The Future of Movement Breaks in Schools

In today's ever-changing educational environment the spotlight is turning to the holistic development of students. The quality of their education and the scores they score remain crucial however, a growing body of research reveals a key element often overlooked: movement breaks in schools. As sedentary classroom routines and more screen time are becoming the standard, the demand for purposeful, structured physical activity throughout the school day is never greater. In this article we'll discuss the reasons why moving breaks should be an integral part of any school's daily routine, uncover the science that explains their benefits, and provide practical strategies for teachers and administrators.

What are movement breaks in schools?

Movement breaks--also known as brain breaks, activity breaks or physical activity breaks -- are short breaks during the school day where students are required to participate in physical activities. These breaks may include stretching, dancing, more structured exercises or games, or mindfulness exercises. Contrary to the physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed program, the movement breaks are quick, often frequent interruptions to sedentary classroom time intended to boost students' energy and refresh their minds.

Examples of movement breaks

• Running in place
• Yoga or stretching exercises
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Group games that require movement
• Guided breathing paired with light movement

Why it is important to break the movement of a person: The science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effect of regular exercise breaks on health is among the most compelling reasons for including them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents get 60 minutes of daily physical activity. But, many children aren't meeting this standard because of the long hours they spend in class.

Breaks in school for movement provide numerous health benefits:

• Increase cardiovascular fitness
• Improve flexibility and strength of muscles
• Weight management: Support healthy weight loss
• Obesity in children is a problem

Regular exercise improves your immune system and promotes good habits that last for a lifetime.

2. Cognitive and academic benefits

Contrary to the widely held belief that more time spent in school results in better grades, research has shown that taking movement breaks in class can boost the academic level of students . Physical activity increases the blood flow to your brain. This helps deliver nutrients and oxygen that are essential to cognitive functioning.

Key academic benefits include:

• Increased focus and attention
• Memory retention is enhanced
• Better problem-solving skills
• Engagement and participation
• A greater focus on the task

According to studies the students who have movement breaks are more focused and achieve higher scores over those who don't.

3. Mental and Emotional Well-being

Mental health is a matter that concerns many students. Anxiety, stress and depression impact a lot of youngsters of school age. Movement breaks play a significant part in promoting emotional regulation and well-being.

The benefits for emotional well-being include:

• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Improved mood and self-esteem
• Endorphins are released and give you a feeling of happiness
• Teamwork and social interaction

Physical activity during school day can provide a healthy outlet for pent-up anger, frustration, or worry, helping to create a more comfortable and positive environment in the classroom.

All students benefit from breaks in movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students who suffer from ADHD and sensory processing disorders or other disabilities may benefit from a break in their movement. They can benefit from physical activity to regulate their energy levels, enhancing the ability to concentrate and taking part in academic tasks.

Designing inclusive classrooms

Breaks in the movement can easily be adapted to meet the needs of various levels of ability, age groups and learning styles. The types of breaks offered range from simple chair stretches up to interactive group exercises. They guarantee that every student can succeed.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your schedule

For Teachers

• Create a schedule. Include movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, and especially in long instructional blocks.
• Make it simple. Choose routines that are simple to perform and require little equipment or preparation.
• Have fun with it: Use music, stories or themes to get students involved.
• Get students involved: Have students choose or lead their own favorite movement activities.

For Administrators

• Support: Inform staff and their families about the advantages of taking breaks for movement.
• Create guidelines: Encourage or mandate daily exercise breaks across the school.
• Professional development: Provide training and resources for teachers to lead activities with confidence.
• Track improvements: Collect and track feedback to improve your practices.

For Hybrid or Remote Learning

Movement breaks are just as essential during online learning. Teachers can conduct live sessions of activity through video calls, or provide movement challenges for students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

"Won't the movement breaks in between lessons waste time?"

On the contrary research has shown that students who regularly move are more focused, less disruptive and more efficient during lessons. Breaks for movement are an investment in learning, not an interruption.

"How can we create enough time to move in a packed schedule?"

You can include short breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your schedule, either to transition between different topics or following an intense focus. Even short activities can bring significant advantages.

What if the classroom space that we have available is not enough?

Many movement activities require little space, or can be performed by standing in front of desks. In smaller classrooms, seated yoga, stretches in a chair, or just simple hand and arm moves can be very effective.

The Effects of Movement Breaks on School Culture

Integrating movement breaks isn't just about the individual benefit; it's about building an environment that promotes well-being, health, and lifelong learning. Schools that focus on movement tend to:

• Students with better health and less absences
• School spirit and community involvement are boosted
• More satisfaction with the teacher and lower burnout rates
• Academic results that are more impressive

Other wellness-related initiatives, like bullying prevention, nutrition education and social-emotional learning, as well as social-emotional-learning can be aligned with movement breaks.

Get Started with These Tips

1. Start with a small amount: Begin with one or two breaks during the day and increase it from there.
2. Be constant: Make movement a regular part of the daily routine.
3. Be imaginative: Rotate the activities to keep the students interested.
4. Get feedback from teachers and students: Request input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your success: Recognize classrooms and students who enthusiastically participate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools introduce breaks for movement?

Most experts suggest a move break every 30-60 minutes but the frequency can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of each school.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. There is no need to. The movement breaks aren't an alternative to regular exercise. They are designed to supplement it.

Are exercise breaks suitable for all ages?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. A lot of effective activities for movement need no equipment, or just basic items such as balls, scarves or even music.

Integrating breaks for movement throughout the school day can have a wide array of advantages. Research shows that exercise is essential for many reasons that include improving academic performance, physical health and classroom behavior. It is possible to make a difference in the lives of your students, whether you're an administrator or teacher or parent, or even a policymaker.

Making movement a vital aspect of the school day for all students. Learners grow and thrive when they move.