Daily Exercise in Class - Good or Bad?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

In light of the recent findings re: excessive obesity in our society, I’d like to introduce a daily walk/jog mid-morning for 10-15 minutes. I’d like to do it in the last 15 min. before first recess, or right before lunch. I’m receiving a class in Sept. which is “stacked” re: behavioural difficulties. In addition to those 9, I have a child with severe ADHD. I’ve read conflicting info re: kinetic activities with kids with ADHD. Some say, build in movement and it will help them. Others say, any time they have a chance to move rapidly (gym, recess) they come back to class so jazzed up you can’t bring them down again. What do you think? Will the daily jog be a good thing or a bad thing for my student with ADHD.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/29/2003 - 10:54 PM

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Each ADHD child, like every child, is unique. I’ve seen movement and exercise help some ADHD children to contend with school and life and I’ve seen others that get, as you say, “jazzed up” and unsettled by it.

I use a lot of movement in my classroom and most ADHD kids are happy in my class and do well with me (and so the principal puts most of them in my room…) But every once in a while, it’s clear to me that it’s a mistake because it’s an ADHD child who gets all wired and bounces off walls in my room.

You’ll have to try it and see what happens to your ADHD child.

Good luck.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/12/2003 - 9:28 PM

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Hi,

You’ll never know until you try it. If the parents of the child in question approve then give the class a week or two to get into the routine before you decide if it’s working.

I’m old enough to remember having daily gym class in elementary school in the 50s and 60s.

Let me turn this around and propose the following…

“All children need to stay in their seats all day and minimize all physical activity.”

I can’t believe anyone would vote for this proposal, but it’s what I see coming out our local schools.

John

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2003 - 6:00 PM

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Hello,

I taught at a school where 2 times a week, first thing we did a kilometer walk. We walked around the neighbourhood and the whole school participated. I thought it was great and the students enjoyed it. I had a child with ADHD and I found it really helped him since the first hour of class was when his meds were still kicking in and he was really figity.

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