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Cincinnati Public preschool uses Alexa to incorporate movement into class

245 views · Published 6 November 2018 · 2:34 · Indexed 8 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Cincinnati Public Schools have hired a new gym teacher this year. Her name is Alexa, and she works for free and is always available.

During reading time in Ms. Blowers' classroom, when her 3 and 4-year-olds need to get their energy out, she knows who to call.

Amazon's popular smart-speaking device, Alexa, now leads gym class. Ms. Blowers provides some direction too, of course. 

The program was set up and designed by the local nonprofit Mission 2 Move. Mission 2 Move is a nonprofit that aims to raise academic performance, improve social health and combat childhood obesity through the use of movement.

Founder Sara Habib says it fills a void in schools that can't afford a gym teacher. Plus, it's tailored for each classroom and even pops up a reminder at a set time. 

Habib said, "Movement can fit in these 30, 60, 90-second intervals that happen throughout the day. This is just making it easier on the teacher. We want to remove that burden that the teacher has to remember. We want to make it as easy as possible."

This is part of a pilot program. So right now, there are only three Alexa devices at the Rising Stars Preschool. The hope is that by the next school year, it’ll be in all 124 classrooms in the Cincinnati Public Schools system.

With Mission 2 Move's help, it's only $40. That’s the cost of an Alexa device. So far, the experience is priceless, and Principal Jaren Finney can see the benefits. 

"It provides the students a learning opportunity where they can get gym on a preschool level. It also provides them with an experience for a cool down where they are having a rough day or they need to rethink their day. And [it's] giving them strategy through breathing movement," said Finney.

CPS is currently enrolling preschool students for the 2019-2020 school year.

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