all work and no play

Play to the top, please

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Your Health - Dr. Gita Mathai

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My parents used to walk to school, a couple of kilometres both ways, in a chatty gaggle that built up a lifetime of friendships. Today's children take automated transport and barely have the time to talk for they are usually cramming - for unit tests, weekly exams or quarterly evaluations. They live and study in a pressure-cooker, their stress levels build up in junior school itself, and by the time they reach the public exams, many are not only physically unfit but may have reached breaking point. Many do not know how to study, or why they cannot recall what they have studied!

Schools contribute to this environment. The 11 o'clock and lunch breaks are reduced from the mandatory half and one hour. This means that children barely have time to gobble their lunch and go to the toilet (no time to play). The games period is usurped for extra classes. Weaker students are coached after school hours or sent to a tuition circuit. There is no time for hobbies, extracurricular activities or sports.

All this is counterproductive. Being a "topper" does not ensure admission to college and the ability to shine in your chosen career. For college, you only need to make the "cut off" grade and good grades do not ensure success in your career After five years, your school marks cease to be relevant. A child who has hobbies and plays a sport is more likely to be a well-rounded individual and be equipped with the character requirements for success.

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Children need to be physically active to cope with studies and the rigours of life. Unlike their inactive counterparts, they have a normal BMI (body mass index), lower body fat, are mentally sharper, and have better cardiovascular health. They tend to concentrate on studies and tasks better and grasp concepts faster. Their performance in reading and mathematics is demonstrably superior to their inactive counterparts.

Studies have shown that school-going children require an hour of physical activity. Since it is difficult to change the academic mindset, it becomes the responsibility of parents to try to ensure that this happens.

The exercise can be split into two or more segments but at the end of the day the minutes should have added up to an hour. It can be cycling, running, skipping, stair climbing, dancing or swimming. It requires parental involvement.

Parents may feel that taking a break for activity cuts into cramming time and is counterproductive. Actually, long study sessions without a break means that brain power is wasted trying to stay focused. The chemicals required for processing information become depleted. Periodic breaks allow chemicals to accumulate. Endorphins released from muscles during exercise boost this process. Adequate sleep is as important for efficient brain functioning. School going children require 8-11 hours of sleep.

Review of study sessions once or twice a few days apart, or even after a bout of physical activity are important to "grease" and establish brain pathways for efficient recall. Repeating the lesson loudly, reinforces the lesson through sight and sound.

Dr Gita Mathai is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore. Send questions on health to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in