On the Centrality of Physical/Motor Activities in Primary Education

The aim of this paper is to reclaim the value of movement/physical activity, and hence the value of physical education in the school curriculum. The paper discusses, on the one hand, the role of movement/physical activity in the context of learning, by citing the relevant research literature, and more specifically the benefits of including movement/physical activity in the school curriculum (e.g., improvement of students' short-term and long-term memory, stress reduction, invigoration of existing brain cells, growth of new neural connections, increase in focus and retention, regulation of students' energy), and, on the other hand, the role of the human body in the process of concept development and meaning making. The implications of this discussion for an integrated approach to the teaching and learning of physical education is also discussed, something that can be used as a justification of physical education as a school subject which can contribute to students' general education.