Physically Active Math and Language Lessons Improve Academic Achievement: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pediatrics
; 137(3): e20152743, 2016 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26912206
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Using physical activity in the teaching of academic lessons is a new way of learning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an innovative physically active academic intervention ("Fit & Vaardig op School" [F&V]) on academic achievement of children.METHODS:
Using physical activity to teach math and spelling lessons was studied in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Participants were 499 children (mean age 8.1 years) from second- and third-grade classes of 12 elementary schools. At each school, a second- and third-grade class were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in F&V lessons for 2 years, 22 weeks per year, 3 times a week. The control group participated in regular classroom lessons. Children's academic achievement was measured before the intervention started and after the first and second intervention years. Academic achievement was measured by 2 mathematics tests (speed and general math skills) and 2 language tests (reading and spelling).RESULTS:
After 2 years, multilevel analysis showed that children in the intervention group had significantly greater gains in mathematics speed test (P < .001; effect size [ES] 0.51), general mathematics (P < .001; ES 0.42), and spelling (P < .001; ES 0.45) scores. This equates to 4 months more learning gains in comparison with the control group. No differences were found on the reading test.CONCLUSIONS:
Physically active academic lessons significantly improved mathematics and spelling performance of elementary school children and are therefore a promising new way of teaching.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Leitura
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Logro
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Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde
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Avaliação Educacional
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Idioma
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Aprendizagem
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Atividade Motora
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article