According to Sarah Yates, a physical education teacher at McAuliffe Elementary School, “Often overlooked in the endeavor to improve health is the brain.” That’s why Yates encourages her students to participate in competitive sport stacking, whereby students stack and collapse pyramids of colored cups in a specific order against a timer or one another.
“Studies have shown that students who participate in sport stacking improve their reading scores because it forces them to use their left and their right sides of their brain,” claims Yates. By using their hands in a left, right, left pattern during the stacking, acting physically and mentally at the same time, both sides of the brain get a workout.
Second grade student, Brittany Chiuccariello at Millennium Elementary School says, “I play basketball, soccer and softball, so this helps me with my hand-eye coordination.”
Other benefits of competitive sport stacking include improved reaction time, focus and bilateral proficiency. An added benefit—stacking is fun. Children love to be challenged, and they get excited when they see they have received a faster time than before and that they have gotten better.
But stacking isn’t just about the kids. Adults can get in on the fun, too. Just get out some cups and start stacking. Age doesn’t matter. Whether you are 10, 40 or 70, you can give your brain a new and fun workout.
Popular Brain Tips 
By now, the positive effects of exercise on the body and brain are becoming better known. But have you heard of competitive sport stacking—stacking cups? If not, consider adding it to your list of “new things to try.”
