As summer winds down, Fort Worth families are gearing up for the new school year. Helping children succeed in the classroom means more than overseeing homework. By ensuring kids add more physical activity into their daily mix, parents can help make kids’ developing minds work harder – and smarter.
Physical activity throughout the school day offers kids the chance to perform better academically, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and schools are taking note. With a commitment to improving well-being, families can also help keep young bodies – and brains – in top shape and get the school year off to a great start. Watch the video below to see why Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner shares why moving more makes a big difference for students.
For Better Grades, Encourage Students to Get Moving to Put Brains in Gear
Experts agree that regular physical activity, good nutrition, and the right environment for learning can have a big impact on a student’s success in school. Encourage your child to practice the Power 9® principle, Move Naturally. Walking or biking to school helps students arrive alert and ready to learn.
- Transition from summer and help children learn to downshift by establishing a consistent bedtime, starting a week before class begins.
- Make time each evening to discuss homework, school activities, and any anxieties. A family walk is a great way to spend time together.
- Turn off or limit electronic devices in the bedroom. Texting and watching TV make it harder to get a good night’s rest.
- Set out fruit and other good-for-you snacks, easily accessible while kids are studying or heading off to practice.
- Fill the refrigerator with water and reduce sugary drinks.
- Plan healthy meals in advance, and eat dinner as a family as often as possible.
