An Einstein or a Newton is Every Parent’s Desire! But, How do We Work Towards It?

A Game of Football Develops Competitive Spirit & Activates Brain Cells

How many schools in India give priority to physical education and allocate reasonable time for it in the time table?  Very few! This itself proves the status or importance of physical fitness in our nation. Schools are meant to feed the brains but not the body. The competitive world has forced teachers to improve quality of education and allocate maximum time for subjective knowledge sparing not even 30 minutes daily for physical education.

Even with India being among the top five countries leading in obesity/overweight, we have not taken any step to increase activity time for our children. We want our kid to be an Einstein or a Newton but don’t bother about their physical health which will alone help children excel in academics too. It’s high time that we, as a society, realize our mistakes and play a vital role in improving their physical as well as cognitive fitness by insisting our children to be more active and move around. But what is the logic behind activity and intelligence quotient?

• Firstly, exercise aids in optimal blood flow throughout the body, provides brain with ample oxygen for optimized function and promotes brain cell growth. Read more on how exercise intertwines with brain activation at www.firsteatright.com.
• Research also proves that aerobic activity activates the size of the hippocampus (part of the brain responsible for verbal memory and learning).
  ​

Improved blood flow, cell growth and brain size due to increased physical activity triggers the brain resulting in better memory, concentration and performance, all of which are required for improved academic performance. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and at least 150 minutes of teacher-led physical education at school every week to optimize physical, mental and emotional well-being of the body.
​
At certain times, it might not be possible for physical activity at school. Try to incorporate these small tips to keep your child moving and active through the day:

1. Form workstations where the child can stand or sit on a balance ball.
2. Recess period can involve small active games or activities that makes every child participate in it.
3. After every period, ensure that children have some physical movement such as stretching or light exercises to remain flexible and recharge their body.
4. Parents must be educated on the importance of physical activity at home too. Physical activity does not mean exercise only. It can be anything such as a game of hide and seek, football or hopscotch.
5. Before any test, new class period or any other activity in school, create a list of top five exercises to perform to raise heart and blood flow.

Kids Sitting on a Yoga Ball in a Workstation

​​Instructing children alone to be active will not help us reach any milestones. We adults must make physical activity a part of our lives so that our children follow in our footsteps. This helps kids not only in their physical health but also to improve behavior, intelligence and academic performance. Kids will be healthy, intelligent and smart apart from being active too.

---