Get Up and Move While You Learn

Did you know that you can learn AND move at the same time? In fact, specific movements can enhance learning. Every summer, students of all ages in RITES summer programs experience this “active learning.” Just because we are online this summer doesn’t mean we can’t continue this practice!

We have been working with our Occupational Therapist, Courtney Reilly, to create videos with short movement breaks (see below for a sneak peek!). These feature gross-motor and fine-motor exercises that will be incorporated into all our online sessions, whether during individual tutoring, during our book clubs, writing workshops, or reading and math classes.

What Does That Mean?

Students, led by their teachers, will be able to practice and reinforce academic skills while moving their bodies in creative ways. For example, they can practice the alphabet by interacting with bean bags in ways that correspond to various letters. Students also hone their flexibility and stamina with multi-step, auditory directions, while practicing counting movements, or performing a task for a specified number of times.

Here is a sampling of our RITES Learning Locomotion videos for younger students to become better learners:

For Older Students

RITES programs will continue to utilize the Brain Gym model to help middle school and high school students maximize their learning abilities. We have created short videos with these specific exercises to help students organize themselves for better learning. Doing these exercises keeps their attention focused over longer periods of time. This model is, “committed to the principle that moving with intention leads to optimal learning.” Utilizing the videos, teachers will lead their students through these exercises and all will reap the benefits immediately.

The Brain Gym component of the RITES Summer Programs helps students with their Executive Functioning, leading to better organization, time management, and attentional focus.

Brain Gym activities are divided into four categories:

1. Midline Movements
2. Energy Exercises
3. Deepening Attitudes
4. Lengthening Activities

Here’s a sampling of RITES Learning Locomotion for older students, utilizing the Brain Gym techniques:

RITES summer lessons engage students in activities from all four of these categories. In fact, physical movements encourage increased self-awareness, responsibility, and creative self-expression while enhancing learning. (Read more about the Brain Gym model.)