There is substantial scientific research suggesting the physical and psychological health benefits of a physically active lifestyle. Consequently, governments worldwide prioritize policies, finances, and resources in healthcare, education, and sports sectors to increase mass participation in physical activity. However, practices in physical…

Our research was oriented to test the effects of a structured program of cooperative learning in Physical Education classes with students in grades 5 and 6 of primary school, with and without previous experience with this methodology. In a second phase we sought to determine how students perceived the received classes for a time later. We analysed…

Because sensorimotor and environmental factors have a profound effect on children's learning, every teacher should know how to weave strategies from occupational therapy (OT) into their everyday instruction. This is the guidebook K-3 teachers need to "think like an OT"--and form effective partnerships with OTs in their schools--so all students can…

This study found that both motor abilities and learning abilities are involved in the determination of Animal House performance. (EK)

Examples are provided of ways in which gross motor activities are integrated into mathematics, language arts, social studies, art, and music and creative movement concepts for preschool- and primary-age children with special needs. (CL)

The use of pom-pom balls made of yarn in a classroom physical education program is described. (DB)

An adaptive physical education program was implemented for two special classes of educable mentally retarded children, grades K-3 in California. Children from a regular kindergarten class also participated in the program. The program operated for 5 months, with children receiving motor skills training 40 minutes per day, 4 days per week. Analysis…

This study evaluated the influence of biological and environmental variables on the differences between the throwing performance of 100 five-year-old girls and boys. Results are analyzed and discussed. (Author/MT)

Perceptual training activities are described for use in the regular primary or intermediate class that will not disrupt the academic program. Materials and procedures are considered for developing visual and haptic abilities, visual memory and figure-ground discrimination, and auditory, olfactory, taste, and motor skills. (CL)

Analyzes training procedures designed to address specific phonological deficits in six- to eight-year old disabled readers (N=24). Children were taught to connect printed letter clusters with underlying oral-motor activity. Posttest results reveal that all children were successful in segments representing trained reading rules, but disabled and…

Argues that the use of pictures as a teaching and learning strategy benefits early learners with regard to reference image development and provides helpful information to a student who may be separated from teacher feedback. (KEH)

Body movement can be successfully integrated with language arts skills through the following six-step model: (1) begin with the auditory channel (chant the poem to the child and emphasize the sounds); (2) add rhythm (clap the beat, stressing the accents); (3) add movement (watch the execution); (4) add meaning (discuss each phrase, and use imagery…

This paper describes motor development and movement skills and lists activities appropriate for kindergarten students. Locomotor, stability, and manipulative skills are defined and stick figure drawings are presented of kindergarten-level exercises. Games for enhancing locomotor and manipulative skills are described. "Stunts" and other activities…