To evaluate the effectiveness of participation in specific motor learning activities on the academic learning areas of Grade 2 learners

Abstract

Physical activities contribute to children’s well being; therefore, it is an instructional priority for all schools and an integral part of all children’s educational experience. High-quality physical education instruction contributes to good health, develops fundamental and advanced motor skills, improves children’s self-confidence, and provides opportunities for increased levels of physical fitness that are associated with high academic achievement. This research study aimed to ascertain whether there was any effect on the experimental group’s learning progress after participating in a specific motor learning activity program. The researcher did this in the form of an experimental study in which the 1st term evaluation reports has been compared to that of the 3rd term, after the learners have participated in a specific motor learning program. A research group consisting of 42 learners was compared to a control group of the same number and the same age. The experimental group has participated in a 16 week training program, consisting of specific motor learning activities, while the control group has only performed their regular daily activities. Subsequently the participants’ academic evaluation reports has been compared in order to note if there are any differences in academic learning areas. Out of the 16 academic learning areas, nine (9) academic learning areas showed a bigger improvement of the experimental group to that of the control group (56.25%), five (5) learning areas showed a decline (31.25%) and two (2) learning areas was not affected (12.5%) (no improvement or decline in the performance of the learning area). The results from this study has allowed for an assessment of the effect of specific motor learning activities on academic learning areas, with a highlight on Languages (Afrikaans and English) Read and Write, Numeracy, Behaviour, Concentration, Social Development and Personal Development, and has concluded that organized motor learning activities administered on a regular basis has a successful outcome on academic learning areas. It also generated useful information and a motor learning programme, which can contribute to clearer understanding of the role of movement in helping a child achieve in his/her academics.