Physically active learning
The effect of physically active math and language lessons on children's academic achievement
Samenvatting
The main aim of this thesis was to examine the effects of physically active ‘Fit & Vaardig op school’ (F&V) lessons on the academic achievement of socially disadvantaged children (SDC) and children without this disadvantage (non-SDC). SDC have performed worse academically than non-SDC for decades. F&V is a program developed for elementary school children that integrates physical activity into math and language activities. The intervention lessons were taught in the classroom 3 times a week for 20–30 minutes. For example, words had to be spelled by jumping in place for every mentioned letter. To examine what the effects of the F&V program were, first the F&V program implementation was evaluated after one pilot year. It appeared that the F&V lessons could be implemented with success in elementary classrooms. Thereafter, the immediate effects of the F&V lessons on academic engagement were examined. The results showed that participation in the F&V physically active math and language intervention positively contributed to the academic engagement of SDC and non-SDC. Finally, in a two-year randomized controlled trial on 12 elementary schools with 500 children the effects on academic achievement were examined. After two years the F&V intervention contributed significantly more to the math and spelling performance of SDC and non-SDC in comparison with the control group. This equates to 4 months more learning gains. At 7–9 month follow-up, when the children no longer participated in the lessons, the gains in math achievement maintained.
Literatuurverwijzing: Mullender-Wijnsma, M.J. (2017). Physically active learning: the effect of physically active math and language lessons on children's academic achievement. Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.