Many children struggle with self-regulation – or the ability to manage emotions, behaviors, and impulses in response to what’s happening around them. For kids, this means things like calming down when upset, waiting their turn, or transitioning from playtime to bedtime without a meltdown. Well-intentioned caregivers and educators may try to address these challenges by reasoning with the child. This often does not work and can even make things worse.

Why is it so hard for children to self-regulate? There’s a biological reason: the part of the brain that manages self-control—the prefrontal cortex—is still developing well into early adulthood. This area is responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and decision-making.

When a child is dysregulated, their body is flooded with sensations and signals the brain may not yet have the maturity or tools to handle. Instead of accessing logic or language, their emotional brain (amygdala) takes over, putting them into fight, flight, or freeze mode. In this state, they can’t hear your words. They need help regulating the body first.

What helps? Movement - especially intentional, coordinated movement—like balancing, tumbling, dancing, climbing, martial arts and riding a bike. These activities engage the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for motor coordination and planning.

And, here’s the exciting part: the cerebellum has a special relationship with the prefrontal cortex. Research shows that physical movements that challenge the cerebellum also strengthen the prefrontal cortex, supporting the development of critical social-emotional skills like impulse control, focus and attention, flexible thinking and emotional regulation.

So, while it may seem like play, these movement-based activities are doing powerful, behind-the-scenes brainwork—literally helping kids build the tools they need to regulate themselves.

Movement is much more than just a way for children to release energy or regulate their emotions. It’s a foundational element in the development of key brain functions that support learning and academic achievement. When children engage in coordinated, purposeful movement, they activate and strengthen brain systems responsible for attention, memory, and problem-solving – all part of Executive Function.

Movement also plays a key role in sensory integration—the brain’s ability to take in, process, and organize information from the environment through touch, sight, and hearing. When sensory input is processed effectively, the brain can organize and store information more efficiently. This makes it easier for children to understand and use what they learn, leading to better comprehension, problem-solving, and application of knowledge. Some activities that strengthen sensory integration include jumping on a trampoline, balancing or hopping on one foot, tossing and catching a ball, dancing to rhythm, and navigating obstacle courses.

One of the most profound effects of movement on brain development is how it helps integrate the right and left hemispheres (sides) of the brain. The right hemisphere is often associated with creative, intuitive, and spatial thinking, while the left hemisphere is linked to logic, language, and detailed processing. Many forms of physical movement, especially activities that require cross-body coordination, can help build a bridge between these two brain regions. For example, when children perform activities like touching their right hand to their left knee or reaching their left hand to their right foot, they activate both hemispheres of the brain. This connection is essential for balanced thinking and helps improve skills such as reading, writing, math, and even problem-solving.

This type of movement is particularly beneficial in improving spatial awareness (the ability to understand where your body is in relation to the environment) and visual-motor coordination (how the eyes and hands work together). This is especially helpful in learning prepositional phrases, such as, the apple is on the counter or behind the bananas. These skills are also important for reading comprehension, which requires the ability to create a mental picture of what is being read.

Coordinated, planned movement activities are directly linked to academic tasks like reading, writing, and math problem solving, which all require fine motor coordination, visual tracking, and logical sequencing.

With all this in mind, it becomes clear that children need plenty of movement opportunities, especially ones involving motor planning and activation of key brain areas. Making changes to the brain requires consistent exposure to these activities. If children only have PE two days a week, it is not enough to make these changes. Kids need to move EVERY day. Incorporating yoga, gymnastics, dance, or martial arts into daily PE curriculum can have a significant impact on children’s academic performance.

In the U.S., emphasis has been placed on P.E. for sports readiness. As a component of education, Physical Education must be about preparing children for lifelong learning and health. This includes learning about how movement affects how their bodies and brains function and how they feel when they have control over their bodies.

Research consistently demonstrates a positive connection between physical fitness and academic performance. Cardiovascular fitness, motor skills, and overall physical activity have all been linked to improvements in cognitive function, memory, attention, and academic achievement. Most people understand that physical activity helps the brain function better, but they might not realize how important movement is for brain development. Exercise increases oxygen flow to the brain, which keeps it healthy. But activities that involve coordination, balance, and different types of movement also play a big role—they help shape the brain’s connections and prepare kids to learn.

Consider the Fun Factor - For kids to truly enjoy physical activity and want to keep moving, it has to meet them where they are. That means understanding their individual abilities, interests, and comfort levels. When physical education is too hard, too easy, or doesn’t feel fun, kids can quickly lose interest or confidence. But when activities are designed to be engaging, playful, and at the right level of challenge, children are more likely to feel successful and have fun. This positive experience builds motivation, helping them develop a lifelong love for movement and healthy habits.