Connie Malamed

Overview

Built to Move by Connie Malamed is a thought-provoking book that explores the importance of movement in learning and how it can enhance our cognitive abilities. With a focus on educational settings, Malamed argues that creating physically active environments can improve learning outcomes and promote better engagement, attention, and retention among students. As an expert in the field of learning and design, Malamed provides valuable insights and practical tips to integrate movement into various learning contexts.

Key Points / Ideas

Malamed starts by explaining the scientific evidence behind the positive impact of movement on cognition and learning. She highlights the role of the brain's motor cortex and the connection between physical activity and memory formation. By engaging the body in learning experiences, students activate more areas of their brain, leading to enhanced learning outcomes.

Malamed goes on to discuss the benefits of incorporating movement in both traditional classroom settings and digital learning environments. She suggests various strategies for integrating movement, such as using physical manipulatives, incorporating kinesthetic learning activities, and utilizing technology tools that promote active participation.

One important aspect covered in the book is the relationship between movement and attention. Malamed emphasizes that movement helps combat the detrimental effects of sitting for extended periods, which can contribute to decreased attention and focus. By incorporating short movement breaks or standing activities, teachers can improve students' attention span and reduce cognitive fatigue.

Moreover, the author acknowledges the concerns and challenges related to implementing movement in educational settings. She provides practical advice on overcoming barriers, such as time constraints, limited space, and curriculum constraints. Malamed suggests simple modifications and activities that can be easily integrated into existing lesson plans.

Throughout the book, Malamed shares numerous examples and case studies from different educational contexts. These real-life examples demonstrate the positive impact of movement on student learning and engagement. From preschools to universities, the author provides inspiring stories of how teachers and educators have successfully incorporated movement into their classrooms.

Conclusion

Built to Move offers valuable insights into the relationship between movement and learning, highlighting the benefits of creating physically active environments in educational settings. Malamed presents compelling evidence and practical strategies for integrating movement into various learning contexts, empowering teachers and educators to enhance students' cognitive abilities and overall learning outcomes.

By emphasizing the connection between movement and attention, memory, and engagement, the author provides a convincing argument for the importance of incorporating physical activity in education. Built to Move serves as a guidebook for teachers, parents, and anyone interested in optimizing learning experiences through movement.

Readers are encouraged to explore the book themselves to gain a deeper understanding of the research and practical applications presented by Malamed. For further readings on the topic, other notable books that complement Built to Move include "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" by John J. Ratey and "Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain: Moving with Meaning for Lifelong Brain Development" by Karen Peterson. These resources provide additional perspectives and evidence supporting the integration of movement in learning environments.