Body Moving Activities To Boost Your Child’s Brain

New research has revealed a surprising truth about exercise: not only is it good for the body, but it also appears to improve the mind too. Scientists now agree that if you want your child to be smarter and learn better, then you need to get them moving! In this article, we look at the latest research and suggest some fun ways to help boost your child’s brain through exercise.

The Miracle Cure: Regular Exercise And Academic Performance

A growing number of studies from around the world all seem to be pointing to the same conclusion: that regular spells of aerobic exercise improve both the structure and functionality of the brain, improving everything from IQ to memory, attention and even reaction times.

One study, which looked specifically at the relationship between exercise and learning in pre-teen children, found that youngsters who participate in high to moderately intense physical activity on a regular basis performed much better at academic tasks such as maths and languages.

Exercise also seems to improve children’s memory and concentration levels overall, thereby enabling them to learn better in classroom settings. One study in the US found that school children who regularly took part in vigorous after-school activities such as sport showed noticeable improvements to their mental executive functions, including their ability to multi-task, block out distractions while listening and apply or manipulate information in their minds.

Other studies have also revealed the positive impact that exercise can have on children with ADHD, with several showing a link between physical activity and a reduction in the severity of symptoms such as moodiness and attention problems – encouraging news for both parents and teachers alike.

Put together, all this new evidence points to something surprising – that, like your heart, your brain is a bit like a muscle, and that regular exercise can improve both its structure and performance over time.

Why Does It Work?

Although the exact mechanisms behind the noticeable cognitive benefits of exercise are not fully understood, there are some theories about why exercise has both a direct and indirect effect on memory, concentration and thinking abilities.

One thing scientists do know for sure is that regular physical activity over a six to twelve month period can enlarge the size of certain parts of the brain, including the hippocampus – an area dedicated to memory and language function – and the basal ganglia, which is dedicated to executive functions like decision-making.

Other sections of the brain that seem to benefit are those involved in spacial memory and physical co-ordination. Strangely, though, sensory-motor functions also seem to affect a lot more than our ability to move and perform well physically – they also appear to aid learning abilities.

Another theory has to do with the growth of neurons and brain cells. Aerobic exercise seems to trigger new connections to form between neurons (a process that also occurs when we learn new things) and stimulate the growth of new brain cells, leading one Harvard scientist to label it ‘miracle gro for the brain’. The process appears to involve a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which acts like a sort of neurological fertiliser, improving the health of existing cells and neurons, and encouraging the growth of new ones.

Other Health Benefits Of Regular Exercise

In addition to these more direct effects on the brain, scientists also cite a number of indirect benefits such as improved sleep quality, reduced inflammation and lower stress levels, all of which can potentially have a positive effect on a child’s ability to think and function in the classroom.

On top of this, regular exercise also seems to have a positive effect on mood. During physical activity, we release a host of chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine – the body’s natural painkillers and anti-depressants. As well as brightening our outlooks, it turns out that these hormones also have a positive effect on learning and cognitive abilities. For instance, dopamine, along with another chemical called norepinephrine, are both known to boost attention, as well as improve alertness, perception and motivation levels, all of which can help children to perform better in the classroom.

Another bonus is that aerobic activity may also boost the immune system. A study carried out in 2014 by American researchers found a clear link between improved markers for immune system health and increased levels of exercise. And given the increased risk of illness created by groups of children being in close proximity to each other whilst at school and kindergarten, this is certainly worth bearing in mind. After all, the healthier children are, the less classes they’ll miss, so it’s all win-win!

Pump Up Your Child’s Brain With Regular Exercise

The revelation of this unexpected link between mind and body natural has some exciting implications. It suggests that we can actively improve the wellbeing and academic performance of our children just by introducing regular periods of physical activity or energetic play into their daily routines.

So, how much and what type of exercise fits the bill? According to scientists, the exercise needs to be aerobic in nature – that is, the type that gets the heart and lungs working. It also needs to be done on a regular basis if one is to get the cumulative benefits of better concentration levels and brain volume increases.

Here are some tips for how to get your kids moving more:

• Schedule exercise or play time into your children’s daily routine. This could include a trip to the local playground with some other moms and children from the local neighbourhood where children could be encouraged onto see-saws and slides etc., or it could be a swimming-based play date or a bike-riding outing to a local beauty spot. As long as children are outdoors, you can be sure they won’t keep still for long! Such activities also offer parents a great opportunity to indulge in healthy family-based activities that increase family bonding.
• Another benefit of outdoor play is that it offers plenty of opportunities to stimulate younger children’s sensory development, whilst also enabling children to get more fresh air and vitamin D from natural light. Outdoor activities can also help to encourage a love of nature and positive attitudes towards the environment.
• Canvassing head teachers to consider breaking up learning periods during the school day with regular intervals of play-based activities or physical education may be something else you want to consider. Not only does it allow children time to assimilate what they have learnt, but it also has the added benefit of enabling children to let off steam so that they are less disruptive or antsy in the classroom.
• Formal activities like ballet, gymnastics and so on can also provide your children with some structured types of activity that enable them to learn other things such as social and team skills, as well as the ability to understand rules etc. They may also give moms some much-needed downtime! A mix of different types of activities could also be useful, allowing your child to develop different aptitudes and physical strengths. So for instance, a swimming lesson might be great for developing physical stamina whilst gymnastics or dance might sharpen co-ordination and spacial awareness. Team-based activities like ball sports could improve social skills, as well as reaction times and hand-eye coordination, whilst martial arts might be good for building self-discipline, core strength and mental focus.
• A mix of pursuits, some of which play to your child’s strengths and/or interests but also provide your child with the opportunity to improve areas of weakness, may be a good way to go. That way, you can satisfy both your need as a parent to give your child the best start in life whilst also enabling your child to experience a sense of achievement and get some clear satisfaction/enjoyment out of what they are doing.

Conclusion

All the research shows that when your child’s heart is pumping, that they are also working out their brains. Given that there are so many positive benefits to physical activity, it seems like a no-brainer to try and include it as part of any child’s daily regimen.

Children have an innate desire to play, explore, be curious, challenge themselves and be mentally stimulated. Channelling these natural instincts and inclinations into positive experiences through a mixture of both physical activity and education has the potential to help your child develop the confidence, motivation, and competence to move and learn that will become a way of life.