Tai Chi in the Classroom
Posted by Beth DuBose on Aug 08, 2008
Lack of physical activity in schools has teachers turning to new avenues
As reading becomes more and more stressed at the elementary level, other classes tend to be cut short or completely out. In many districts, some students might receive only one PE class a week. With video games, ipods, and TVs, many times these students are not getting much physical activity at home. Students are being robbed the needed physical activity that their young bodies need to stay energized and focused during the school day. To combat this, many schools are introducing exercise activities in the morning or mid-day to help the students work off some energy and help stay more focused on their lessons. When I was teaching, our PE coach created a 10 minute morning exercise program for the students that was set to popular music. The students do the same moves in PE class as a warm up, so the teachers do not need to teach them. I thought it did help, especially with those students that were still a bit sleepy at the start of the day.
One of the new fads happening in schools is to introduce Tai Chi in the classrooms. An article in the Newark Metro discusses how an urban third grade classroom uses tai chi to energize their “classroom warriors” to get ready for the school day. Another article at Tampa Bay Online explains how tai chi is beneficial for students with physical disabilities as well. They state that “the Web site of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability lists several benefits of tai chi, including promoting relaxation, improving lung capacity and cardiovascular and respiratory function, improving balance and posture, increasing flexibility and reducing pain.” The University of Tennessee is also studying the therapeutic effects of “wheelchair tai chi.” Participants will take two 45-minute classes a week to see whether it can improve sitting balance, respiratory function and mental health.
Teachers do not need to be masters of tai chi to be able to bring this to their students. There are many DVDs out there that can be used so the instructor on the video can teach everyone in the classroom to perform the movements.
I thought that bringing tai chi into the classrooms was an interesting idea. I have not experienced this myself to know if it works, but would love to hear from anyone that has tried this or other programs to get your students moving in the classroom.