How Exercise Helps Children Learn

Physically fit children have an easier time learning. Research shows that they concentrate better, identify visual stimuli faster, and can apply more of their cognitive resources to a task for a longer period of time than sedentary children can. They pay more attention after a period of exercise. So combining exercise with lessons you want your child to absorb just makes sense. They not only enjoy it more but they will learn it faster and remember it better. Add to this the research that shows that they will also be better behaved, have higher self-esteem, less depression and anxiety, and perform better in school.

Imaging studies have shown that exercise increases blood flow to the portion of the brain that controls memory. It also encourages the formation of new cells in the brain as well as keeping existing cells healthy and vital. So in addition to helping build strong bones and muscles, improving body composition i.e. helping us not grow fat, and improving our cardiovascular and blood lipid profiles; exercise apparently helps us intellectually as well. Does your intuition really tell you that children learn best when confined to a desk?

Exercising Values is based on research on learning and not just on physical fitness though that is equally important and that research is equally compelling. Parents are in a unique position to work one-on-one with their children to bring out their best. Aerobic exercise just twice a week will cut an adult's risk of general dementia in half and reduce their risk of Alzheimer's by 60%. Imagine what an advantage it is to bring a life time of fitness to your later years. Investing in your own health and that of your child now may save you a lot of anguish and lost keys later.