3-3: Why Movement Matters: How Body, Mind, and Emotion Drive Language Learning

1. Introduction

Did you know that something as simple as pulling a joystick toward you can change your subconscious attitudes? In one fascinating study, participants who pulled a joystick closer whenever they saw an image of a Black person (and pushed it away for white faces) ended up with significantly more positive feelings toward Black individuals. This powerful example shows how closely our physical movements connect to shifts in mindset—and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to learning—especially language learning—our bodies, emotions, and thoughts are deeply linked, and understanding that link can transform how we pick up new skills.

2. From Reflex to Adaptive Responses

The Evolutionary Breakthrough

In his work, Beyond Order, Jordan Peterson explores how our brains evolved from simple stimulus-response systems (think of basic reflexes) to more adaptive networks. Early life forms had sensory nerves that perceived the environment and motor nerves that reacted automatically. But as things got more complex, organisms developed a “middle layer” of processing. This let them pause, evaluate, and then choose how to respond—rather than just reflexively reacting every single time.

Why It Matters for Learning

This evolutionary change paved the way for flexible thinking. Creatures (including us) could base decisions not only on external triggers but also on internal states—like stress, hunger, or memory of past experiences. Fast-forward to the modern human brain, and you see a powerful system that can handle emotions, language, creativity, and more. It’s no longer just about survival; it’s about thriving and adapting in ever-changing environments.

3. Emotions and Communication

Feel Before You Speak

Over time, our increasingly sophisticated nervous systems gave rise to emotions. Think of emotions as quick evaluations of what’s happening around (and within) us. Once we learned to connect our emotional responses to symbolic language—words—we became capable of sharing abstract ideas. This leap from feeling to speaking changed everything. Suddenly, we could cooperate on a large scale, pass down knowledge, and create cultures rather than just reacting to threats.

Moving Beyond Survival

Language allowed humans to plan ahead, reflect on the past, and learn from one another more efficiently than ever before. We see its impacts everywhere—from complex social structures to scientific breakthroughs. Underneath it all, though, remains the same formula: perception, emotion, movement (including speech), and then a new response based on the outcome.

4. Schemas: The Building Blocks of Thought

From Sensory-Motor to Abstract

Jean Piaget introduced the idea of “schemas”—mental frameworks that help us categorize and interpret information. In the earliest stages of childhood (the “Sensory-Motor Period”), kids build these schemas through direct, physical exploration of the world. They see, touch, taste, and hear, making sense of new objects and experiences in real time. As they grow, these frameworks expand, leading to more abstract thinking.

Language as a Schema

Language itself can be seen as a giant schema. We start with basic sounds and simple associations (“dog,” “water”) and gradually refine those ideas into ever more complex concepts. Even as adults, whenever we learn a new word in a foreign language, we’re adjusting existing schemas or forming entirely new ones—often through an active process of pairing what we sense and how we move our bodies (talking, writing, gesturing).

5. Case Studies in Sensory-Based Language Learning

Helen Keller

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing at 18 months old. With teacher Anne Sullivan’s guidance, she famously connected the tactile sensation of running water with the spelled-out letters “W-A-T-E-R.” In that moment, she realized that words represent real-life experiences—a breakthrough that led her to become a trailblazing author and advocate.

Laura Bridgman

Laura Bridgman lost her vision, hearing, smell, and taste at age two, relying almost entirely on touch to interact with the world. Using raised letters labeled on everyday objects, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe taught her how language could link physical objects to words. This tactile approach built the foundation for Laura’s understanding of more abstract ideas.

Marie Heurtin

Similar to Helen Keller and Laura Bridgman, Marie Heurtin—born both deaf and blind—gained language through consistent, patient tactile engagement. Guided by Sister Marguerite at the Larnay convent, Marie learned to read letters with her fingertips and eventually formed words and sentences. Her story reaffirms the incredible resilience of the human brain in adapting to new ways of learning.

Takeaway: Even without hearing or sight, these individuals developed not just basic communication skills but advanced thinking. Their progress hinged on sensory and motor inputs—touch, especially—and the patience and creativity of their educators.

6. Movement’s Role in Cognitive and Emotional Shifts

The Joystick Experiment Revisited

That joystick study we mentioned earlier (by psychologist Kerry Kawakami) brilliantly demonstrates how small physical actions can shift deeper biases. Repeatedly “pulling closer” can create a subconscious sense of approach or acceptance. Apply that to language learning: if you physically interact—gesturing, moving around—while practicing, you can steer your brain into a more welcoming stance toward the new language.

Learning in Motion

• Children: Watch any toddler picking up words. They’re rarely sitting still; they run around, touch everything, and mimic the sounds they hear. Movement fuels curiosity, emotional involvement, and memory.

• Athletes Abroad: Professional athletes often pick up foreign languages quickly because they’re fully active—communicating, playing, living the language. This physical and social immersion often outpaces traditional classroom learning.

7. Integrating Body, Mind, and Emotion for Language Success

Breathing and Mood

Don’t underestimate simple actions like breathing. Slow, mindful inhales and exhales can reduce anxiety, sharpen concentration, and help you soak up new vocabulary. In essence, you’re priming your body to listen and absorb.

Subtle Cues that Matter

Tiny movements—smiling when you master a phrase, gently tensing your fingers when you hear a new vocabulary word—can heighten emotional engagement. That little spark can cement new language in your memory more effectively than rote memorization ever could.

Practical Strategies

• Movement Breaks: Every 15–20 minutes, get up and walk around while reviewing new words.

• Role-Play: Act out dialogues, using hand gestures and facial expressions.

• Breathing Exercises: Before a study session, take a few deep, calming breaths to center your mind and body.

8. Conclusion

Human beings have journeyed from reflex-driven creatures to adaptive learners capable of transforming how we think, feel, and communicate. Movement, emotion, and sensory input are key pieces of that puzzle, whether you’re a toddler learning to talk or an adult tackling a new language. Here’s what to remember:

1. Embrace Emotion: Your feelings aren’t distractions; they’re catalysts for deeper engagement.

2. Stay Active: Physical movement—from gestures to breathing—locks in learning.

3. Use All Your Senses: Reading and listening are powerful, but don’t forget touch, movement, and even taste or smell to make concepts stick.