Why Movement Matters: How Active Kids Build Stronger Brains

If you’ve ever worried that your child or grandchild spends too much time on screens and not enough time moving—you're not alone. Today’s kids sit more than ever before. Between school desks, homework, and entertainment on tablets and TVs, long hours of physical inactivity have quietly become the norm.

But here’s what many parents don’t realize: this modern sedentary lifestyle is affecting far more than just kids’ physical health. It’s reshaping the way their brains develop, too.

In fact, growing research shows that movement and coordination are directly tied to cognitive development. The more kids move, play, and challenge their bodies, the better they develop attention, memory, emotional control, and even language skills.

Let’s explore how it works—and why encouraging more physical activity could be one of the most important things you can do for a child’s development.

The Problem: Movement Is Disappearing From Childhood

According to a CDC study, only 24% of American children ages 6–17 participate in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. That means three out of four kids are missing daily movement—and the problem starts even earlier in preschool years.

At the same time, screen time continues to rise. A 2022 report from Common Sense Media found that tweens now spend nearly 5.5 hours a day on screens, while teens spend over 8.5 hours daily.

This imbalance doesn’t just make kids physically restless—it’s linked to problems with attention, emotional regulation, and academic performance. Researchers are now sounding the alarm: the decline in movement may be at the root of many learning challenges seen in schools today.

The Science: Why Physical Activity Boosts Brain Power

Here’s the fascinating part: the brain doesn’t just grow through books and puzzles—it grows through movement.

Physical activity stimulates the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps build and strengthen brain cells. It also improves blood flow to the brain and activates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning, decision-making, and focus.

A 2018 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirmed that physical activity is strongly linked to improved cognitive function in children and adolescents, particularly in executive functions like attention and working memory.

And it’s not just exercise in general—coordination-based activities show particularly strong results. A 2022 study found that children who engaged in structured motor skill development not only improved their physical abilities but also experienced long-term cognitive gains. As their motor skills improved, so did their problem-solving and attention skills.

In simpler terms? Better movers are often better learners.

Not Just Sports: The Full Range of Movement Matters

You don’t need to enroll your child in competitive sports to reap these benefits. In fact, some of the best brain-boosting activities are playful, low-pressure, and happen right at home.

Movement and coordination go beyond running or jumping. They include:

• Balancing (which activates the cerebellum—key in both movement and attention)

• Climbing and crawling (which builds spatial awareness)

• Dancing and rhythm-based movement (which enhances auditory processing)

• Cross-lateral movements (using both sides of the body) which engage both brain hemispheres and are often used in therapy for kids with ADHD or dyslexia

A 2024 study published in Scientific Reports even found that success during movement practice improved motivation and attention, reinforcing the value of daily physical challenges (source).

Real-World Benefits: What Parents Are Noticing

Parents often report that when their child gets enough physical play, they’re calmer, more focused, and more confident. That’s because movement helps regulate the nervous system. For kids who tend to be anxious, distracted, or impulsive, physical activity can be a natural and effective form of support.

In a classroom setting, active kids tend to perform better on tasks that require sustained attention. A Copenhagen study even found that children who learned math while integrating movement showed 6% better results than those who learned while sitting still.

How You Can Help: Easy Movement Ideas at Home

Here are a few simple ways to bring more movement into your child’s day—no gym membership or fancy equipment needed:

1. Playground Time: Swings, monkey bars, and balance beams all engage muscles and coordination.

2. Dance Breaks: Turn on music and encourage silly dance-offs. It’s fun and stimulates auditory processing.

3. Animal Walks: Try bear crawls, crab walks, or frog jumps across the living room. They challenge balance and cross-body coordination.

4. Obstacle Courses: Use furniture, pillows, or cones to build a course. Time them, or add tasks like tossing bean bags between moves.

5. Simon Says with Movement: Add in balance or coordination tasks (“Simon says stand on one foot and touch your nose!”).

6. Family Yoga or Stretching: A calm way to develop strength, balance, and body awareness.

7. Balloon Volleyball or Sock Toss: Gentle games that still engage motor planning and timing.

The key isn’t intensity—it’s variety. And most importantly, consistency. A few short bursts of movement each day can do wonders for attention, mood, and learning.

Looking Ahead: Movement as a Foundation for Lifelong Learning

Physical activity and cognitive development of kids are deeply intertwined. Movement builds neural connections that shape how kids think, learn, and process emotions. It fuels not just strong bodies—but strong minds.

In today’s digital world, bringing back movement to childhood may be one of the most powerful developmental tools we have.

So if your child struggles to concentrate or seems overwhelmed by screen time, don’t start with apps or tutoring. Start with play. Start with movement.

Because before a child can sit still and focus… they need to move.