quick clicks

iparenting fitness articles

iparenting fitness q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Infant Aerobics

Can Exercise Make Your
Baby Smarter?

By Teri Brown

The idea that exercise can help your child develop into a well-rounded person isn't new. In 1420, an Italian physician, Vittorino da Feltre, started the first childhood physical education classes, and in 1825, Charles Beck became the first physical education teacher in the United States. It was thought that physical education prepared the mind for learning. Now, people are wondering if exercise can give infants a leg up on mental development.

To Gina Ritter, mother of three from Napa, Calif., it makes sense that exercise would promote intelligence in infants. "Any stimulation, especially from an adult the baby is bonded with, helps increase their intelligence," she says. "A different viewpoint, like tummy time, can encourage them to use their brain in new ways to command their body, which would increase intelligence. Stimulation of their body from exercise will also stimulate their brain in the same way."

Mary Zurn, vice president of Early Childhood Education and Professional Development for Primrose Schools, says that scientists who study the brain have shown that the brain grows and changes dramatically during the early months and years following birth.

"Anyone who has witnessed the transformation of a newborn to a walking, communicating toddler who can express emotions specific to different situations would find this entirely reasonable," Zurn says. "Infants have a lot of work to do, but from what I have read, the brain is a very adaptable organ and there will be other critical periods in every child's future."

Want to see more?

• Tummy Time: On the Back to Sleep, on the Stomach for Play
• Baby's Gotta Move! How Movement Affects Baby's Brain Development
• Let's Get Physical: The Importance of Getting Your Toddler up and Active
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.