Any teacher knows that attention span is related to academic achievement.  Now a researcher has identified a link between physical activity and attention span.

A recent study out of the University of Granada has linked participating in physical activity with longer attention spans. Better cognitive abilities such as time perception were also higher in physically active participants. It has been generally known that physical activity lends …
You may want to check out the new blog by the Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) — The Body Smart Blog is the place for people interested in early childhood education and development.

Whether you are a Head Start teacher, a parent of a toddler, or a preschool administrator — you will find useful and interesting articles and ideas here. Calls to actions, interviews, activity ideas, book reviews a…
Money Available to Improve Outdoor Play Spaces! HSBS provides grants of up to $5,000 to Head Start centers nationwide to improve their outdoor play space. Grant recipients receive targeted training and technical assistance from HSBS including on-site consultation from a physical activity expert and access to on-line training. The Play Space Grant Request for Proposals is now available on the HSBS website. Apply now. Applications are due June 1,…
We knew that disadvantaged urban preschoolers often arrive at school behind their peers academically. A new study also indicates that they arrive behind and lacking in basic motor skill development as well.

This is particularly important today as the childhood obesity epidemic continues to grow. Less skilled children are often less likely to try new gross motor activities fearing failure resulting in less active children.

One of the studies au…
I met Sharon Krull over 20 years ago. You may know her by her blog, "Sharin' with Sharron." She has a blog on movement, play and physical activity for children.

Today's blog activity is called, "Ducking out of Duck, Duck, Goose." It is a great activity to check out and she renames it, A Tisket, A Tasket, My Fruit & Veggie Basket

How to play:
1. Sit young children (players) in a circle.
2. One child is chosen to hol…