The Effects of Movement Training on Lower Elementary Students

My research was a study on the effects of adding movement to an already existing holistic educational setting for elementary students in first- through third-grade. I conducted this study after observing a lack of participation on the part of my special needs students in classroom activities involving movement-based activities and because I could not find directly related studies regarding the integration of cross-brain movement training. The primary focus was to determine the effects of movement training on first- through third-grade students in a holistic school setting. The study showed that students who participated in the cross-brain movement activities displayed improved focus and engagement, greater impulse control, and higher self-esteem. Teachers agreed the movement activities are useful for students despite some initial events of isolated adverse behavior events. Following these events, student behavior showed substantial improvement in expected behaviors.