What My Children Taught Me About How Learning Should Begin

When I chose education as a career, I’ll admit, part of the decision was practical. I wanted a profession that would allow me to be present for my future children. Of course, there were other motivations too: a passion for learning, an insatiable curiosity, and a desire to serve a wider community. The hope of making a lifelong impact. But at the time, the driving force was to find, for lack of a better phrase, the best of both worlds.

Fifteen years later, I have no regrets. In fact, this summer, after spending five uninterrupted weeks with my two boys, I’ve been reminded why that decision was one of the best I ever made. I’ve watched them thrive through sport, come alive while solving problems, and develop curiosity when faced with something new. But one thing stood out; mornings that began with physical activity consistently set the tone for more focused, engaged, and joyful days.

It made me reflect; How well does the structure of mainstream schooling support movement at the start of the day? More importantly, how often do our school systems reflect what we now know through research?

Because the science is clear. Physical activity, whether aerobic or cognitively demanding, improves focus, concentration, and executive functioning. It helps children self-regulate, attend to tasks, and persist in the face of challenge. This isn’t theory; it’s well evidenced. And it’s exciting to think about what might be possible when we find ways to bring that evidence more meaningfully into our practice.

As educators and parents, perhaps one of the most powerful things we can do is remain curious. To ask, with openness, not criticism, how we might continue evolving our models of education to support how children actually grow and learn best.

After a summer of movement-rich mornings, curiosity-driven learning, and joyful exploration, I find myself inspired. Inspired to think more deeply about how we begin each day. Inspired to keep asking questions.

Because the question isn’t just why aren’t we doing more?

It’s what might be possible if we did?