by Hansa Bhargava, MD I saw a child in my office the other day
who was having problems focusing in the classroom. As we talked,
her mother stated, “But you know what? When she comes back from
gymnastics, she seems so much sharper and is able to do her
homework quicker.” So can exercise help kids focus? There have
been several studies showing that exercise can help adults focus
and also puts them into a better mood. And a small study
published last August in a pediatric journal showed that just 20
minutes of exercise helped kids perform better at reading and
math. Because of studies like this, some schools such as Cliff
Valley School in Atlanta have initiated a program called Cardio
Club to start the day. In this free program, kids arrive 30
minutes before school and rotate through stations that focus on
cardio and core strength exercises. Great exercise, fun, and
focus for the day — what’s not to love? Have you heard of any
school programs that help kids tune in to the day with movement?
How else could we fit