At Educational Pathways Academy (EPA), Physical Education is an important part of supporting the growth and development of students with learning differences. Because movement plays a vital role in brain development, enhancing skills like focus, self-regulation, and coordination, our PE program thoughtfully incorporates structured, multisensory activities that not only build physical strength and confidence, but also support academic success and emotional growth.

Developing Skills Through Movement

A recent activity in PE classes at our South-Frey Campus perfectly illustrates how this philosophy is brought to life. Through an engaging, hands-on experience, students activated their visual, kinesthetic, and balance systems as they built confidence and mastered new skills in a supportive environment.

Student, builds physical and cognitive skills, through PE, at Educational Pathways Academy, a private school, for dyslexia, and learning disabilities, in Florida

The activity involved rotating through four stations, each featuring a different object to strike—a balloon, a whiffle ball, a birdie, a tennis ball, or a beanbag—using an implement such as a paddle or racket. Each station presented its own unique challenge, encouraging students to fine-tune their movements and control.

This activity helped students:

Practice control and coordination by adjusting the force used on each object, which helps strengthen motor skills necessary for tasks like handwriting and other fine motor activities.
Develop spatial awareness by recognizing personal space and moving safely, which aids in both physical activity and classroom navigation.
Strengthen focus and motor planning through intentional practice in a structured setting, improving the ability to follow instructions and stay on task.
Engage in non-locomotor skills like striking and balancing in one spot, which builds body awareness and supports self-regulation in the classroom.
Improve visual tracking by following the movement of each object, helping students develop eye coordination—an essential skill for reading and writing.

By rotating through each station on a timer, students stayed active and engaged while also practicing important skills like following routines and transitioning between tasks. These foundational abilities are especially helpful for students with executive functioning challenges, including planning, organizing, and completing tasks—key for long-term success in school and beyond.

Through engaging activities, PE at EPA nurtures more than just physical fitness—it builds essential developmental skills. Multisensory experiences and structured routines help students grow in focus, coordination, confidence, and emotional regulation. At our school, PE is more than movement—it’s purposeful, skill-building, and fun!