The second ITI learning principle states that LEARNING IS AN INSEPARABLE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BRAIN AND THE BODY.

The brain is an amazing thinking machine, but in order for it to function optimally, the brain needs to work in partnership with the entire body.

This principle has two sub-sections. The first is that emotion is the gatekeeper to learning and performance. Our emotions, or what we feel about what we are learning and how we are learning it, greatly impacts what is actually learned. For instance, if your first learning experiences with math were unpleasant or uninteresting and you felt unsuccessful, chances are you became discouraged and made the decision that you could not, or did not care about learning math. On the other hand, if your first experiences with learning how to read were positive, encouraging and successful, there is great likelihood that you went on to increase your skills and become a lifelong reader. The tremendous impact of emotions on learning highlights the critical challenge that teachers and parents have in helping students develop positive attitudes about learning.

The second part of principle number two is that movement enhances learning. Only organisms that move from place to place require a brain and a large part of the human brain is devoted to organizing action, both physical and mental. Traditionally classrooms have been viewed as successful if students were seated, quiet and listening to the teacher. Of course there are many times when this is required and necessary. However, research now confirms that allowing students to move about in the classrooms, work in groups to solve problems, interact and discuss with their classmates, and work in teams to do experiments or develop projects are also very important to the learning process. In addition, developing special movement skills such as balance, coordination, running, climbing, jumping, ball handling, etc. are vital to the brain energy, increasing circulation and revitalization.