INTEGRATING MOVEMENT INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL LESSONS TO SUPPORT ATTENTION AND LEARNING

Authors

  • Aliboyeva Dilnovoz Shomurod qizi Author

Keywords:

primary education, physically active learning, classroom movement breaks, on-task behavior, lesson planning

Abstract

Movement can be incorporated into primary school lessons through short activity breaks or tasks that connect physical actions with academic content. This paper examines their educational value through a focused narrative review of four peer-reviewed publications. The evidence supports possible improvements in on-task behavior and, in some sustained interventions, mathematics and spelling achievement. Effects differ by outcome and study design, so better classroom engagement should not be treated as proof of higher attainment. A practical approach is proposed in which teachers select a learning objective, design an accessible movement task, and assess understanding afterward. For primary education in Uzbekistan, the approach offers a direction for classroom piloting, while its local effectiveness requires empirical evaluation.

References

1. Daly-Smith, A. J., Zwolinsky, S., McKenna, J., Tomporowski, P. D., Defeyter, M. A., & Manley, A. (2018). Systematic review of acute physically active learning and classroom movement breaks on children's physical activity, cognition, academic performance and classroom behaviour: Understanding critical design features. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 4(1), e000341. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000341

2. Mahar, M. T., Murphy, S. K., Rowe, D. A., Golden, J., Shields, A. T., & Raedeke, T. D. (2006). Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(12), 2086-2094. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000235359.16685.a3

3. Mullender-Wijnsma, M. J., Hartman, E., de Greeff, J. W., Doolaard, S., Bosker, R. J., & Visscher, C. (2016). Physically active math and language lessons improve academic achievement: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20152743. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2743

4. Watson, A., Timperio, A., Brown, H., Best, K., & Hesketh, K. D. (2017). Effect of classroom-based physical activity interventions on academic and physical activity outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14, 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0569-9

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Published

2026-10-04