Introduction
Brain gym is a term that denotes a type of preparatory brain training in which a child indulges in activities to improve their cognitive skills and memory. The activities can range from indulging in specific movement exercises or focusing on neurological activities to enhance the coordination of the brain with the body. These exercises are believed to have a positive impact on the functioning of the brain and may contribute towards enhancing a child's ability to learn better. In some cases, they may also have a positive impact on a child's ability to deal with stress and avoid volatile temperament.
Another benefit of such exercises is that they are a much better alternative to digital games that may impair a child's vision and ability to concentrate for a longer time. Parents can incorporate brain gym exercises at home under their supervision to enhance a child's problem-solving skills and work on their attentiveness.
Brain Gym Exercises for Kids for a Sharper Mind
Here is a list of some effective brain gym exercises for kids that may improve their cognition and lots of other brain functions.
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What Did You Miss?
This is the perfect game for preschoolers with the minimum usage of any kind of props or resources. However, it is a multiplayer game in which at least 3 to 4 kids are required to play at the same time. The kids must be made to sit in a circle. In the middle of the circle, one can keep 4 to 5 random items that students have to memorize. Now, one kid will be given the main role. On the beat of the clap, all the students will close their eyes, except the one given the main role. The main role kid will swap one of the objects in the center with something else. Now all the other kids are supposed to open their eyes and guess the exact object that has been swapped.
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Expression Copy Game
The expression copy game is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are just learning how to differentiate between different facial expressions. To do this activity at home, you have to simply make various facial expressions in front of your child and ask them to copy similar expressions. Simultaneously, you may share the meaning of each of these expressions and the mood of the person while making these expressions. Initially, you may introduce one expression at a time and ask the child to guess the meaning behind it. Slowly, you may introduce multiple similar expressions like sadness and guilt, that may look a bit similar but are different from each other.
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Number Chain
To play this game, you may arrange kids in a circle and let one child give a number to start the game. The next child will have to repeat the number and simultaneously add another number to the chain. For example, if the first child says 1, the other child will say 1 and 4. The third child will be expected to say both 1 and 4 and then also add a number of their own. The chain goes on and each child is required to remember the chain of numbers. Those who get it wrong will be eliminated.
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My Buddy is Missing
This is another multiplayer game in which students are made to stand around in a circle and then have a look in all directions to notice who is standing where. On the beat of a clap, all kids will have to close their eyes, and the parent can simply take one child from the circle without letting anyone know. Now the rest of the students will open their eyes and guess who is missing from the group. The activity checks a child's alertness and the ability to concentrate even on the most minute details.
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Animal Walk
Animal Walk is an interesting game with a very simple concept. It can help a child learn about the height of an animal, the proportions, and the use of different body parts among various species. You may depict an animal walking your child and then encourage them to mimic it exactly. The child will indulge in actively using their body parts to walk or look like an animal. It makes them understand how different animals are from human beings and how they adjust the movement of their limbs to walk comfortably. Kids can have a lot of fun while doing this exercise and indulging in simultaneous learning.
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Magic Time
A little magic show can be a great way to intrigue kids. However, this magic game is jazzed up with a brain activity touch. Simply place some objects on a table and cover them with a cloth. Now, trick the students into believing that one object is missing while in reality, you may cleverly remove it with your hands without letting the kids know. You may use phrases such as ‘abracadabra’ or ‘do the magic of my wand’ to excite kids. Now ask the kids to guess what object exactly has gone missing from the lot.
Conclusion
For kids, continued indulgence in mentally stimulating brain activities may lead to numerous positive outcomes. Other than cognitive development, these are also great leisure time activities with fun elements while also teaching kids various concepts related to everyday learning and life. These may also enhance a child's ability to concentrate better in school and retain focus during all the activities that they perform.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6617109/
Pakhi’s deep interest in writing is influenced by her love for cinema and fiction books. Being a literature graduate, she is relentlessly inspired by different storytelling techniques to craft her work and bring a fresh perspective to the table. Having studied psychology, she also loves to explore various psychological insights related to kids’ and parents’ behavior to create engaging content pieces. Apart from that, she enjoys jamming to some great R&B music in her leisure time.
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
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