How Tai Chi and Qigong Can Boost Learning and Brain Function in Children with Learning Difficulties
For many children, schoolwork doesn’t come easily. Reading, math, and problem-solving can be difficult, and these struggles often affect more than grades—they influence confidence, emotions, and social life. Around the world, about 5–15% of school-aged children have learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. Traditional approaches like tutoring or cognitive training can help, but what if the body could also train the brain?
A new study from researchers at Hangzhou Normal University and Shanghai University of Sport explores an intriguing idea: could traditional Chinese mind–body practices like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Yijinjing improve learning abilities and brain function in children with learning difficulties?
The Study at a Glance
The researchers studied 72 children aged 9–11 with learning difficulties. These children were divided into four groups:
Tai Chi (TC)
Baduanjin (BD)
Yijinjing (YJJ)
Control (CON) – who continued with their normal physical education.
Each intervention group practiced their mind–body exercise for 45 minutes, three times a week, over 12 weeks. The sessions combined gentle movements, controlled breathing, and focused attention—all hallmarks of traditional Chinese health practices.
Before and after the 12 weeks, the researchers assessed each child’s:
Learning ability, using the Pupil Rating Scale (PRS);
Academic performance, through school rankings (APR);
Executive function, using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)—which tests skills like attention, memory, and self-control;
Brain connectivity, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive imaging tool that tracks blood flow and communication in brain regions linked to learning and focus.
What Are Executive Functions—and Why Do They Matter?
Executive functions are the brain’s management system. They help us:
Remember instructions,
Stay focused,
Control impulses,
Switch between tasks.
Children with learning difficulties often have weaker executive functions, which can make schoolwork overwhelming. Strengthening these skills can improve both academic and emotional development.
Why Mind–Body Exercises Might Help
Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Yijinjing are centuries-old practices that combine movement, breath, and mental concentration. They’re known to calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve coordination. From a modern neuroscience perspective, these practices might boost neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and strengthen connections between regions.
Previous studies have shown that adults who practice Tai Chi demonstrate better attention and emotional control, but this is one of the first studies to apply these methods specifically to children with learning difficulties.
The Results: Movement that Shapes the Mind
After 12 weeks, all three exercise groups outperformed the control group on several key measures.
1. Improved Learning Ability
Children who practiced Tai Chi, Baduanjin, or Yijinjing scored higher on the Pupil Rating Scale, which measures aspects like memory, comprehension, and social behavior.
Notably, Tai Chi produced the greatest improvement. Its slow, mindful movements appear to sharpen concentration and self-regulation. As the authors note, Tai Chi’s “meditative nature enhances the mind–body connection, promoting greater cognitive improvement.”behavsci-15-00303
2. Better Academic Performance
All three intervention groups also improved their Academic Performance Ranking, meaning they performed better in Chinese and mathematics than before. Yijinjing students showed slightly higher academic gains overall, suggesting its emphasis on strength and structure may translate to greater endurance and focus in schoolwork.
3. Enhanced Inhibitory Control
Among the executive function measures, Tai Chi again stood out. It improved inhibitory control—the ability to resist distractions or impulsive reactions. This aligns with brain research showing that mindfulness-based movement strengthens prefrontal regions that govern self-control and attention. Baduanjin and Yijinjing also helped, but to a lesser degree.
4. Mixed Results for Working Memory
Interestingly, Tai Chi participants scored lower on working memory tests than other groups. While that may sound negative, the authors suggest it could reflect a temporary “cognitive load.” Because Tai Chi requires attention to posture, breath, and movement simultaneously, it might initially tax working memory before strengthening it with longer practice.
What’s Happening in the Brain?
The most fascinating part of the study involves what was happening inside the children’s brains.
Using fNIRS brain imaging, researchers found that Tai Chi enhanced communication between the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and Brodmann area 8 (BA8)—regions deeply involved in attention, planning, and goal-directed behavior.
This improvement in “effective connectivity” means the brain regions were talking to each other more efficiently. In simple terms, Tai Chi helped the brain’s control centers sync up, possibly making it easier for children to focus, plan, and regulate behavior. The study even found a positive correlation between these brain connectivity changes and academic performancebehavsci-15-00303.
Why Tai Chi Shines
Tai Chi’s distinctive blend of mindfulness, controlled breathing, and rhythmic movement may explain why it outperformed the other exercises. It demands:
Continuous attention to body position,
Smooth coordination with breath,
Emotional calm and patience.
This combination stimulates both mental discipline and emotional regulation—skills essential for learning. As one earlier study cited by the authors noted, “Tai Chi enhances prefrontal cortex activity and executive function,” supporting both focus and self-controlbehavsci-15-00303.
The Broader Implications
These results point to something profound: movement practices rooted in traditional Chinese medicine could play a modern role in education and child development. Schools could integrate short Tai Chi or Qigong sessions into daily routines, giving students tools to calm their minds, regulate emotions, and strengthen focus before academic lessons.
For parents, these practices offer a non-pharmacological, accessible way to support children struggling with learning or attention challenges. Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Yijinjing can be learned safely under guidance and practiced anywhere without special equipment.
Cautions and Next Steps
Like all studies, this one has limitations. The sample size was small, the intervention lasted only 12 weeks, and the participants came from similar school settings. The researchers suggest that longer-term and larger-scale studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand how these mind–body practices can be tailored to different types of learning difficulties.
Future work could also explore how family involvement, diet, or stress levels interact with these exercises to influence outcomes.
A Step Toward Whole-Child Education
This study bridges ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. It suggests that the mind and body are not separate in learning—they are partners. When children learn to move with awareness, breathe with focus, and quiet their minds, their brains may become better organized for learning.
Tai Chi, in particular, may offer a gentle yet powerful way to strengthen the brain’s executive control centers, helping children with learning difficulties find confidence and clarity in the classroom.
Reference
Wang, X., & Li, H. (2025). Effects of different traditional Chinese mind–body exercises on learning abilities, executive functions, and brain connectivity in children with learning difficulties. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 303. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030303
