Vigorous physical activity helps preschoolers maintain their fitness and improve their coordination and agility. Beth Almeras, Director of the Head Start, Body Start Program, states that active play has developmental value in that it helps children learn fundamental movement skills. The program cites the Head Start, Body Start publication From Playpen to Playground: “Early gross motor abilities have been associated with several cognitive processes that are fundamental for academic learning: processing speed and memory. Why? The most prevalent theory is that movement facilitates the development of new connections among brain cells and the overall organization of the brain.”