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The Impact Of Somatic Movement On Academic And Behavioral Performance In The Fourth-Grade Classroom, Sara Collson

Education Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact that somatic movement had on the academic and behavioral performance of elementary students. 21 participants were chosen, with permission, from a designated fourth-grade classroom to participate in the applied treatment—somatic movement. This included stretching, balancing, and low intensity movements. The method of this study was to incorporate somatic movement exercises for approximately five minutes prior to language arts class. The results collected from the study showed that applying the somatic movement exercises in the classroom improved students’ engagement, focus, and productivity for an immediate and short amount of time.