Move It!

I had a conversation with an educator recently, and she was talking about how important it is for kids to be able to sit still and learn. Now, is it valuable for kids to be able to sit at a desk while they’re taking a test? Sure! But I think it’s critical to remember the role of movement when it comes to really integrating what we’re learning.

Increased blood flow and brain activity

When you move your body your blood is bringing more oxygen and nutrients straight to your brain! A 2011 study by Ratey and Loehr showed that exercise stimulates the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, improving memory and learning capacity.

Emotional Regulation

If you find your child struggles with stress and anxiety, movement can help! Not only can movement help regulate those emotions, it can improve their overall mood and enhance their focus. Stress can reduce the brain’s ability to encode and retain new information. This well-regulated place is the best state for our kids to be in for them to learn. 

Synaptic plasticity

Synaptic what? Synaptic plasticity is our brain’s ability to form new connections, and exercise enhances that! Several studies have shown that even light physical activity improved performance for tasks requiring attention and memory.

Creativity and movement

Have you ever had the experience of writer's block, only to take a walk and suddenly inspiration strikes? That’s because movement can stimulate creativity and problem-solving. If your child is struggling to answer a question or is stuck on a problem, get them moving and see if they can come back with a fresh and innovative approach.

Kinesthetic learners

Do you have a kid who learns best while moving? This is a specific learning style that does best with hands-on activities, and when they can move their bodies it helps them gain a deeper understanding and have increased comprehension of the topic. Research by Candler (2013) saw an increase in math test scores for kids who were engaged in movement.

What types of activity count?

Anything! Walking, riding bikes, dancing, climbing, aerobic exercise - just get your body out of your chair and move. Extra points if you’re barefoot (grounding)! 

You’ve got this - let’s go make some Myo Magic! 

Ratey, J. J., & Loehr, J. E. (2011). The positive impact of physical activity on the brain. Journal of Applied Sports Psychology, 23(4), 47–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2011.558305

Candler, C. (2013). Effects of physical activity on academic performance: A study of schoolchildren. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(4), 1032–1040. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032543