Autumn often brings rain and chill temperatures which can impact on playtime and getting children outside as often as we would like. Fortunately, active learning does not have to be compromised - in fact it can be a great solution to keeping children active!
Embracing Active Learning with Teach Active
Teach Active offers an innovative way to integrate physical activity into everyday lessons. The concept is simple but powerful: keep children moving as they engage in subjects like Maths and English. Research has shown that physical activity boosts cognitive function, improving both attention and retention of information. By bringing active lessons indoors during Autumn, when outdoor time is unpredictable, Teach Active can help schools promote both physical and mental well-being.
Incorporating movement into lessons doesn’t just cater to physical health; it also enhances the overall learning experience. Children are naturally energetic, and sitting still for long periods can be challenging for them. Especially during the colder months, when they can’t always expend energy outside, active lessons indoors provide a perfect outlet for their natural movement.
Staying Active Indoors During the Autumn Season
With Autumn's unpredictable weather—cold winds, rain, and occasional storms—Teach Active lessons can easily be adapted for indoor use. Teachers can use these lessons in classrooms, halls, or even in large open spaces within the school. Here are some practical ways to use Teach Active during the cooler, wetter months:
- Use Classroom Spaces Creatively
Even in smaller indoor spaces, Teach Active lessons can be easily adjusted. For example, in a Maths lesson on number bonds, students can move around the classroom, using sticky notes on the walls or the floor as ‘answer stations.’ Teachers can get creative with limited space by encouraging students to move in a controlled, safe manner, ensuring that learning remains active yet manageable indoors. - School Halls or Gym Spaces
When outdoor areas are out of bounds, school halls or gym spaces are ideal for active learning. An English lesson might involve pupils moving to different ‘stations’ representing sections of a story, where they act out parts of the narrative. This not only gets them moving but also improves comprehension and retention as they embody characters or plot points. - Group Collaboration
One of the greatest benefits of Teach Active is its emphasis on collaboration. Group activities involving solving maths problems or creating stories together naturally incorporate movement. Even indoors, students can form small groups and rotate through different activities. For example, they might rotate between stations solving fractions or spelling out challenging words using physical activities, like hopping or skipping.
Benefits of Indoor Active Lessons
Using Teach Active indoors provides many benefits during the colder months. Active lessons:
- Improve Focus: Movement breaks up the monotony of sitting still and helps children refocus their minds on the task at hand.
- Encourage Social Interaction: Collaborative activities foster teamwork and social engagement.
- Boost Physical Well-Being: Even when stuck indoors, children still need to meet their daily activity requirements. Teach Active ensures they stay physically engaged, promoting better health.
Teach Active is the perfect tool for teachers looking to keep children engaged, active, and learning, especially during the colder, more unpredictable Autumn months. By bringing these dynamic lessons indoors, teachers can ensure that students continue to benefit from physical activity while meeting their learning goals. Whether it’s a rainy day or the wind is too strong for outdoor play, Teach Active offers an adaptable, fun, and educational approach to staying active year-round.