Free Resources for School Movement Programs

The holistic development of the student is increasingly crucial in the current rapidly evolving education system. The quality of their education and the scores they score are important however, a growing amount of research highlights a crucial factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. Since sedentary classroom routines as well as increased screen time become the standard, the demand for purposeful, structured physical activities during the school day has never been more important. This guide will discuss the reason why break time is essential to every school day, the benefits they provide and provide practical tips for teachers and administrators.

What are the definitions of movement breaks in schools?

Motion breaks--also known as breaks for the brain break, activity breaks, or physical activity breaks--are brief periods during the school day where students are motivated to engage in physical activities. They can be anything from a few minutes of dancing or stretching to more formal exercises, games or mindfulness exercises which require moving. In contrast to physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed curriculum, movement breaks are quick, often frequent interruptions to sedentary classroom time designed to help students reenergize and refresh their minds.

Examples of Movement Breaks

• Jumping around or running in place Jacks
• Yoga poses or stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Group games that involve movement
• Light movement

The reason why movement breaks are important: The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effect of regular exercise breaks on the health of a person is among the main reasons to incorporate them into your routine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adolescents and children engage in 60 minutes of daily physical activity. A lot of students don't adhere to this advice due to the fact that they spend so many hours in class.

Movement Breaks in Schools Provide a variety of health benefits

• Increase your cardiovascular fitness
• Increase flexibility and muscle strength
• Healthy weight loss: Encourage healthy weight loss
• Obesity in children is a problem

Regular movement also boosts the immune system and helps in the development of lifelong healthy habits.

2. Advantages to the brain and education

Contrary to the common belief that a longer time at school leads to better grades, research has shown that taking movement breaks during class can improve the academic level of students . Physical activity increases the blood flow to your brain. This provides nutrients and oxygen that are essential to cognitive function.

The most important benefits for academics include:

• Focus and attention are improved.
• Memory retention is improved
• Better problem-solving skills
• Engagement and participation
• Increased focus on task

According to studies, students who take movement breaks are more focused and have higher scores than those who do not.

3. Mental Well-being

Mental health is an issue that concerns many students. Anxiety, stress and depression are a major concern for children who are in school. The role of exercise in managing emotions and improving mental well-being is well-known.

Emotional Benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved mood and self-esteem
• Endorphins release to give you a feeling of happiness
• Opportunity for social interaction and teamwork

Exercise during the school day provides a healthy outlet for pent-up anger, frustration, or worry, helping to create a positive school environment.

All learners benefit from breaks for movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students with ADHD, sensory processing issues or other special needs can benefit from a break in their movement. Physical activity can help these students manage their energy levels, boost their executive functioning, and enable them to better perform in academic activities.

Inclusion Classrooms that are inclusive

The movement breaks are easily modified to meet the needs of different levels of ability, age groups and learning styles. Breaks for movement can vary from simple stretches on the chair up to interactive group exercises. They make sure that each student can thrive.

How do you incorporate breaks for movement into your day

Teachers can benefit from this resource

• Create a calendar. Include movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, and especially during long blocks of instruction.
• Simple. Choose routines that are simple to complete and require minimal equipment or preparation.
• Make it fun: Integrate music, stories or themes to keep your students interested.
• Involve students: Let students suggest or lead their favorite movement exercises.

For Administrators

• Get support: Inform staff and their families of the benefits of taking breaks for movement.
• Create guidelines: Encourage or mandate daily exercise breaks across the school.
• Professional Development: Provide teachers with the necessary training and tools to conduct activity breaks in a confident manner.
• Track progress: Collect and track feedback to improve practice.

Learn from home or via hybrid learning

The need for breaks during movement is equally essential during online learning. Teachers may conduct video-based activities or give students movement tasks to do at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

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

Research shows that students who regularly move are more focused and productive in classes. The breaks during movement are an investment in learning, not an interruption.

How do we find the time needed to move, when our schedule is so packed?

You can include short breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your routine for transitions between topics or after intensive concentration. Even brief activity provides tangible advantages.

"What do we do if our classroom is limited?"

Certain activities can be done sitting next to desks or in a smaller space. Seated stretches, chair yoga or even basic arm and hand movements are effective in small classrooms.

The impact of movement breaks on School Culture

It's not only about the personal benefits of having movement breaks; it's also about creating a culture in schools that values health, wellbeing and lifelong learning. Schools that are focused on movement tend to:

• Overall health improvement for the student and fewer absences
• Improved school spirit and community
• Burnout and teacher satisfaction rates lower
• More academically successful

Movement breaks can also align with other wellness initiatives like social-emotional education, nutrition education, and anti-bullying programs.

Get Started with These Tips

1. Start with a small amount: Begin with one or two movement breaks a day and build from there.
2. Be consistent: Make movement a routine part of your daily routine.
3. Make it your own: Rotate activities to keep students entertained and engaged.
4. Solicit feedback: Ask students and teachers for feedback and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your achievement: Recognize classrooms that are enthusiastically participating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best time to introduce movement breaks?

Most experts suggest a move break every 30-60 minutes, but the timing can be altered to meet the specific needs of each school.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Movement breaks are a supplement to, not a substitute for, structured physical education.

Are movements appropriate for all children?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

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

Incorporating movements into your schoolday is an easy approach that has proven benefits. From improving academic performance and physical health to supporting the mental health of students and improving classroom behavior, the research is clear: movement matters. It is possible to invest in the future of your students whether you're a teacher or administrator as well as a parent or politician.

Let's make it a non-negotiable part of every student's school experience. Why? Because when kids move they learn, develop and prosper.