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Learning in Motion, Focus in Action

Discover how a deep understanding and application of the Neurology of Motion enlists the entire body as a learning tool on a molecular, cellular, structural, bodily and environmental basis

Nonprofit impact stories at RICH Learning International
  • Harnessing Muscle Memory for Learning

Why Movement Matters

You don’t put cheap fuel in a high-performance sports car and expect optimal results. You put high octane fuel, blended specifically for the engine’s needs. At a molecular level, what fuel does a child need for optimal performance? Oxygen! And you don’t get much oxygen sitting in a chair. You’ve got to move, move, move.

For most of human history, if you sat for any length of time you’d get eaten. We are built to move, not to sit.

A child's natural desire to move is often seen as a problem in traditional classrooms. When children are forced to sit still for long periods, their ability to focus and retain information plummets. We believe this energy isn't a problem to be solved; it's a resource to be channeled. Without purposeful movement, we miss a critical opportunity to build a fully integrated, ready-to-learn brain.

Note: There’s more on the molecular benefits of movement in learning in the free book “RICH Learning: Brain-based Learning on Arts-based Platforms at Youtube .

Children participating in neurology of movement activities

The Difference an Active Classroom Makes

  • Google the results of teaching with movement and you’ll find measurable and profound improvement in learning. Plus, you create happier kids and more engaged students.
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Reduction in classroom disruptions

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Improvement in task completion

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Teachers Report a Happier Classroom

  • The RICH Method: Purposeful Play, Powerful Results

How It Works

Movement and Focus

In RICH Learning, you not only sing every lesson, you dance! Boosting blood flow to the brain increases oxygen levels. It builds more nerve cells, more connections between nerve cells and more receptors on the connections. The results? Optimal focus and memory. Connecting movement with motion and emotion also reduces disruptive behavior.

Building Executive Function

RICH Learning teaches a new dance step each unit, connecting balance, coordination, rhythm and fun. These activities physically strengthen neural pathways responsible for planning, impulse control and working memory as they bond children to each other in the performance of the dance.

Mindful Motion for Self-Regulation

Integrating simple, mindful movement with breathing exercises helps children understand and manage their own energy and emotions. This leads to a calmer and more cohesive learning environment and enhances memory consolidation.

neurology of movement in learning

neurology of movement in learning