Dive Brief:
- A new consensus statement from a group of international experts published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine argues physical activity for school-aged children helps them academically.
- The Los Angeles Times reports researchers in the U.S., Canada and Europe studied scientific and medical research about the impact of recess, physical education classes, organized sports and play, finding all moderate intensity exercise boosts brain function, cognition and scholastic performance.
- While this can help students in school, the benefits of exercise are also social, psychological and physical, with goal-oriented physical activity additionally contributing to certain life skills and core values like respect and social responsibility, according to the report.
Dive Insight:
Recess has been a perennial fight in K-8 education discussions. Should schools take time away from academic classes to allow students time to play? Even physical education has been the target of funding cuts in the most dire circumstances. But the latest research indicates what can seem like a low priority because of a focus on academics should, in fact, be a high priority for the same reason.
The same is true for play-based activities in kindergarten. Some teachers and administrators believe the key to catching up children who show up to kindergarten with fewer math and literacy skills is to sit them down at desks and give them worksheets. But research shows children engaged in play-based kindergarten programs get the double advantage of being on par or ahead of their peers, academically, and also more likely to be well-adjusted, socially.