Exercise and S.E.N.D
23rd March 2022
As Sally Goddard Blythe, Consultant in neuro-development education, has recently described, educational settings for children with special educational needs and disability “...should be a continuous process of sensory as well as intellectual training, not an environment for sensory atrophy or sitting still all day long!”
Physical exercise has an enormous range of benefits for children in a special education needs setting, including:
Young children move a lot, and as they move they are constantly experimenting with new movements, observing how others move, and building on their ‘vocabulary’ of physical literacy.
Physical activity is stimulating for children of all ages and the direct benefits are universal for every child, including those with Special educational needs and disabilities
The SEND spectrum is of course vastly ranging and each child is assessed individually but there are some lovely ways to incorporate movement and exercise into your educational setting.
According to research from the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, participating in dance activities helps improve the physical and mental wellbeing of students with special educational needs (SEN).
Research found 88% feel better able to express themselves and 75% feel more physically fit when they get involved in dance.
A focus group with SEN students emphasised that self-expression through dance can affirm individuality and a sense of self, with one student commenting, “The classes bring out what’s already there… whatever you do it’s going to be good. It’s you and it will be good.”
As champions of grassroots community fitness, at Fresh Air Fitness we understand the importance of sport and exercise being accessible for everyone.
We know how challenging it can be to engage with diverse communities with a range of requirements and we make our outdoor gym equipment available to every school which welcomes children with special educational needs.
Our equipment is purpose designed and built as ‘child sized’ for children of primary school age and senior schools enjoy our adult range. A Fresh Air Fitness outdoor gym is also non-competitive, so children feel naturally calmer and more relaxed. Exercising outdoors in the fresh air and natural daylight also benefits the immune system, lowers blood pressure and heart rate and increased oxygen improves the function and efficiency of every cell in your body improving the function of everything your body does.
We offer the widest range of outdoor gym equipment for schools in the UK and have had some fantastic responses from SEN school communities after having installed one of our outdoor gyms.
"The outdoor gym has helped the children to get more exercise, more fresh air and to refocus attention ready for learning", Deborah Proudfoot, Assistant Head Teacher, Carwarden House SEN School, Camberley.
“Fantastic equipment which does what it says on the label. Installed in our special needs school the gym is able to withstand heavy use from enthusiastic students of all abilities.” - Shirley Illsley, St Joseph’s Independent Specialist School, Cranleigh.
"We have been so pleased with our new equipment. The students have gained so much from the equipment in terms of mental wellness, fitness and preparing for adulthood.” Nici Cutler, Vice Principal of Hive College - for pupils with a range of cognitive and communicative abilities.
Being at school can be stressful for children with special educational needs and disabilities, so encouraging them to relax is key.
Yoga can be extremely calming for children with SEN. It has a positive effect on aggressive behaviour, social withdrawal and hyperactivity. Yoga is also good for developing cognitive and motor skills and the specialised breathing exercises and relaxation techniques improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity.
Yoga helps children with Down’s syndrome stay trim and flexible, as well as developing body awareness, concentration and improving memory. Children with cerebral palsy may experience a reduction in muscle tightness and stress levels. Children with Autism can be brought gently out of their shell, and children with ADD and ADHD can develop greater emotional balance and self-esteem.
To Summarise
Most importantly, any form of movement or exercise will give a child with special needs a physical practice they can enjoy and can feel proud of.
Exercise is a challenging, life-affirming activity, and brings with it a huge sense of achievement, and reward.
Outdoor Gyms for School Communities with a focus on S.E.N.D
If you would like to find out more about how we can work with your school to design, build and install an outdoor gym, our expert team is here to help answer any questions you may have.
You can get in touch by completing our brief enquiry form: Contact Us - The Outdoor Gym Equipment Specialists or if you would like to speak to a person, do telephone us on tel. 01483 608 860.
You might also find our blog discussing the Government Guidelines for SEN acitvity of interest.
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