Learning math through movement: physical education as another alternative

The purpose of this study was to determine the cognitive effects of applying physical recreational activities to two groups of pre-school students, related to mathematics to one of the groups and recreational games to the other.  A total of 27 subjects (13 girls and 14 boys) of 5 and a half and 6 and half years of age participated in the study.  The instrument used was a questionnaire including basic math concepts such as geometry, basic operations with concrete elements, and how to read the clock, based on the topics established by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education.  Once the instrument was developed, a plan of physical recreational activities related to math was prepared and applied to the experimental group (pre-school B) for one and a half months, while the other group played recreational games.  Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.  Positive and significant effects were found in the physical recreational activity program regarding student performance in 10 of the 12 items that were applied to assess mastery of basic math concepts.  In conclusion, using physical education as another instrument to teach other disciplines represents an excellent alternative for pre-school teachers that try to satisfy the learning needs of children that will soon be attending school.  Using movement as part of guided and planned activities plays an indispensable role in children’s lives; therefore, learning academic subjects should be adapted to their needs to explore and know their environment.

Estimating social carrying capacity in protected Mediterranean mountain areas. Methodological orientation

The concept of social carrying capacity, though opens to debate and critique, is a valuable tool that enhances the management of recreational use in protected natural areas. In this study, conducted in Sierra de las Nieves natural park (Spain), we first categorised the hikers making use of the park and then, from the profiles obtained, analysed their perception of crowding on the trails. This assessment was subsequently used to assess levels of user satisfaction and thus to determine the psychosocial carrying capacity of the park. The results obtained can be extrapolated to most of the Spanish natural parks in Mediterranean mountain areas, due to their comparable levels of visitor numbers and to the prevalence of recreational hiking use. The results suggest that management efforts should be directed toward relocating trails outside the core areas, such that user preferences may be satisfied while less impact is made on the areas of highest environmental value.

Programa de actividades físicas recreativas para incentivar la inclusión social en personas con discapacidad intelectual en la Fundación Mensajeros de la Paz

El presente trabajo de investigación tuvo como propósito la realización de un programa de actividades físicas recreativas para personas con discapacidad intelectual de acuerdo a sus necesidades; con el objetivo de lograr un proceso de inclusión social en la comunidad, dicho estudio e investigación se realizó en un periodo de seis meses con la participación de 30 personas con discapacidad intelectual que son parte de la fundación Mensajeros de la Paz extensión Santa María de Quillosisa perteneciente al cantón Santa Isabel. Para cumplir con este propósito fue necesario en primera instancia conocer los antecedentes históricos de la discapacidad intelectual, la definición y clasificación, entender que son las actividades recreativas y que beneficios brindan a las personas con discapacidad intelectual, para finalmente diseñar un programa que contengan actividades físicas y recreativas cuyas características sean de fácil aplicación y entendimiento para estas personas. En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos con el diseño y aplicación del programa se pudo evidenciar que el 90% de las personas presentó cambios a nivel personal afectivo y social gracias a la práctica de actividades físicas recreativas permitiéndoles corregir defectos posturales y de locomoción; mejorar su estado de ánimo e integrarse al grupo que lo rodea y a la sociedad, logrando así un vínculo de pertenencia de manera recíproca tanto de la comunidad hacia estas personas, como de estas personas hacia la comunidad o la sociedad, mientras que el restante 10% no tuvo ningún cambio debido al alto grado de discapacidad intelectual que presentan.