Em Holliday

If you are a fidgeter you might find this post amusing. This article by Melissa Wenner has caught my attention. It is about a study which looks into how gesture might affect learning.

"Previous studies have shown that people who spontaneously gesture as they learn tend to remember new concepts better, but it has been unclear whether gesturing simply accompanies the process of learning or if it actually facilitates the process. Susan Wagner Cook, a University of Rochester psychologist, along with colleagues at the University of Chicago decided to test whether children who tend not to gesture on their own—but who are taught to gesture while learning a new concept—comprehend and remember the concept better than kids who are not taught to gesture."

I find it an extremely interesting idea when reflecting on my own learning. I am an extremely effecient learner, I always have been, however I never thought much of it. I am also a big hand speaker, I always gesture and use my hands to expand upon what I am saying and have found many students respond to this body language as it accentuates the verbal message. In the past when I have shared an office with my husband I drove him mad by my constant fidgeting and tapping. I tap, flick or move constantly when learning and the more deeply involved I am the more pronounced my fidgeting and the less aware of it I am! Needless to say we never share office space anymore!

 I wonder if my natural need to fidget has effected my learning? I can certainly see the benefit of it from Cook's study and won't ever tell a child off for fidgeting as long as they aren't distracting those around them.

Picture from: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/501880/2/istockphoto_501880_open_hand_gesture.jpg