Part I Physical Activity and Mental Development
Chapter 1 Understanding Children's Mental Development
Mental Development
Skill and the Trajectory of Cognitive Development
Understanding Children's Development From Multiple Points of View
Implications for Educators
Chapter 2 How Movement Influences Children's Mental Development
Children's Physical Activity
Physical Activity in Natural, Educational, and Recreational Settings
How Physical Activity and Exercise Enhance Children's Cognition
How Physical Activity Benefits Children's Cognition and Academics
Implication for Educators
Chapter 3 How Movement Games Help Children Think and Learn
Learning
What Influences the Shape of the Learning Curve?
Mental Energy and Children's Learning
Developmental Tasks and Readiness to Learn
Implication for Educators
Chapter 4 Motivating Children to Learn by Playing
Motivation to Play Games
Challenge and Children's Development
Creating a Motivational Climate for Learning and Enjoyment
Implication for Educators
Part II Translating Research to Practice
Chapter 5 Capitalizing on Physical Activity to Benefit Children's Physical and Mental Health
How Physical Movements Create Mental Maps
Childhood Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior
Worldwide Trends in Childhood Obesity and Health
Children's and Adolescents' Mental Health
Implication for Educators
Chapter 6 Engaging Children in Playful Learning
Children's Mental Engagement
Three Principles of Instruction
Teaching for Engagement
Implication for Educators
Chapter 7 Teaching Physical Activity Games for Cognitive Engagement
Who Are Physical Activity Teachers?
Skills Needed by Physical Activity Teachers
Selecting an Approach to Teaching
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teaching Models
Considerations for Implementing Physical Activity Games Programs
Implication for Educators
Chapter 8 How to Assess Children at Play
What Is Assessment and Why Do It?
Selecting the Right Indicators of Program Success
Indicators of Program Effectiveness
Approaches to and Sources of Data Collection
Individual Differences, Measurement, and Game Development
Implication for Educators
Chapter 9 Integrating Physical Activity Games Into the Home and Community
Ecological Models
Applying Physical Activity Games to Ecological Models
21st-Century Schools
Implication for Educators
Part III Creating Effective Physical Activity Games
Chapter 10 Physical Activity Games for Preschool- and Kindergarten-Age Children
Moving From Play to Games
Games That Challenge Executive Functions
Connecting Games for Preschool- and Kindergarten-Age Children to SHAPE America Standards
Games Highlighting Contextual Interference
Games Emphasizing Mental Control
Games Highlighting Discovery
Implication for Educators
Chapter 11 Physical Activity Games for Elementary School-Age Children
Games That Challenge Executive Functions
Connecting Games for Elementary School-Age Children to SHAPE America Standards
Games Highlighting Contextual Interference
Games Emphasizing Mental Control
Games Promoting Discovery
Implication for Educators