Boost Preschool Learning Through Motor Skills, Physical Activity: Study

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – A recent doctoral thesis has shown that practicing motor skills and physical activity can support preschoolers’ cognitive and early academic skills, particularly when these activities are integrated with learning specific subjects.

In recent years, concerns have grown about children and adolescents being less physically active and having weaker motor skills than previous generations. Compounding this, there is a decline in academic skills like math and language, with increasing numbers of children in schools and kindergartens requiring additional learning support. Previous research has identified physical inactivity as a new risk factor for skills development.

Doctoral researcher Pinja Jylänki from the University of Helsinki explored whether physical activity and motor skill practice could aid in the development of cognitive and early academic skills in preschool-aged children.

In systematic reviews included in her thesis, Jylänki analyzed 57 previous studies on the subject, finding that approximately 70% of these studies showed positive effects of motor skill and physical activity interventions on preschoolers’ cognitive and early academic abilities. These effects were especially pronounced in memory, executive function, language, and early numeracy skills. The strongest benefits were observed when motor skills practice was combined with the subject being taught, rather than practiced independently.

Prior research also suggests that combining motor skills with other learning activities is more effective than focusing solely on physical activity or motor skills alone. However, this is a relatively new field, and further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.