To the already known benefits of exercise on our physical and mental health, another surprising one could be added, since new research also reveals its potential as a teaching tool in childhood. Carried out by experts from the University of Groningen (Holland), the study indicates that children who move in coordination in math and language classes learn better than those who remain seated at their desks.
The conclusions of the work are based on the monitoring of 500 second and third primary students from twelve Dutch schools for two years. Researchers have found that children who, for example, jumped eight times when taught how much 2 by 4 scored better than those who learned multiplication tables with the traditional (and sedentary) method.
The researchers calculated that their improved performance was equivalent to receiving four months of after-school classes . This advantage was also appreciated in the spelling tests, but not, for example, in the reading tests. Experts deduce from this that physical activity improves academic tasks that involve repeating, memorizing and practicing.
What is not clear is why this striking result occurs: Perhaps it is due to the general benefits of exercise on brain function or mind-body coordination , the researchers conjecture in their article in the journal Pediatrics . In any case, they also point out that this new learning technique is worth exploring.
