Why Movement Breaks Should Be Part of Every School Day

The holistic growth of the student is becoming more important in today's rapidly changing education system. The quality of their education and the scores they score are important however, a growing amount of research reveals a key factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. With sedentary classrooms and more screen time are becoming the commonplace, the need for purposeful, structured physical activity during the school day has never been more urgent. This guide will explore why movement breaks are essential to every school day, the advantages they bring and give practical suggestions for teachers and administrators.

What Are Movement Breaks in Schools?

Movement Breaks are also referred to as Brain Breaks, Activity breaks, or Physical Activity breaks, are brief periods of time in the school day when students are encouraged to participate in physical activities. They can be anything from just a few minutes of stretching or dancing to more organized games, exercises, or even mindfulness activities which require movement. Contrary to physical education (PE) classes that follow a predetermined program, the movement breaks are brief, regular interruptions to the sedentary classroom intended to boost students' energy and refresh their minds.

Examples of movement breaks

• In place running or jumping over jacks
• Stretching or Yoga Poses
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Group games that involve movement
• Guided breathing paired with light movement

The reason why movement breaks are important The science

1. Physical Health Benefits

One of the most compelling motives to include movement breaks is their positive impact on physical well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and teens should engage in at 60 minutes of exercise movement each day. A majority of students fail to comply with this requirement due to the fact that they spend long hours in school.

School breaks during movement provide numerous health benefits:

• Enhance the cardiovascular fitness
• Improve flexibility and muscle strength
• Encourage healthy weight management
• Obesity in children is a problem

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

2. Advantages to the brain and education

Contrary to the notion that spending more time in school can lead to better grades studies show that integrating breaks in movement can enhance the academic level. Physical activity increases the flow of blood to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients which are vital to cognitive function.

The most important academic benefits are:

• Attention and focus can be improved
• Enhanced memory retention
• Better problem-solving skills
• Engagement and participation
• Focus on the task is increased.

Research has shown that students who get breaks for movement return to their work with greater concentration and show higher achievement scores compared to students who do not have such breaks.

3. Mental Well-being

The mental health of children is an increasing concern with stress, anxiety, and depression affecting many school-age youngsters. Breaks in the gym play a crucial part in promoting emotional regulation and well-being.

Emotional Benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and mood improvement
• Endorphins are released and make you feel good
• Social interaction opportunities and collaboration

Exercise during the school day can provide an opportunity to release any excess anger, frustration or anxiety, assisting to create a positive school environment.

All learners benefit from movement breaks

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students who suffer from ADHD and sensory processing disorders or other special needs can benefit from movement breaks. Physical activity can help students manage their energy levels, boost executive function, and help them better take on academic tasks.

Inclusion Classrooms that are inclusive

The movement breaks are easily modified to meet the requirements of different levels of ability, age groups and learning styles. Breaks for movement can be anything from simple chair stretching up to interactive group exercises. They make sure that each student is able to thrive.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your daily routine

For Teachers

• Set a schedule: Incorporate movement breaks every 30-60 minutes. This is especially important in long blocks of instruction.
• Simple: Use routines that require no equipment or preparation, such as jumping, stretching, or quick games.
• Make it enjoyable: Integrate music, stories, or themes to keep students entertained.
• Engage students: Have students choose or lead their own favorite exercise.

For Administrators

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

For Hybrid or Remote Learning

Virtual learning is no different. Breaks for movement are equally important. Teachers may lead video-based activity sessions or provide students with movement-related challenges to complete at their homes.

Addressing Common Concerns

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

Research has shown that students who move regularly are more focused and productive in classes. The movement breaks are an Investment in learning, not distracting.

"How can we create the time to move during a packed schedule?"

Breaks for movement can be brief--just 2-5 minutes--and can be built into the transition between subjects or after time that require intense concentration. Even short activities can bring tangible benefits.

What if the classroom space we have is limited?

Many activities that require only a little space or are done by standing in front of desks. In small classrooms, sitting stretches, chair-yoga, or even simple hand and arm exercises can be beneficial.

The Impact of The Broader Impact:

It's not just about individual benefits of integrating movement breaks into your school day; it's about creating a culture in schools that promotes health, wellbeing and lifelong learning. Schools that focus on exercise are likely to have:

• Improved overall student health and fewer absences
• Improved school spirit and community
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• Academic results that are more impressive

The timing of your breaks for exercise can be synchronized with other wellness initiatives like social-emotional education, nutrition education, or programs to combat bullying.

Start with these Tips

1. Start slow: Start with just one or two breaks throughout the day.
2. Be consistent: Make movement a regular part of the daily routine.
3. Be creative: Rotate activities to keep students engaged and interested.
4. Get Feedback: Ask students and teachers for input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate success: Recognize classrooms and students who are enthusiastically involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools implement movement breaks?

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. Movement breaks are a supplement to, but not a substitute for, structured physical education.

Is it appropriate for all children?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Most effective movements require no equipment or only simple objects like balls, scarves or even music.

Integrating breaks to move into the daily school routine can provide a vast variety of benefits. The research suggests that movement is important for many reasons that include improving academic performance as well as physical health and classroom behaviour. Whether you're a teacher, administrator or parent, or even a policymaker, advocating for and implementing regular breaks in your routine can be a significant investment in the next generation's success.

Let's make moving a mandatory part of every student's school experience. Because when students move, they learn, grow and prosper.