• by Natalie Egan
• August 1, 2024

The Cognitive Benefits of Staying Active

At Snapdragon Preschool, we believe that learning should be fun, but that’s not the only reason that we play and stay active throughout the day.  Encouraging preschoolers to stay active throughout the school day has significant cognitive benefits that contribute to their overall development. Here are a few key advantages of Snapdragon’s physically active curriculum and how it is designed to support cognitive development in your child:

1. Improved Concentration and Attention: Regular physical activity has been shown to enhance concentration and attention span in young children. Engaging in active play and movement activities throughout the day increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, which supports optimal cognitive function. This, in turn, helps your child to stay focused and attentive during learning activities.
2. Enhanced Memory and Learning: Physical activity stimulates the release of chemicals in the brain that promote the growth of new neurons and strengthen neural connections. This can lead to improved memory retention and enhanced learning abilities. By incorporating movement and active play into the curriculum, our preschoolers can better absorb and retain information.
3. Boosted Problem-Solving Skills: Social sports often involve navigating obstacles, making quick decisions, and adapting to changing situations. Our gymnastics and sport skills experiences provide valuable opportunities for your child to develop problem-solving skills. Engaging in active play helps children think critically, analyze situations, and find creative solutions, which are essential cognitive skills for academic and real-life challenges.
4. Enhanced Executive Functioning: Executive functions, such as self-control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are crucial for success in academics and in life as a whole. Regular physical activity has been linked to the development and improvement of these executive functions in young children. By staying active throughout the day, our preschoolers strengthen their ability to regulate their behavior, manage impulses, and switch between tasks effectively.

So, if physical activity throughout the school day has such far reaching cognitive benefits, doesn’t it make sense to choose a preschool that adopts physical activity and play as a cornerstone of its daily routine? At Snapdragon Preschool we improve concentration and attention, enhance memory and learning, boost problem-solving skills, and strengthen executive functioning by incorporating sports, movement and active play into our daily curriculum.