Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/move-it!-the-compelling-connections-between-physical-activity-and-mental-health/5024470/
Watch how young children move. If they are walking down a hallway with square tiles, they might try to hop over one square with each leap or fit both feet in a square. When outdoors, hills seem to call to them to roll downward and curbs to balance one foot at a time. If your goal, as the adult, is to try to get these children from point A to point B, it may feel frustrating that their every step is an adventure. Movement, control of their bodies, and novel approaches to asphalt, slides, and walking are all part of children’s brain and body development. Mastery of these brings squeals of delight, “I did it!” “Watch me!” and feelings of agency and control of self, not to mention accomplishment.
Are these positive feelings of self-worth indicators of good mental health in-the-making and, if so, is physical activity the cause?
Researchers have longed to know the answers to these questions and many studies are underway to discern the effect of physical movement on decreased mental health symptoms and diagnoses. Studies have largely focused on older children, adolescents, and adults, but more needs to be understood with regard to young children and the impact of ...