Movement-Based Learning: Building Active Classrooms at Global Indonesia School 2 Sepatan Tangerang
Education systems around the world are increasingly looking to Finland as a source of inspiration for reformation. Known for its humanistic, flexible, and student-centered learning culture, the Nordic country has introduced a number of innovative approaches that prioritize student well-being alongside academic achievement. One concept gaining international attention is movement-based learning, an approach that integrates physical activity directly into classroom instruction.
This idea is now being explored by several educational institutions, including Global Indonesia School 2 Sepatan, as part of the efforts to create a more engaging and effective learning environment.
At its core, movement-based learning encourages students to be physically active while learning. Instead of spending the entire lesson sitting and listening to the teacher, students may stand up, move around the classroom, participate in educational games, or take part in short physical activities linked to the lesson material. The concept is rooted in a simple understanding: children learn not only by listening and observing, but also by doing and experiencing.
The approach has developed strongly in Finland through the national Schools on the move program, launched in 2010. The initiative encourages schools to incorporate more physical activity into students’ daily routines. Today, more than 90 percent of Finnish primary schools have adopted the program, making movement an integral part of the country’s learning culture.
The goal of Schools on the Move is straightforward—encouraging students to move more and sit less during the school day. Participation is voluntary, allowing schools to design their own strategies. Some introduce short activity breaks between lessons, while others incorporate games or movement directly into the teaching process. The program has been implemented across multiple levels of education, from primary schools to universities.
Scientific research strongly supports the integration of movement into learning. Physical activity increases oxygen flow to the brain and stimulates the nervous system, both of which help improve attention, memory, and the ability to process information. Even simple actions such as standing up or walking shortly around the classroom can help students regain focus and maintain concentration.
Educator and author Timothy D. Walker, known for his book Teach Like Finland, highlights the importance of creating a joyful and active classroom environment. According to Walker, allowing students to take the opportunities to move during lessons can make classrooms more dynamic while helping students sustain their energy and engagement. He argues that even short activity can significantly boost students’ readiness to learn.
Similar conclusions have been made by educational researchers studying the classroom-based physical activity. Studies show that integrating movement into learning correlates with improved student focus and academic performance. Beyond academic benefits, these activities also contribute positively to students’ physical health and emotional well-being.
In today’s digital era, the relevance of this approach is becoming even more evident. Many students spend long hours sitting—both at school and while using digital devices at home. Health experts warn that overly sedentary learning patterns can reduce concentration and lead to mental fatigue. Introducing movement into classroom routines therefore offers an important way to balance cognitive work with physical activity.
For Global Indonesia School 2 Sepatan, the adoption of movement-based learning represents a forward-looking step toward meeting the needs of 21st-century education. By combining academic instruction with active engagement, the approach aims to create a learning environment where students are not only academically capable but also a healthy, creative, and collaborative.In such classrooms, learning is no longer a passive activity. Instead, it becomes an energetic and interactive process—one that allows students to move, think, and grow at the same time.
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Robert Bala
The Principal of Global Indonesia School 2 Sepatan, Tangerang. The Alumnus of the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
Source :
Book "Creative Teaching (Belajar Mengikuti Kemauan Otak)" by Robert Bala.
