Saudi Gazette All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It does not only make a child dull, but also deprives them of mental, social and emotional maturity. A recent research conducted and reported by a university in the Netherlands will be of great interest to parents, teachers, and educators in the Kingdom. A team of researchers at the university participated in 14 different studies, and they discovered that playing and physical activity boosts children's mental abilities. Amika Singh, a senior researcher at VU University in the Netherlands, reported in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine that physical activity is associated with better academic performance. Children are full of energy and they need to let it out. The only positive way they can do it is by playing as it helps children learn and develop themselves. It broadens their imagination and creativity, keeps their bodies physically active, improves their social skills, and helps perform better at school. The study involved two groups of randomly selected children. One group was allowed to play freely and the other group was requested to remain still, seated, and quiet. After subsequent assessment and evaluation in general skills and basic school subjects, the researchers found that the children who were allowed to play surpassed those children who were prevented from playing. The active children scored brilliantly in all subjects, but were phenomenal in Mathematics, English language, and reading. Singh explained the link between physical activity and mental prowess. She said, “Being more active improves blood flow to the brain, which provides more oxygen to cells involved in learning and attention. Exercise also boosts levels of certain hormones that can improve mood and fight stress, both of which can also provide a better learning environment for children.” She further added,“By participating in sports, children learn rules and learn to act appropriately in a social environment. Thus, their physical activeness translates better in classrooms too.They tend to get along better with teachers and classmates. Academic performance may just be the short-term benefit of exercise. There are a whole range of social and behavioral benefits that go beyond grades as well.” __
