Four teachers at Ayrancılar Adnan Menderes Primary School, Gül Göç, Çisil Edis, Gamze Çelik Toprak, and Enver Ekinci, have implemented the idea of “morning dances” to make the school more enjoyable and especially to prevent children from being late to class. Believing that it could be beneficial against technology addiction and sedentary lifestyle, students gather in the schoolyard in the mornings. The teachers then take the stage and the music starts playing, with the students trying to keep up with their teachers’ dance moves.
Since the mid-term break, the interest of students in the activity has been quite high. Gül Göç stated that they were inspired by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s saying that education begins with loving the child. Emphasizing that they prioritize the happiness of the children, Göç remarked: “We want to be teachers who enter not only the classroom but also the hearts. When we started this activity, we focused on the idea that children learn through play. They not only learn lessons but also rules through games. Through this activity, they learned to move together and become individuals harmonious with life. They gained self-confidence. We are very happy, and the children are also very happy.”
Tevfik Fikret Çiftçi emphasized the importance of students and teachers being happy for quality education and stated that they are trying to act with this understanding. He mentioned that the zumba activity before the lessons is very popular among students and they want to continue this work. Çisil Edis and Gamze Çelik Toprak expressed their satisfaction in being part of an enjoyable project. Third-grade student Kumsal Sarıçalı said that they were excited when they first started the zumba activity but have overcome this feeling. She added, “Now I can’t wait to come to school. During this activity, we all want to be at the front of the class. When I go home, I practice the dance moves, preparing my energy for sleep.”
Students İbrahim Yıldız, Berfu Özlü, Nevzat Efe Diremsiz, and Sema Sultan Şen stated that they love the zumba activity and thanked their teachers and school administration for starting it. The teachers’ aim is to win the hearts of the children and they are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. They also want to address the issue of children being late to school with zumba, as they noticed that students are so eager to come to school for the activity that they ask every day if they will be doing it. By promoting unity through fun activities like zumba, the teachers hope to create a harmonious and positive learning environment for the students.
Overall, the zumba activity at Ayrancılar Adnan Menderes Primary School has not only become a fun and energetic way to start the day but has also positively impacted the students’ enthusiasm for learning and attending school. The teachers’ dedication to making education enjoyable and effective by incorporating activities that promote movement and teamwork is commendable. The students’ feedback and enthusiasm for the zumba activity reflect its success in fostering a happy and engaging school environment. By prioritizing the well-being and happiness of students and teachers, the school is setting a positive example of how joyful and holistic approaches to education can lead to positive outcomes for everyone involved.
