Can Exercise make us Smarter?

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/phys-ed-can-exercise-make-kids-smarter/?emc=eta1

According to this recent article in the NY Times, there are recent studies showing that its not the exercise that makes us smarter but the physical connections that enable us to think and intellectualize that are made stronger by physical activity.

There is no doubt that physical and outdoor activity of any level are a positive influence on a growing child. Recess happens in schools the world over, even in third world countries where the academics are limited, the importance of children getting out and burning off energy is never discounted. So the article itself doesn't seem to be claiming that this activity makes kids actually smarter, merely that it is a significant part of creating a healthy mind. The studies prove without a shadow of a doubt that physical effort strengthens the body and makes the mind sharper.

How schools manage to make due without any specific space or format for free outdoor play is unbelievable. At my older child's first school there was no recess. At first it became obvious that being in an urban area, this parochial school simply did not have the space.They had a full gym but this was only available certain times of the day and certain days of the week. But as time went on, as a parent, it became obvious that the funding and organization had never been put in place to put the playground in the best place; the rooftop. It took over 2 years to just get the organization, the permits, the paperwork in place to finally get it built, even with a parent contractor! The public school my children go to now is also experiencing a recess-free period. Supposedly there is a beautiful new, state of the art school yard with ball field, track and tree going in now. However, as a parent, the decision to start construction in the few weeks before school started is highly questionable! The children are forced, in beautiful fall weather, to alternate between watching movies in the auditorium, and playing in the small fenced in 'garden' area in the front of the building! I am shocked that children are expected to appreciate the sacrifice they're making when all they really want to do is run and jump and play.

Maybe because I am the parent of boys I never underestimate the power of play. When my kids were younger I used to equate outdoor play with tossing the tennis ball for a puppy, they could never get enough and in fact, seemed to crave it like nourishment. Hopefully, this article will only go to prove what the parent of young children learn at the onset of the toddling years, that a strong body can help a strong mind grow.