Can playful exercise make kids smarter for school?

This study tested whether a special 8-week program of fun, physically active games that also challenge the brain could improve thinking skills and school readiness in 5-year-old children. Forty-eight preschoolers were randomly assigned to either try this new program or continue with their standard physical education classes. Researchers measured skills like memory, planning, and self-control before and after the program to see if the playful activities made a difference.