By Paul Burrows
Mmmm… where to start? Sometimes, the answer is right under your nose.
The Power of Music and Movement
Music has an incredible ability to unlock the mind and create freedom, something every human being can connect with. The penny dropped for me whilst running recently, all I could think of were memories related to the tunes ringing through my ears. Some raising a smile, others tears and thankfully some that motivated me to keep going to the end point.
Not every school has access to rolling fields or spacious facilities, but almost everyone has access to music in some way. Think about the songs that mark key moments in your life, the ones that make you move, smile, or reflect. Put them into a playlist, press play, and watch how your body responds. That’s where the magic of music lives.
My motivation is simple: I want to be a healthy, happy adult who can enjoy life’s later chapters with those closest to me. But I’m also a ‘people watcher’, and what I see worries me.
Technology, Change, and the Challenge We Face
I’ve been lucky to work in Physical Education for over 23 years, and I’ve seen phenomenal changes over that time. Yet, paradoxically, we seem to be going backwards.
Funny enough, one of my worst school results, a D grade in GCSE Information Systems (NEAB, 1995), now fuels my reflection. Technology has advanced beyond imagination: from pausing a tape recorder to avoid recording radio adverts, to today’s world where every song ever made sits in your pocket. Music is now limitless and so are the ways it can inspire movement.
From my GCSEs to my degree at Loughborough University, music carried me through the tough moments. It helped me manage stress (and yes, stress can be both good and bad) and find balance.
Now, as a parent, music remains a vital part of my toolkit. During #daddydaycare, I’ve seen firsthand how my children’s moods and behaviours shift with just one song. It’s powerful stuff and a good reminder that music and movement are deeply human.
Lessons from Lockdown
Remember COVID? That life-altering chapter that forced us to stop, reflect, and reconnect with family, nature, community, and ourselves. For a while, we rediscovered what really mattered.
Fast forward to today, and it feels like many of those lessons have faded. We’re seeing rising obesity, higher anxiety, and growing pressure on healthcare services. Diet, lifestyle, and inactivity are taking their toll.
I’m no angel, I’ve had my struggles too, but these challenges remind me why PE is vital. Exercise and movement aren’t just for fitness; they shape habits, confidence, and lifelong wellbeing. I’m forever grateful to my parents for being my unpaid taxi service and kit managers. Those early foundations built the passion I have today.
With finances tighter than ever, we as educators have a duty to be that positive force, helping young people build habits that change their trajectory.
A Personal Kick-Start
Where did my own renewed motivation come from? Simple, Mrs B.
Sometimes we all need that gentle (or not-so-gentle!) kick to get moving again. Like many busy parents, I’d started putting everything and everyone before myself. That’s when I realised how vital it is to make #tiME, time for your partner, your children, your friends, your colleagues, and yourself.
You don’t have to start with a half marathon (though that’s where I went wrong!). Try a simple “Walk ’n’ Talk”, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, a “Jog for Fun.” And for the competitive ones, lace up, hit Strava, and track that run. Just don’t forget the music.
Your Mini Movement Test
We love an assessment in education, so here’s mine for you: What’s your go-to song for each of these moments?
🎵 Motivation – The one that revs you up.
🎶 Movement – The one that gets you dancing.
💫 Mood – The one that puts a smile on your face.
🕰️ Moment – The one that takes you to your happy place.
Mmm… let me think!
Final Thoughts
Why not use a song to speed up that changing process?
Take requests for that fitness class to build connection and engagement.
Use music to connect with those less ‘sporty’ in your lesson.
Why not stretch your vocal chords once in a while – name that tune – to build better listening skills.
Movement matters. Music matters. People matter.
Responses