Diving into Active Play-Active Learning

Here at the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, we have a lot going on. Just when one project is wrapping up, another great one begins. Some have even been in progress for several years. With so many respectable, efficacious programs advancing (all over the world, mind you) we thought it would be refreshing to highlight a program from our Center each month. After all, it’s always important to reflect a little, and remember where you started in order to appreciate how far you’ve come. That said, go ahead and read on to learn more about Active Play-Active Learning.
The Active Play-Active Learning project, or APAL as we often call it, is a school-based initiative developed to promote child health through the incorporation of physical activity. The program strives to incorporate physical activity into the elementary classroom and throughout the entire school day. In order to achieve this, APAL is broken down into three strategies:

1. Classroom Brain Breaks- brief physical activity dynamics that reinforce academic learning and provide active class transitions. Examples of brains breaks used are: Estimation Destination, Over-Under-Around-Through (or Preposition Boogie), Zero In, 10-second Fitness, Fitness Detective, Cheerleader Rock Paper Scissors.
2. School Playground Markings – enhancement of school playground with academic and locomotor markings aimed at promoting activity and learning during recess and class time.
3. Peer-Led Games – easy-to-implement structured activity time in which students teams lead their peers in 5-10 minute fun activity games like Topsy Turvey, Rainbow Fitness, Catch Me if You Can, and Treasure Hunt.

Teachers are trained on these three strategies at different times throughout the school year to keep the information fresh and up-to-date. At each strategy training the why (science) and the how (implementation) are discussed, learned and shared. These trainings are interactive and allow the teachers to get up and move while they play the games and activities they will soon apply in their classroom.

The APAL strategies were pilot-tested in Austin ISD and evaluated in Pueblo, Colorado. With funding from the St. David’s Foundation, APAL has been executed in Bastrop and Del Valle ISD’s since 2011. Results from these sites have shown significant increases in elementary school students’ physical activity during the school day and even recess, based on physical activity structured observation assessment and accelerometer assessment.

Next, APAL will work with eight schools in Manor ISD in order to continue the great work and noble cause of increased physical activity in children’s lives. For more information about APAL, or any other projects, check out our project page, and stay tuned next month for our next MSD center project spotlight.

Written by
Amanda Taylor
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living