children require movement because they are unable to sit still for long periods of time. Movement activities are a wonderful way for children to move in a way that is fun and encourages fitness. When chi...
McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Child development and education (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Some activity clubs we provide include, dancing, running, jump roping, basketball and soccer clubs, just to name a few. These clubs encourage kids to stay active. Our PE program also sends out monthly newsletters to the parents that give them ways to help their child live a healthy lifestyle. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education states, “Regular physical activity improves functional status and limits disability during the middle and later adult years. Physical activity contributes to quality of life, psychological health, and the ability to meet physical work demands. Physical education can serve as a vehicle for helping students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, motor skills, behavioral skills, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physically active lifestyles. The outcomes of a quality physical education program include the development of students’ physical competence, health-related fitness, self-esteem, and overall enjoyment of physical activity. These outcomes enable students to make informed decisions and choices about leading a physically active lifestyle. In early years children derive pleasure from movement sensations and experience challenge and joy as they sense a growing competence in their movement ability. Evidence suggests that the level of participation, the degree of skill, and the number of activities mastered as a child directly influences the extent to which children will continue to participate in physical activity as an