How Movement Supports Boys' Learning and Engagement
Dr. John J. Ratey's TED Talk, "Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise Can Transform Our Schools," offered powerful insights into how movement can revolutionize the way boys, in particular, learn and engage in the classroom. As a psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Ratey explains that physical activity can enhance cognitive and emotional performance, helping students focus, retain information, and feel more connected to their learning.
This message resonated deeply with me as an Upper School Drama Teacher, where I see firsthand how essential movement is for helping boys engage meaningfully with the material. Dr. Ratey's message reinforces the idea that incorporating physical activity in every subject—from Math to English to Science—could significantly benefit students by giving them constructive outlets for their energy and supporting a more profound connection to the content.
In Drama, movement is integral; students express character, emotion, and relationships through physical actions. However, as Dr. Ratey emphasizes, movement should not be restricted to the arts or physical education. By incorporating movement-based activities into all classrooms, teachers can tap into boys' natural energy to enhance focus and participation. In Math or Science, for example, engaging boys with hands-on experiments, solving problems on whiteboards, or even taking active “brain breaks” could improve their concentration and comprehension. In English, French, Spanish or Mandarin, boys could act out scenes from stories or participate in role-play activities to internalize language and themes on a physical level. Subjects like History and Geography, with strong narratives and spatial elements, could benefit from interactive mapping exercises, dramatizing historical events, or creating movement-based interpretations of complex concepts.
Dr. Ratey’s research reaffirmed the importance of making learning physically interactive and flexible, especially for boys who may struggle in traditional lecture-based classrooms. The creative approach that movement allows is transformative, encouraging students to actively engage with lessons rather than passively receive them. This transformation is something I witness frequently in Drama; boys often recall lessons more vividly when they can physically explore a character or scenario. Recently, I integrated body language exercises to help boys connect with character development, and students who usually struggle with focus found new engagement and enjoyment in exploring dramatic expression.
Dr. Ratey's perspective encouraged me to consider how teachers across subjects might adopt similar approaches. Small changes, such as incorporating movement breaks, physical group tasks, or hands-on learning, could help boys manage their energy and foster deeper understanding. His insights underscore that movement is far from a distraction—it’s a catalyst for learning, empowering boys, and all students, to become more engaged, connected, and inspired in their education.
