Importance of Physical Activity & Learning
Physical activity and early learning
Opportunities for young children to engage in physical activity are important for motor skill, cognitive, and social development. Children can build friendships, learn to share, resolve conflicts, and develop leadership skills through physical activity, even as young as 3-5 years old.
Physical activity enhances children's cognitive functions related to attention, memory, and self-regulation. Research suggests that children respond faster and with greater accuracy to cognitive tasks after participating in physical activity. These cognitive tasks are critical for developing skills in math and reading.
There is an increased potential for neural networks when words are taught in context with movement ("learning by doing"), particularly for developing emergent literacy skills such as phonological awareness foundational for reading success.
Active play with learning elements:
1. While reading a story, act out key scenes with movements like running, jumping, or stretching to engage with the narrative.
2. Go on nature walks and identify different plants, trees, or insects, incorporating movement like squatting to look closer or reaching for the leaves.
3. Write letters on an index card and tape them to small cones. Call out a letter and have your child take turns kicking the ball to the corresponding cone.
References:
Becker, D. R., McClelland, M. M., Loprinzi, P., & Trost, S. G. (2014). Physical activity, self-regulation, and early academic achievement in preschool children. Early Education & Development, 25(1), 56-70.
Crumbley, C. A., Ledoux, T. A., & Johnston, C. A. (2020). Physical activity during early childhood: The importance of parental modeling. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 14(1), 32-35.
Zeng, N., Ayyub, M., Sun, H., Wen, X., Xiang, P., & Gao, Z. (2017). Effects of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in early childhood: a systematic review. BioMed Research International, 2017(1), 2760716.
