We all feel better after going to the gym, well before the aches start anyway! But did you know that you are more able to learn as a result of the exercise you have just done?
There is research that shows that exercise not only warms up muscles it also warms up brain circuitry making it easier and quicker for your brain to process information. More exercise = more learning, but the timing has to be right. Dr. Charles Hillman, a researcher in Illinois,found results that suggested that this extra brain power only lasts for about an hour after any exercise. So, that after school football practice may not be as helpful as an early morning run round the block.
Some schools have organized early morning exercise programs. In my, inner city school, the children would run around the playground and collect points for each lap. They could use these points for treats in the classroom later. This program was successful during the summer but in the winter, when mornings are often wet and dark, it was more difficult to get children outside.
Schools in Finland have 15 minute play for every hour of class, says Anne McIlroy of the Globe and Mail, and they outperform children from around the world.
What can you do to help your child get exercise? It might be difficult to get your child to exercise in the morning before going to school. Time is precious in the morning as everyone is hurrying to get ready for their day. But there are some things you can do.
* Ask the teachers in your child’s school if they can start an early morning exercise program, or volunteer to start one yourself if you have time.
* Make sure that your child has some exercise before they start homework, and that they take exercise breaks every hour.
* Start and exercise program yourself – nothing better than showing your child how much you value exercise to get them interested.
* Tell your child about this research, challenge him or her to see if 15 minutes of exercise helps their thinking.
* Get a heart rate monitor so your child will know when the exercise is working to increase heart rate and blood flow. Check with your local gym to find out what your child’s heart rate should be during exercise.
There is more to learning than sitting at a desk. Get out there, walk and run and learn!
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