Abstract:

Active Learning techniques, which apply research on young children's brain development towards practical student engagement, provide an ideal way for preschool children to learn and develop optimally. Specific learning exercises using physical activity and movement in the regular classroom day support learning goals in literacy and numeracy. Active learning Exercises also encourage motor skill development as well as healthy body awareness and nutritional knowledge in children. The body is a child's first playground, and the basis for a child's understanding of his or her world. Preschoolers need to move and physical activity is a proven pathway to cognitive learning, harnessing and giving structure to the millions of neural patterns children develop at that age. Active play, structured into simple Exercises that can be repeated, provides the most effective learning for preschoolers, influencing learning in both hemispheres of the brain. Active learning sharpens auditory discrimination and multiple-intelligence learning as children listen to and process information, translating that information into physical activity. A child's attention becomes more focused during physical activity, and a great learning opportunity exists at this peak of focus. Furthermore, to combat childhood obesity endemic in many countries, teaching children physical fitness, a healthy body awareness and nutritional learning from a n early age is essential, setting up patterns for lifelong awareness. By incorporating movement and physical activity seamlessly into the structure of the school day, it naturally becomes an integral part of how children learn, how they grow, and how they think and feel about their bodies. The body is a child's first playground, and by connecting it clearly to the learning process, it can remain so in a in a world in which technology competes for their attention. Active Learning Exercises for literacy include activities in letters, syllables, words, story structure, poetry songs and rhymes. Exercises in math include quantitative thinking, number sense, counting, one to one correspondence, grouping and computations, geometric shapes, pattern sequencing and prediction. These Exercises can be used by teachers and parents from novice to experienced, in any setting from a small circle time space to a large outdoor area, in all parts of the day from classroom time to transitions to meal times; in small or large groups, or one on one. They are inclusive and can be customized for children with special needs or second language learners, and tailored to the needs or uses of the community. Movement is the universal language; thus, the use of physical activity to promote learning is useful for children of every age and ability. Employing fun approaches to student engagement based on evidence-based practice, grounded in the science of active learning, clear and specific Exercises become an essential educational tool to support learning, and connect teachers and parents. Attendees will learn Active Learning Exercises examples in each category of literacy, math, motor skills and healthy body awareness, and understand how to employ the Exercises in the course of a classroom day. This approach to preschool learning will also be linked to preparatory Exercises for toddlers and twos, and advanced Exercises for use in grades K-3.

Keywords:

Physical activity, movement, preschool learning, literacy, math, motor skills, ant-obesity programming, healthy body awareness.