How Physical Activity Helps Kids Focus
After a full day of sitting in classrooms, focusing, and following rigid structures, children often arrive at afterschool programs with a lot of built-up energy. Movement is not only a way for students to release some of that energy; it is an essential part of their overall well-being and development.
Moving after school helps increase blood flow to the brain, which can improve focus, memory, and overall mood. When students first arrive at our program, they are given time to play to help burn off some of the energy they’ve stored throughout the day. This playtime allows them to have fun and serves as an important part of the transition from the school day to program time. It gives students a moment to relax while also setting them up for a more successful afterschool experience. Releasing excess energy helps students get into a better headspace to tackle lessons and complete their homework.
In our last blog post, we discussed social and emotional learning (SEL) as an important aspect of child development and a key part of our programming. The structured and supervised playtime we offer allows students to practice their SEL skills. Whether students are playing a group game or participating in a structured activity, movement creates opportunities to practice taking turns, handling winning and losing, and resolving conflicts in positive ways. These moments help children build confidence, resilience, and strong peer relationships.