Everyone knows how much fun playing can be! At any age, time spent playing is also a time for learning! Did you know that playful physical movement is essential to learning, especially at a young age? In the past few decades scientists have been proving there is an amazing link between movement and learning. It starts all the way back in infancy; as babies begin to learn and grow, their inner ear systems and motor function systems are the first to mature. We can use this information to make a fun environment full of motion! Classes and play dates that involve movements like rocking, rolling, spinning, and later on, somersaulting and swinging can stimulate the brain’s capacity for improved learning. These actions are building blocks for how to expand a child’s knowledge of themselves and their surroundings. We want to activate pathways in the brain early so that kids can prime their nervous systems for more complex things like reading, writing, attention skills, speech, and social interactions!
Now, you are probably asking yourself which classes are best for learning these movements? The most useful ones that get your kids up and moving are swimming lessons, gymnastics, and dance! These types of classes work the brain's natural bi-lateral cross patterning by using all four lobes because of how much focus it takes. For instance, in our Surrey swimming lessons, the act of holding your breath, closing your eyes, and putting your head underwater takes a lot of concentration and skill for someone so young. The more cross patterning, means the more nerves firing from one side of the brain to the other. This results in heightened cognition, improved body coordination, and increased learning. Who wouldn’t want a little more of all of that? It’s a good thing the Lower Mainland offers many of these wonderful classes stretching all the way out from Abbotsford, Langley, Cloverdale, Surrey, and White Rock. Make sure to check out your own neighbourhood for incredible classes such as these!
Our Winter swim lessons start January 2nd at our pools in Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. Lessons run from January to April..
Register here: https://www.swimclo.com/register
Source: Movement - The Key To Early Learning by Lana Whitehead (SwimKids USA)