Performing spontaneous motor tempo improves children's attentional performance
Résumé
Most children move rhythmically when they are focused on a task, whereas they are expected to remain still. Yet, Dynamic Attention Theory provides a theoretical framework to support the hypothesis that producing a spontaneous motor tempo can improve attentional performance. We therefore developed an experimental procedure designed to test this effect in the ecological context of classroom work: 64 8-year-old children participated in a 3-session, whole-class experiment. Each session began with a preliminary movement phase (spontaneous tempo with the hand or with the head or without movement). Then, in a second phase, the children completed one of three versions of the d2 attentional test. Our results showed that only the spontaneous tempo with hand condition significantly improved attentional performance. This protocol shows that it is possible to adapt teaching practices to allow children to mobilize their attention through these movements without disrupting classroom functioning.