Most of us are aware of the beneficial impact of exercise on our health, and that these same effects contribute to the well-being of our children. However, there are also numerous benefits of exercise on the cognitive development of children, including promoting their ability to attend and learn.
Multiple studies document the positive impact of exercise on children’s ability to attend and learn. Such studies have examined the impact of children engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise compared to peers who were not enrolled in fitness programs. Results indicate children were not only more physically fit as a result of the exercise but demonstrated more “attentional inhibition,” or the ability to block out irrelevant information and concentrate on the given task. There is also evidence that children who exercise regularly have more activity in the area of the brain associated with executive functioning (e.g. planning, organization, initiation, emotional control). Children who are more physically fit have also been found to have a larger hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory function, and perform better on tests of memory than less-fit peers. Children with higher levels of aerobic fitness have been seen to perform with more accuracy and faster reaction times on tests requiring concentration and attentional control.
Exercise can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment for children with Autism, in that it has been shown to reduce aggression, stereotyped and self-injurious behavior and purposeless wandering. Children who have a lower level of stereotypic and disruptive behaviors are in turn more prepared to learn and are more attuned to their environment.
Given the multitude of benefits associated with it, regular exercise should be something we strive to include in our child’s daily routine. This is especially important in the face of dwindling time devoted to exercise and movement during school hours. The best forms of exercise for children are things that they enjoy, and can be as simple as free, unstructured, physical play. Organized sports can be beneficial in additional ways (e.g. social-emotional) for children who are interested and motivated to participate. For children who are not naturally inclined towards engaging in intense physical activity, an additional investment is necessary on the part of parents. By devoting the time to create a fun and meaningful experience which incorporates movement and exercise, chances are your children will be more willing and motivated to engage in similar activities in the future.
Working With Autism is located at 16530 Ventura Blvd, Suite 510 in Encino. For more information, please call 818-582-2210 and visit www.workingwithautism.com.