Lana Oconnell
The traditional classroom instruction of sit still and pay attention is being challenged by research that shows the benefits of physical activity for children's academic performance and overall well-being. The sedentary nature of the school day, including sitting during class time, homework, and limited free play, may negatively impact a child's ability to pay attention and their overall health. Studies suggest that physical activity breaks during the school day can improve students' attention spans and cognitive abilities, with active children demonstrating greater attention spans, faster cognitive processing speeds, and higher academic performance. The inclusion of movement in the classroom is gaining recognition as an essential component of effective teaching strategies, with teachers employing various techniques to engage students and enhance their learning experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Physical activity | Students who are physically active have a greater attention span, faster cognitive processing speed, and higher overall performance on standardized academic tests. |
| Sitting time | More sitting time is associated with higher lapses of attention. |
| Movement | Movement allows the brain to respond to future challenges and promotes brain adaptation and growth. |
| Self-regulation | Students who self-regulate well tend to focus their attention easily and succeed at school. |
| Attention | Students' attention is constantly shuttling between what they are experiencing externally and internally. |
| Multitasking | Students who try to multitask in class by engaging in activities on their devices perform poorly. |
| Technology | Technology and instant gratification have been blamed for shorter attention spans. |
| Sleep | Students' capability to pay attention differs depending on the amount of sleep they get. |
| Classroom breaks | Physical activity breaks improve students' time-on-task. |
| Classroom strategies | Strategies such as asking questions, fostering peer discussions, and creating a comfortable classroom climate can help students pay attention. |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of physical activity for cognitive development
Students who participate in regular aerobic exercise perform better on a wide range of cognitive measures. Physical activity increases the ability of the heart to deliver oxygen to the brain, which has a positive impact on cerebral structure, cerebral blood flow, the growth of new neurons, and the production of neurotransmitters and proteins that are responsible for the survival of developing neurons. All these enhancements directly improve attention. Children who spend their days running and playing show increased stimulation of the frontal lobes, less impulsiveness, and an increased ability to focus.
In a study designed to evaluate the influence of classroom physical activity breaks, students who took a 10-minute break to engage in physical activity displayed a significantly higher time-on-task compared to a sedentary control group. Another study involving 8,000 students found a strong correlation between academic ratings and grades, and exercise levels and physical fitness test performance.
Childhood is a critical period for cognitive development, and physical activity plays a vital role in this process. It is important for the development of physical, mental, and social resources. Physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive functioning, including working memory, V-S memory, and cognitive flexibility. It also positively influences verbal functions, facilitating the learning of new languages and improving spelling and language understanding.
Physical activity should be supportive of children's psychological needs, providing more movement and less sitting or standing. It should allow children to make their own choices and be enjoyable, rather than being used as a punishment. Incorporating physical activity into children's daily routines can help address the sedentary lifestyle that has become prevalent due to technological advances, contributing to their overall well-being and academic success.
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The impact of sedentary behaviour on health
Students who are physically active have been found to have a greater attention span, faster cognitive processing speed, and higher overall performance on standardized academic tests compared to those who are not as active. Incorporating movement into lessons can provide natural breaks in focus for children, enabling them to harness their attentional resources for short spurts and then seamlessly transition to their next item of interest.
However, in today's world, students and teachers have noticed weaker attention spans in students. Out of 107 students surveyed, 48.6% reported zoning out in class all the time, while 47.7% said they sometimes zone out. Students and teachers attribute this to the constant notifications and instant gratification provided by technology.
Regardless of the cause, sedentary behaviour has wide-ranging adverse impacts on the human body. A sedentary lifestyle affects the human body through various mechanisms. It reduces lipoprotein lipase activity, muscle glucose, and protein transporter activities, impairs lipid metabolism, and diminishes carbohydrate metabolism. It decreases cardiac output and systemic blood flow while activating the sympathetic nervous system, ultimately reducing insulin sensitivity and vascular function. It also alters the insulin-like growth factor axis and the circulation levels of sex hormones, which increases the incidence of hormone-related cancers. Sedentary behaviour is also associated with increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer risk, and obesity.
Sedentary behaviour is common in modern life, with many people spending their leisure time sitting in front of a screen, and many jobs involving long days sitting at a desk. However, it is important to note that physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, accounting for 6% of deaths worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate physical activity into daily life, whether through leisure activities, transportation, or work.
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Strategies for engaging students in the classroom
Students often struggle to pay attention in class, and this is not due to laziness or a lack of motivation. The human brain constantly scans the environment for things that might be important, and children need to learn strategies to manage this.
Incorporate Movement
Physical activity has been shown to improve students' attention spans, cognitive processing speed, and overall academic performance. Incorporating movement into classroom lessons provides natural breaks in focus, allowing students to harness their attention for short bursts. This can be done by including physical activities that help students release energy, or by incorporating movement into lessons, such as clapping rhythms or acting out stories.
Provide Breaks
Students have reported that having breaks during class helps them stay focused, especially for longer classes. Physical activity breaks can be particularly effective, but any change in activity can help.
Mix Up Teaching Strategies
Use a variety of teaching strategies and activities to keep students engaged. This can include group work, solo work, and a range of different media, including video, audio, and digital resources.
Get to Know Your Students
Relationships and rapport are key to student engagement. When students feel comfortable and connected to their teacher, they are more likely to be engaged in the classroom. This can be fostered through friendly competition and in-class games or quizzes.
Give Students a Say
Allow students to have a choice in their learning by providing options for different activities, seeking their input on assessment design, and checking in periodically to ensure the pace is working for them. This gives them a sense of ownership over their learning and encourages active participation.
Address Fear of Failure
Recognize and address students' fear of failure and judgment by peers or instructors. Ask questions that encourage interpretation or opinion rather than those with a single correct answer to create a low-risk environment for student participation.
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The role of self-regulation in student attention
Students' attention spans have decreased, and teachers have noticed this change. Students and teachers attribute this shift to the influence of technology and social media, as well as instant gratification and constant notifications. The impact of technology on attention spans is debatable, but it is clear that students struggle to pay attention in class.
Self-regulation is a precursor to attention, and students who self-regulate well tend to focus their attention easily and succeed academically. Self-regulation practices improve the encoding of knowledge and skills in memory, especially in reading comprehension and writing. Students who fail to learn self-evaluation strategies will not be able to direct their attention effectively. Self-regulation allows learners to navigate challenging study conditions by discovering solutions that work for them. It also increases student effort and
Self-regulated learning (SRL) theory identifies three phases: the forethought phase, where learners set goals, assess their motivation and abilities, and make plans; the performance phase, where learners focus their attention, engage in tasks, develop and apply strategies, and monitor their progress; and the self-reflection phase, where learners reflect on their performance through self-evaluation.
Teachers can support the development of self-regulation by creating a student-centred atmosphere and challenging classroom environment with appropriate expectations. They can also model desired behaviours by joining students as they explore materials and lessons. Additionally, teachers should encourage physical activity, as it has been shown to improve attention spans, cognitive processing speed, and overall academic performance.
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The influence of technology on attention spans
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and its influence on attention spans, particularly those of students, has been a topic of interest and concern. While some argue that technology has contributed to declining attention spans, others believe that it is not the sole factor.
The Impact of Technology on Student Attention Spans
The widespread use of technology, with constant notifications and instant gratification, has led to concerns about its impact on attention spans, especially among students. In a survey of 107 students, 48.6% reported zoning out in class frequently, while 47.7% experienced occasional lapses in attention. Students and teachers have observed that maintaining focus during class has become increasingly challenging. The easy access to technology, such as laptops and phones, in the classroom can distract students, hindering their ability to devote their full attention to the lesson. This multitasking draws resources away from immersive learning, resulting in poorer performance.
The Role of Physical Activity in Attention Spans
Research suggests that physical activity plays a crucial role in enhancing attention spans. Physically active students tend to have greater attention spans, faster cognitive processing speeds, and improved overall academic performance. Incorporating movement into classroom lessons provides natural breaks in focus, allowing students to refocus their attention and seamlessly transition to new topics. Physical activity breaks as short as 10 minutes have been shown to significantly improve students' time-on-task compared to sedentary control groups. Additionally, physical activity promotes brain adaptation, growth, and improved cerebral blood flow, enhancing the brain's ability to respond to future challenges.
Strategies to Improve Student Attention
To combat declining attention spans, educators can employ various strategies:
- Incorporate movement: Teachers can include activities that involve movement, such as clapping rhythms, pantomiming stories, or turning math problems into relay races.
- Provide breaks: Breaks during class can help students refocus their attention, especially during longer class periods.
- Engage actively: Asking questions, requiring written responses, and fostering peer discussions can help students stay engaged and devote their attention to the lesson.
- Utilize technology effectively: While technology can be a distraction, using it effectively, such as through interactive educational tools, can enhance student engagement and attention.
- Reduce homework: Assigning less homework can help students get more sleep, improving their ability to pay attention in class.
In conclusion, while technology may influence attention spans, it is not the sole factor. Physical activity, classroom engagement strategies, and effective technology integration play pivotal roles in improving student attention spans and overall academic performance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, students who are physically active have a greater attention span, faster cognitive processing speed, and higher overall performance on standardized academic tests. Sitting for long periods is linked to higher lapses of attention.
Physical activity promotes brain adaptation and growth, allowing the brain to better respond to future challenges. Aerobic activities, in particular, increase the ability of the heart to deliver oxygen to the brain, improving cerebral blood flow, the growth of new neurons, and the production of neurotransmitters.
Sedentary behaviour in students can lead to increased anxiety and poorer health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also negatively impact their vestibular system, resulting in poor coordination, fear of crowds, and difficulty with academics.
Teachers can incorporate movement into lessons, provide natural breaks, and make information seem newly relevant every 10 minutes. Strategies such as asking questions, fostering peer discussions, and creating a comfortable classroom climate can also help improve student attention.
