Exercise improves depression, anxiety,  and a student's ability to focus.  Dr. John Ratey, author of S.P.A.R.K.   suggests that physical education and play are critical opportunities to improve cognition in children and adults alike.

Along with his team of researchers, Dr. Ratey explored the effects of exercise on cognition.
What they found was that exercise appeared to turn the brain on, decrease discipline and increase attendance.

He explains that what happens when we exercise is that it turns on the pre- frontal part of the brain which is important in executive planning, organization, impulse control,  consequence evaluation, maintaining focus, and the ability to learn from mistakes.  Exercise also creates a chemical called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) or "Miracle Grow for the Brain" according to Ratey.  BDNF is required to log any new information in the brain so that new learning can occur.

In short, he concluded that "exercise turns on the attention system, turns on the motivation system, turns of the memory system, as well as, it makes brain cells ready to grow and sprout and that's the only way we learn anything,"  according to Ratey.  The more fit you are the better the learner.  Exercise makes your brain better, it maximizes your brains ability to learn so schools need to institute physical education and play opportunities in schools to improve both learning and the learner.

Peaceful Playgrounds Markings

 Have you visited our Peaceful Playgrounds You Tube Video Channel lately?  There are a number of new videos posted recently from school paint days.

KSBI News - Peaceful Playgrounds

The Spring 2013 cycle is now open. The deadline for submitting applications for this grant cycle is February 15, 2013 5pm EST. This year, the foundation, will seek ways to provide the tools that help educators and parent groups through today's challenging times efficiently, while providing the greatest impact, with basic necessities taking priority.

Funding:  $5000

 Application information.