Evaluating Movement Break Programs: What Works

The overall development of the student is becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing educational environment. Test scores and academic rigor remain crucial, but a growing body of research has revealed a vital factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. The need for organized, purposeful physical activity in the classroom is more crucial than ever. Classrooms that are confined to a single room and a growing amount of screen time is becoming the commonplace. This guide will explore the reasons why breaks for movement are an important part of every school day, and the benefits they provide and provide practical tips for administrators and teachers.

What are the 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 encouraged to engage in physical activities. The breaks may range from just a few minutes of stretching or dancing to more organized exercises, games or mindfulness exercises that require movement. The movement breaks, unlike classes in physical education, which follow a curriculum, are frequent brief interruptions to sedentary class time. They aid in refocusing students to reenergize their minds and stimulate 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 require movement
• Breathing guided by a guide, paired with gentle movement

Why movement breaks matter: The science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effect of regular exercise breaks for the health of a person is one of the main reasons to incorporate them into your routine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and teens should engage in at 60 minutes of exercise activities each day. A lot of students don't adhere to this advice because they are occupied for long hours in school.

Movement breaks in schools offer several health advantages:

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

Regular exercise can also boost your immune system and helps you maintain healthy habits for life.

2. Benefits for the brain and education

Contrary to popular belief that spending more time in school will result in better performance studies show that integrating breaks for movement can enhance the academic level. Exercise increases the flow of blood to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients that are crucial to cognitive function.

The main academic benefits are:

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

According to research that have been conducted, students who exercise during breaks are more focused and achieve higher scores over those who don't.

3. Well-being of the Mind and Emotions

The mental health of children is an increasing concern with stress, anxiety, and depression being a major issue for school-aged youngsters. The importance of movement breaks in managing emotions and improving mental health is widely known.

Emotional benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and improved mood
• Endorphins release to give you a feeling of happiness
• Social interaction and teamwork

Exercise during the school day provides a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, frustration or anxiety, assisting to create a positive school environment.

Moving Breaks to Support All Learners

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Movement breaks are particularly beneficial for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing challenges, or other special needs. Physical activity can help students manage their energy levels, boost executive function, and better take on academic tasks.

Inclusion Classrooms that are inclusive

Because movement breaks can be easily adapted and customizable, they can be adapted to meet the requirements of various age groups physical capabilities, as well as learning methods. The types of breaks offered be anything from simple chair stretching through interactive group exercises. They make sure that each student is able to thrive.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your daily routine

Teachers can profit from this resource

• Create a schedule: Incorporate movement breaks every 30-60 minutes. This is especially important during lengthy instructional blocks.
• Keep it simple: Use routines that require only minimal equipment or preparation - think stretching, jumping or games that are quick and easy to play.
• Have fun with it! Use music, stories, or themes to get students involved.
• Engage students: Let students suggest or lead their favorite movement exercises.

For Administrators

• Support for building: Educate staff and family members about the benefits of regular breaks for movement.
• Develop guidelines: Encourage daily movement breaks in schools or require these breaks.
• Professional Development: Provide teachers with information and training to guide activity breaks confidently.
• Track progress: Collect and track feedback to improve practices.

Learn from home or via hybrid learning

Virtual learning is not any different. The breaks for movement are just as important. Teachers can lead live activity sessions on video calls or assign movement challenges for students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

Do movement breaks eat up time in the classroom?

However research has shown that students who exercise regularly are more concentrated, less disruptive and are more effective during their lessons. The breaks during movement can be an investment in learning, not an interruption.

How do we make time to move when our schedules are so jam-packed?

The duration of movement breaks is usually 2-5 minutes. They can be integrated into the transition between subjects or following time of intense focus. Even a short amount of activity can have noticeable advantages.

"What do we do if our classroom isn't enough?"

Certain activities can be done standing next to desks or in a tiny space. In small classrooms, sitting yoga, stretches in a chair, or even simple hand and arm movements can be effective.

The Impact of Movement Breaks on the school culture

It's not only about the personal benefits of having movement breaks, but also about establishing a culture within schools that values health, wellbeing, and lifelong education. Movement-focused schools tend to:

• Overall health improvement for the student and fewer absences
• Enhanced school spirit and community
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• More academically successful

Other wellness programs, such as bullying prevention, nutrition education social-emotional education, social-emotional-learning can be aligned with breaks for movement.

Start by implementing these tips

1. Begin slowly: Start with just two or three breaks throughout the day.
2. Be consistent. Include movement in your routine.
3. Be creative: Rotate the activities to keep students engaged.
4. Solicit feedback: Ask students and teachers for input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your achievement: Recognize classrooms that are enthusiastically participating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools implement movement breaks?

Experts suggest schools have a 30-minute break to move around. But, the duration of breaks is adjustable in accordance with the needs of each school.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Breaks for movement are a complement to, but not a substitute for, structured physical education.

Is movement appropriate for all ages of children?

Yes! Breaks for movement can be adapted for preschoolers, elementary, middle, and high school students.

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

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

Incorporating movement breaks into every schoolday is an easy, evidence-based strategy with far-reaching advantages. The research shows that physical activity is crucial for a myriad of reasons which include improving academic performance as well as physical health and classroom behaviour. No matter if you're a teacher administrator or parent, or even a the policymaker, advocating for and implementing breaks for movement is an investment in the success of the next generation.

Let's make moving a mandatory element of each student's school experience--because when students move they learn, improve and prosper.