Physical activity and reading are two of the most important brain-boosting activities that can enhance a child’s intellectual development and creative potential.
Exercise is the most cost-effective way to boost brain power
To study the changes that exercise can bring to the brain, scientists asked children to engage in rhythmic physical activity three times a week, 30 minutes each time, for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, they found that the children’s creativity and practical abilities had improved significantly.
These results suggest that physical activity is not only beneficial for health but also plays a crucial role in brain development.
According to the book “Exercise Transforms the Brain”, daily physical activity not only enhances the connections between brain cells but also improves the leadership capabilities of the frontal lobe, the part of the brain often referred to as the “director”.
Daily physical activity enhances connections between brain cells.
Additionally, exercise strengthens the connection between the frontal lobe and the thalamus, improving memory and attention. This highlights the strong link between physical activity and the brain’s ability to learn.
The period between the ages of 3 and 5 is the most critical for the development of the parietal lobe, also known as the “motor brain”. During this stage, children start to engage in planned physical activities, develop their motor skills, and form healthy habits. If children are encouraged to participate in physical activities from an early age, they are more likely to develop positive exercise habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
The most important factor is the low cost of exercise. Parents can take their children to open spaces, parks, go cycling or running, or engage in their favorite sports.
Reading is a great investment in brain development
There is a scene in the movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, adapted from a true story, that highlights the power of reading.
On her first day of work, a black maid is astonished to see a room filled with books in her employer’s house. She asks him: “Have you read all these books?” His affirmative response makes her realize that knowledge can indeed change one’s destiny. That night, she decides to make her children read two books a week and share their thoughts about them at the end of each week.
Reading to children can stimulate the brain to release endorphins and oxytocin, creating a sense of warmth and security.
As a result of following her mother’s instructions, one of her children goes from being a low-performing student to a top performer and eventually becomes a world-renowned neurosurgeon, achieving many medical miracles.
Investing in reading pays off handsomely. To give your child a good start, mothers should make it a daily habit to read to their children, revisiting their favorite books that support brain development.
During childhood, reading to children can stimulate the brain to release endorphins and oxytocin, creating a sense of warmth and security.
This love of reading can provide a colorful backdrop to a child’s life, giving them strength to face future challenges.
Moreover, when listening, a child’s brain silently absorbs pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, activating neural pathways and creating an expansive network of connections.
Reading is a great investment in brain development.
It is important to guide children towards independent reading, starting with books that interest them and gradually exploring a wide range of genres to enrich their foundational knowledge.
When children transform the knowledge and experiences of others into their own through reading, they are better equipped to face a brighter future.