Raising Smarter Children

When I speak to parents and school administrators, one of the many proven success strategies that comes up for raising smarter children is exercise.  In the book, there’s a whole section devoted to showing kids how to be brain and body smart, which quickly raises grades, test scores, and improves memory.

Yesterday, researchers at the University of Illinois, confirmed what other studies have shown for years,   “There is a positive link between physical activity, attention and achievement in children.”

The study showed that kids performed a full grade level better in reading comprehension after exercise!

It only makes sense.  How do you feel after exercise?  Those great feel good neurotransmitters are released in your brain, and your whole outlook on life improves.  Imagine what it does for kids, many of whom sit in rows of desks in a classroom for hours at a time.

There are so many benefits to exercise, just one of which is improved memory, attention and better grades.  How about the affect on those rising obesity levels?  Kids are healthier with more exercise.

So, it’s no wonder that the National PTA and other parent organizations are outraged over the fact that nearly 40% of elementary schools are reducing or have already eliminated recess, in favor of academics.

While science tells us otherwise, we’re actuallly dumbing down our kids simply by taking away one of the very things that can actually improve their grades and make them ’smarter’.

We all want smarter kids, but is taking away their exercise time the way to do it?  What do you think?

Tomorrow:  Exercises your kids can do in the house and even in school…right before a test, to engage their whole brain.

Remember, all kids are smart.

Warmly,

Pat Wyman and Erin Mavredakis, M.D.

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If you’d like 52 free learning tips, including some exercise strategies you can even use indoors, visit our sister site at http://www.HowToLearn.com and click on the free learning tips at the top of the page.