Moving Children To Learn: Tips For Parents by Mary Mokris, Ph.D. (NAPSA)—Whetherit’s danc- ing, running or just playing outside, it’s a smart idea to keep kids moving—and for more reasons than you might expect. Recent studies point to a link between learning and movement. Many experts agree that children who are active more easily grasp concepts taught in school. In fact, one Canadian study showed that children who partici- pated in five hours of vigorous physical activity a week had stronger academic performance in math, English, natural sciences, and French than children with only two hours of physical activity per week. Additionally, a study of 3rd- gerade children who participated in dance activities found that the kids improved their reading skills by 13 percent over six months, while their more sedentary peers showed a decrease of 2 percent. So what are the smartest ways Studies show that active children might be better learners. to stimulate children’s minds. Take to the backyard and start a role-playing game such as “jun- gle,” where children take on the identity of different animals. Ask children to behave like a lion or a to get kids moving? At Kumon monkey. Later, children can read more about the animals and perfect their roles the next time they to boost their reading and math Get Involved Children learn by watching Math and Reading Centers, we give students the tools they need skills. We suggest the following tips: MakeIt Fun Encourage your children to play fun games that includecriti- cal thinking, as well as physical activity. Games as simple as hideand-seek force children to think strategically, but also require plenty of running. Hopscotch, jump rope and even freeze tag (where children “freeze” when they’re tagged by the person who is “it”) can also be beneficial. Stir Creative Juices Role-playing can be a fun way play. their parents, so try to stay active and play with your children frequently. Be sure to ask them questions about the games you play and encourage them to use their imaginations while running around. Try a game such as “airport,” where your child is a plane circling a runway and you give him directions to turn left or right. For more information, visit www.kumon.com or call (800) ABC-MATH. Dr. Mary Mokris is an educa- tion specialist for Kumon Math and Reading Centers.
