Project number: 101089506
Project name: Beyond sport through a ‘No Brain, No Gain’ project
Project acronym: BRAIN
Call: ERASMUS-SPORT-2022-SSCP
The main goal of the Beyond sport through a ‘No Brain No Gain’ project (BRAIN) is to provide guidelines for creating cognitively challenging physical activities (PA) through the development and testing of an exercise program based on “enriched environments.” Cognitively challenging motor tasks trigger executive function processes (EF) (e.g., working memory, inhibition, planning, and monitoring) that are considered essential for preschool literacy and later academic achievement.
As part of the project, we will educate and train coaches and staff to improve their skills in this area, raising awareness among preschool institutions and other stakeholders of the crucial role that motor proficiency and EF play in improving children’s pre- literacy skills. Staff training will increase the number of qualified early childhood education professionals. In addition to the results achieved with normally developed children, the inclusion of children with disabilities will encourage them to participate in sports activities and they will feel more confident. The project concept of BRAIN aims to include two simultaneous processes: to improve children’s abilities and skills, and at the same time to develop the experience of staff in preschool institutions. To achieve our goals, we will conduct an extensive dissemination campaign, multiplier sports events and summer sports camps