Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-dnltx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-20T00:39:49.249Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Perceptions of Canadian Indigenous teachers and students on movement integration in the classroom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2019

Serene Kerpan*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
M. Louise Humbert
Affiliation:
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 87 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
Sylvia Abonyi
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Box 7, Health Science Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
*
Author for correspondence: Serene Kerpan, E-mail: serene.kerpan@uoit.ca
Get access

Abstract

The focus of this article is understanding the perceptions that Canadian Indigenous teachers and students have on a novel physical activity teaching method that is utilised in the classroom. We explore the role that physical activity plays in the healthy growth and development of children, with special attention to Indigenous children. Through participatory action research and qualitative methods, Indigenous teachers and students share their thoughts on physical activity in the classroom and the barriers and facilitators that exist to implementing classroom physical activity. This work is discussed in the context of the recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and provides the reader with tangible suggestions for movement integration in the classroom.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderson, I, Robson, B, Connolly, M, Al-Yaman, F, Bjertness, E, King, A and Pesantes, MA (2016) Indigenous and tribal peoples’ health (The Lancet–Lowitja Institute Global Collaboration): a population study. The Lancet 388, 131157.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartholomew, JB and Jowers, EM (2011) Physically active academic lessons in elementary children. Preventive Medicine 52, S51S54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Battiste, M (1998) Enabling the autumn seed: toward a decolonized approach to aboriginal knowledge, language, and education. Canadian Journal of Native Education 22, 16.Google Scholar
Battiste, M (2002) Indigenous Knowledge and Pedagogy in First Nations Education: A Literature Review with Recommendations. Ottawa: Apamuwek Institute.Google Scholar
Baum, F, MacDougall, C and Smith, D (2006) Participatory action research. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 60, 854857.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Becker, DR, McClelland, MM, Loprinzi, P and Trost, SG (2014) Physical activity, self-regulation, and early academic achievement in preschool children. Early Education & Development 25, 5670.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Biddle, SJ, Ciaccioni, S, Thomas, G and Vergeer, I (2018) Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: an updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011Google Scholar
Bruner, MW, Hillier, S, Baillie, CP, Lavallee, LF, Bruner, BG, Hare, K and Lévesque, L (2016) Positive youth development in aboriginal physical activity and sport: a systematic review. Adolescent Research Review 1, 257269.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canadian Council on Learning (2009) The State of Aboriginal Learning in Canada: A Holistic Approach to Measuring Success. Retrieved from: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/education2/state_of_aboriginal_learning_in_canada-final_report,_ccl,_2009.pdfGoogle Scholar
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, & The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2014) Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. Retrieved from http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/eng/archives/tcps2-eptc2-2010/chapter9-chapitre9/Google Scholar
Carlson, JA, Engelberg, JK, Cain, KL, Conway, TL, Geremia, C, Bonilla, E and Sallis, JF (2017) Contextual factors related to implementation of classroom physical activity breaks. Translational Behavioral Medicine 7, 581592.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castellano, MB (2004) Ethics of aboriginal research. Journal of Aboriginal Health 1, 98114.Google Scholar
Coble, JD, Rhodes, RE and Higgins, JW (2008) Physical activity behaviors and motivations in an adult First Nation population: a pilot study. Ethnicity & Disease 19, 4248.Google Scholar
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (2010) Staying in School: Engaging Aboriginal Students.Google Scholar
Constitution Act of Canada (1982) Retrieved from http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/constGoogle Scholar
Cothran, DJ, Kulinna, PH and Garn, AC (2010) Classroom teachers and physical activity integration. Teaching and Teacher Education 26, 13811388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Creswell, JW (2003) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 2nd edn. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Creswell, JW (2007) Qualitative Enquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
de Greeff, JW, Bosker, RJ, Oosterlaan, J, Visscher, C and Hartman, E (2018) Effects of physical activity on executive functions, attention and academic performance in preadolescent children: a meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 21, 501507.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dinkel, D, Schaffer, C, Snyder, K and Lee, JM (2017) They just need to move: teachers’ perception of classroom physical activity breaks. Teaching and Teacher Education 63, 186195.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Donnelly, JE and Lambourne, K (2011) Classroom-based physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement. Preventive Medicine 52(Suppl 1), S36S42. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.021CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
First Nations Information Governance Centre (2012) First Nations Regional Health Survey: 2008/10 National Report on Adults, Youth and Children Living in First Nations Communities. Ottawa: First Nations Information Governance Centre.Google Scholar
First Peoples Worldwide (2016) Who are Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved from http://www.firstpeoples.org/who-are-indigenous-peoplesGoogle Scholar
Friesen, J and Krauth, B (2009) Sorting, Peers, and Achievement of Aboriginal Students in British Columbia. Retrieved from http://www.sfu.ca/~friesen/aboriginal_peers.pdfGoogle Scholar
Goh, TL, Hannon, JC, Newton, M, Webster, C, Podlog, L and Pillow, W (2013) ‘I'll squeeze it in’: transforming preservice classroom teachers’ perceptions toward movement integration in schools. Action in Teacher Education 35, 286300.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goh, TL, Hannon, JC, Webster, CA and Podlog, L (2017) Classroom teachers’ experiences implementing a movement integration program: barriers, facilitators, and continuance. Teaching and Teacher Education 66, 8895.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grieco, LA, Jowers, EM and Bartholomew, JB (2009) Physically active academic lessons and time on task: the moderating effect of body mass index. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 41, 19211926.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guba, EG (1981) Criteria for assessing the trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiries. Educational Communication and Technology Journal 29, 75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Janssen, I and Leblanc, AG (2010) Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 7, 40.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Khan, NA and Hillman, CH (2014) The relation of childhood physical activity and aerobic fitness to brain function and cognition: a review. Pediatric Exercise Science 26, 138146.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kirmayer, L, Simpson, C and Cargo, M (2003) Healing traditions: culture, community and mental health promotion with Canadian aboriginal peoples. Australasian Psychiatry 11(Sup1), S15S23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lubans, D, Richards, J, Hillman, C, Faulkner, G, Beauchamp, M, Nilsson, M and Biddle, S (2016) Physical activity for cognitive and mental health in youth: a systematic review of mechanisms. Pediatrics 138, e20161642.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MacDonald, C (2012) Understanding participatory action research: a qualitative research methodology option. The Canadian Journal of Action Research 13, 3450.Google Scholar
Mahar, MT, Murphy, SK, Rowe, DA, Golden, J, Shields, AT and Raedeke, TD (2006) Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 38, 20862094.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mahar, M, Kenny, R, Shields, A, Scales, D and Collins, G (2010) Energizers: Classroom-based physical activities. Retrieved from https://www.ecu.edu/cs-hhp/exss/upload/Energizers_for_Grades_3_5.pdfGoogle Scholar
Mavilidi, MF, Okely, A, Chandler, P, Domazet, SL and Paas, F (2018) Immediate and delayed effects of integrating physical activity into preschool children's learning of numeracy skills. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 166, 502519.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McMullen, J, Kulinna, P and Cothran, D (2014) Physical activity opportunities during the school day: classroom teachers’ perceptions of using activity breaks in the classroom. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education 33, 511527.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Minchew, SS and Hopper, PF (2008) Techniques for using humor and fun in the language arts classroom. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas 81, 232236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morse, JM and Field, PA (1995) Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Mushquash, CJ and Bova, DL (2007) Cross-cultural assessment and measurement issues Canada's aboriginal diversity. Journal on Developmental Disabilities 13, 5365.Google Scholar
Oosman, S, Smylie, J, Humbert, L and Henry, C (2016) Métis community perspectives inform a school-based health promotion intervention using participatory action. Engaged Scholar Journal 1, 5876.Google Scholar
Onwuegbuzie, AJ, Dickinson, WB, Leech, NL and Zoran, AG (2009) A qualitative framework for collecting and analyzing data in focus group research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods 8, 121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Preston, JP, Cottrell, M, Pelletier, TR and Pearce, JV (2012) Aboriginal early childhood education in Canada: issues of context. Journal of Early Childhood Research 10, 318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reading, J (2009) The Crisis of Chronic Disease among Aboriginal Peoples: A Challenge for Public Health, Population Health and Social Policy. Victoria, Canada: Centre for Aboriginal Health Research.Google Scholar
Rink, J (2001) Investigating the assumptions of pedogogy. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 20, 112128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, DB, Borden, LL and Robinson, IM (2013) Charting a course for culturally responsive physical education. Alberta Journal of Educational Research 58, 526546.Google Scholar
Shenton, AK (2004) Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information 22, 6375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smylie, J and Anderson, M (2006) Understanding the health of indigenous peoples in Canada: key methodological and conceptual challenges. Canadian Medical Association Journal 175, 602602.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Statistics Canada (2013) The educational attainment of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Retrieved from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-012-x/99-012-x2011003_3-eng.pdfGoogle Scholar
Stone, MR, Stevens, D and Faulkner, GE (2013) Maintaining recommended sleep throughout the week is associated with increased physical activity in children. Preventive Medicine 56, 112117.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015) Honouring the truth, reconciling for the future. Retrieved from http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Final%20Reports/Executive_Summary_English_Web.pdfGoogle Scholar
Tremblay, MS, Gray, CE, Akinroye, K, Harrington, DM, Katzmarzyk, PT, Lambert, EV, Prista, A, Reilly, J, del Pilar Rodríguez, M, Sarmiento Duenas, O, Standage, M and Tomkinson, G (2014) Physical activity of children: a global matrix of grades comparing 15 countries. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 11(s1), S113S125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Waldram, JB, Herring, A and Young, TK (2006) Aboriginal Health in Canada: Historical, Cultural, and Epidemiological Perspectives. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.Google Scholar
Watson, A, Timperio, A, Brown, H, Best, K and Hesketh, KD (2017) Effect of classroom-based physical activity interventions on academic and physical activity outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 14, 114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, CA, Russ, L, Vazou, S, Goh, TL and Erwin, H (2015) Integrating movement in academic classrooms: understanding, applying and advancing the knowledge base. Obesity Reviews 16, 691701.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, CA, Zarrett, N, Cook, BS, Egan, C, Nesbitt, D and Weaver, RG (2017) Movement integration in elementary classrooms: teacher perceptions and implications for program planning. Evaluation and Program Planning 61, 134143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilkinson, S, Joffe, H and Yardley, L (2004) Qualitative data collection: Interviews and focus groups. In Marks, D and Yardley, L (eds), Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology. London: Sage Publications, pp. 3955.Google Scholar
Zavala, M (2013) What do we mean by decolonizing research strategies? Lessons from decolonizing, indigenous research projects in New Zealand and Latin America. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education, and Society 2, 5571.Google Scholar