Browsing by Author "Neuvonen, Jasmin"

Appearance pressures caused by social media, increased use of technology, low physical activity and poor physical performance in children and adolescents have led to the originate of this thesis. Previous studies show that these factors can be seen as a risk to the embodiment. The purpose of this thesis is to provide information about embodiment, body awareness and embodied learning in in the context of primary school. The study aims to to find ways in which teacher can support the development of student’s body awareness and positive body image in physical education. In addition, it is examined how teachers perceive their skills and potential to support student’s embodiment and how they see the potential of embodiment in learning. The study was conducted as a qualitative phenomenographic case study, and the research data was collected through semi-structured interviews of four dance and physical education teachers. The research was phenomenographic because of the interest in teacher’s experiences and views on bodily-related themes. The interviews were analyzed using the phenomenographic analysis. The results of the study show that embodiment and body awaraness are challenging concepts with prejudices. The concepts were thought to mean the same thing, or embodiment was considered as the upper concept of body awareness. Supporting body awareness and positive body image are connected to each other: body awareness exercises were also seen to have a positive effect on the development of body image. In the development of body awareness, it was seen as important, for example, to increase knowledge related to the anatomy of the body, and to observe postures and movements of the body. In turn, positive feedback, praise and safe learning environment were considered as important, when supporting positive body image. Creative dance, improvisation, mindfulness, braindance, touching and relaxation exercises were mentioned as exercises that support embodiment. Teachers felt that their own skills were good in supporting student’s embodiment and they emphasized the importance of their own body awareness and education. Embodiment was found to have positive effects on learning, so the research confirms the results of previous research on the bodily basis of thinking and learning