Enhancing Children’s Cognition With Physical Activity Games Book

There are proven scientific parallels between physical activity and cognitive development in adolescent students. Explore these links in this book, find examples of physical activities that foster cognitive development, and learn how to tailor games specific to younger students to achieve positive results.

Linking Mind and Body

This book is designed help teachers explore research linking physical activity and cognitive development. Stimulating games and activities require problem solving, decision making, communication, engagement, and more to develop a student’s cognition. This mental growth is further reinforced in studies and classroom learning, so students can achieve superior cognitive abilities and lead active lives. Teachers referencing this book will be able shape activities to boost these traits.

This 256-page book is broken into 3 parts focusing on the link between physical activity and cognitive development in children. Part I focuses on the proven research between physical activity and cognition. Part II helps teachers translate research into practice within their own curriculum. Part III provides examples of activities that emphasize contextual inference, mental control, and discovery.

Contents

Preface

Foreword

Part I. Physical Activity and Mental Development

• Chapter 1. Understanding Children’s Mental Development
  • Mental Development
  • Skill and the Trajectory of Cognitive Development
  • Understanding Children’s Development From Multiple Points of View
  • Implications for Educators
• Chapter 2. How Movement Influences Children’s Mental Development
  • Children’s Physical Activity
  • Physical Activity in Natural, Educational, and Recreational Settings
  • How Physical Activity and Exercise Enhance Children’s Cognition
  • How Physical Activity Benefits Children’s Cognition and Academics
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 3. How Movement Games Help Children Think and Learn
  • Learning
  • What Influences the Shape of the Learning Curve?
  • Mental Energy and Children’s Learning
  • Developmental Tasks and Readiness to Learn
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 4. Motivating Children to Learn by Playing
  • Motivation to Play Games
  • Challenge and Children’s Development
  • Creating a Motivational Climate for Learning and Enjoyment
  • Implication for Educators

Part II. Translating Research to Practice

• Chapter 5. Capitalizing on Physical Activity to Benefit Children’s Physical and Mental Health
  • How Physical Movements Create Mental Maps
  • Childhood Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior
  • Worldwide Trends in Childhood Obesity and Health
  • Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 6. Engaging Children in Playful Learning
  • Children’s Mental Engagement
  • Three Principles of Instruction
  • Teaching for Engagement
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 7. Teaching Physical Activity Games for Cognitive Engagement
  • Who Are Physical Activity Teachers?
  • Skills Needed by Physical Activity Teachers
  • Selecting an Approach to Teaching
  • Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teaching Models
  • Considerations for Implementing Physical Activity Games Programs
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 8. How to Assess Children at Play
  • What Is Assessment and Why Do It?
  • Selecting the Right Indicators of Program Success
  • Indicators of Program Effectiveness
  • Approaches to and Sources of Data Collection
  • Individual Differences, Measurement, and Game Development
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 9. Integrating Physical Activity Games Into the Home and Community
  • Ecological Models
  • Applying Physical Activity Games to Ecological Models
  • 21st-Century Schools
  • Implication for Educators

Part III. Creating Effective Physical Activity Games

• Chapter 10. Physical Activity Games for Preschool- and Kindergarten-Age Children
  • Moving From Play to Games
  • Games That Challenge Executive Functions
  • Connecting Games for Preschool- and Kindergarten-Age Children to SHAPE America Standards
  • Games Highlighting Contextual Interference
  • Games Emphasizing Mental Control
  • Games Highlighting Discovery
  • Implication for Educators
• Chapter 11. Physical Activity Games for Elementary School–Age Children
  • Games That Challenge Executive Functions
  • Connecting Games for Elementary School–Age Children to SHAPE America Standards
  • Games Highlighting Contextual Interference
  • Games Emphasizing Mental Control
  • Games Promoting Discovery
  • Implication for Educators References

Index

About the Author