Kids Brain Games Boost Thinking Skills
Research suggests that just 5 minutes of jumping and clapping can sharpen a child’s thinking, with 23 randomized studies involving 2,857 children finding that doing a cognitive task while moving increased attention and self-control. These studies found that movement can be a powerful tool in developing executive functions, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.
Executive Functions and Movement
Executive functions are a set of skills that are essential for school readiness and are related to hyperactive behavior and attention problems in preschoolers. When a child engages in physical activity, their cerebral blood flow increases, catecholamine levels rise, and the connections between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum are strengthened. This can have a lasting impact on their ability to focus and learn.
A short brain break for kids between school and homework can give them an effect that lasts for the next half hour, and repeated day after day, it can change the network setup itself. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor, responsible for synaptic plasticity, is also increased when physical exertion is combined with a cognitive task.
Types of Movement
There are several types of movement that can be beneficial for children, including cross-lateral movements, balance with an additional task, and rhythm and fine motor skills. Cross-lateral movements, such as touching the right hand to the left knee, can help to improve coordination and focus. Balance with an additional task, such as standing on one leg while counting backward, can help to improve cognitive flexibility.
Related: No Link Found Between Circumcision And Autism
Rhythm and fine motor skills, such as clapping and finger exercises, can help to improve working memory and reading fluency. These types of movements can be done in a variety of settings and do not require any special equipment. They can also provide relief from stress and anxiety.
Dosage and Effectiveness
Research has shown that the frequency of movement sessions is more important than the duration.
Regular movement can have a significant impact on a child’s cognitive development, and it’s not necessary to spend hours each day on these activities. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference, and it’s worth finding a movement that works for your child and sticking to it.
They can make a big difference.
