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Educational practices in motion: a scoping review of embodied learning approaches in school.

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Title: Educational practices in motion: a scoping review of embodied learning approaches in school.
Authors: Faella, Pierluigi1,2 (AUTHOR), Digennaro, Simone1 (AUTHOR), Iannaccone, Alice1 (AUTHOR) alice.iannaccone@unicas.it
Source: Frontiers in Education. 2025, p1-18. 18p.
Subject Terms: *Physical education, *Interdisciplinary education, *Inclusive education, *Active learning, *Academic motivation, Mental work, Awareness, Somatic sensation
Abstract: Introduction: Embodied learning integrates physical activity, cognition, and environmental interaction within educational practices, challenging traditional dichotomies between mind and body. In the context of physical education (PE), embodied approaches are particularly promising for fostering physical literacy, embodied identity, and interdisciplinary learning, thereby promoting more inclusive and holistic pedagogical models. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA checklist. A systematic search across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases was performed from January to November 2024. Studies were included if they empirically explored embodied learning within school-based PE contexts. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed thematically. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Three major thematic cores emerged: physical literacy, embodied identity, and multidisciplinarity. Embodied learning interventions consistently enhanced student motivation, body awareness, cognitive engagement, and interdisciplinary integration, particularly in STEM-related areas. Furthermore, several studies reported improvements in students' self-perception, social competence, and critical engagement with body ideals. Despite these positive outcomes, limitations were noted, including cultural homogeneity of samples, age-related research gaps, and methodological inconsistencies across studies. Discussion: Embodied learning holds substantial potential to enrich educational environments by bridging physical, cognitive, and emotional domains of student experience. It facilitates deeper engagement, inclusivity, and academic integration across disciplines. However, future research should focus on diversifying cultural contexts, including broader age ranges, and conducting longitudinal studies to explore the sustained impact of embodied learning interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Frontiers in Education is the property of Frontiers Media S.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Educational practices in motion: a scoping review of embodied learning approaches in school.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Faella%2C+Pierluigi%22">Faella, Pierluigi</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Digennaro%2C+Simone%22">Digennaro, Simone</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Iannaccone%2C+Alice%22">Iannaccone, Alice</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> alice.iannaccone@unicas.it</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Frontiers+in+Education%22">Frontiers in Education</searchLink>. 2025, p1-18. 18p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+education%22">Physical education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interdisciplinary+education%22">Interdisciplinary education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusive+education%22">Inclusive education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+learning%22">Active learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+motivation%22">Academic motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+work%22">Mental work</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Awareness%22">Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Somatic+sensation%22">Somatic sensation</searchLink>
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  Data: Introduction: Embodied learning integrates physical activity, cognition, and environmental interaction within educational practices, challenging traditional dichotomies between mind and body. In the context of physical education (PE), embodied approaches are particularly promising for fostering physical literacy, embodied identity, and interdisciplinary learning, thereby promoting more inclusive and holistic pedagogical models. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA checklist. A systematic search across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases was performed from January to November 2024. Studies were included if they empirically explored embodied learning within school-based PE contexts. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed thematically. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Three major thematic cores emerged: physical literacy, embodied identity, and multidisciplinarity. Embodied learning interventions consistently enhanced student motivation, body awareness, cognitive engagement, and interdisciplinary integration, particularly in STEM-related areas. Furthermore, several studies reported improvements in students' self-perception, social competence, and critical engagement with body ideals. Despite these positive outcomes, limitations were noted, including cultural homogeneity of samples, age-related research gaps, and methodological inconsistencies across studies. Discussion: Embodied learning holds substantial potential to enrich educational environments by bridging physical, cognitive, and emotional domains of student experience. It facilitates deeper engagement, inclusivity, and academic integration across disciplines. However, future research should focus on diversifying cultural contexts, including broader age ranges, and conducting longitudinal studies to explore the sustained impact of embodied learning interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Frontiers in Education is the property of Frontiers Media S.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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