How Often Should Students Get Movement Breaks?

The overall development of the student is becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing educational landscape. The quality of their education and the scores they score are important, but a growing body of research has revealed a vital factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. The need for organized and purposeful physical activities in the classroom has never been more vital. The use of classrooms with a fixed schedule and the increase in screen time is becoming the norm. In this article we'll discuss the reasons why moving breaks should be a cornerstone of every school's daily schedule, uncover the science behind their advantages, and offer actionable strategies for educators and administrators.

What are the Movement Breaks in the 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 engage in physical activities. These breaks may include dancing, stretching, organized games, exercises or mindfulness exercises. The movement breaks, unlike physical education classes that follow an established curriculum, are often, short interruptions of the class's sedentary time. They help refocus students to reenergize their minds and stimulate their minds.

Example of Movement Breaks

• Running in place or jumping Jacks
• Yoga Poses or Stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games for groups that require movement
• Light movement

Why Movement Breaks Matter: The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effects of daily movement breaks for the health of a person is among the strongest reasons for incorporating them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and teens should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activities each day. A lot of students don't adhere to this advice due to the fact that they spend too many hours in the classroom.

Breaks in school for movement offer several health advantages:

• Improve your cardiovascular fitness
• Improve flexibility and muscle strength
• Weight management: Help support healthy weight loss
• Combating childhood obesity

Regular exercise boosts the immune system and encourages the development of lifelong healthy lifestyles.

2. Benefits for the brain and education

Contrary to the notion that spending more time in school leads to better results studies show that integrating breaks in movement can increase academic performance. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain. This delivers nutrients and oxygen that are essential to cognitive functioning.

Its primary academic benefits include:

• Focus and attention are improved.
• Improved memory retention
• Better problem-solving skills
• More engagement and more participation
• Increased focus on task

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

3. Mental and Emotional Well-being

The mental health of children is an increasing concern with anxiety, stress, and depression affecting many school-age children. The movement breaks play an important role in supporting emotional regulation and mental well-being.

Emotional Benefits are:

• Stress and anxiety are lessened.
• Self-esteem and mood improvement
• Endorphins are released to create a positive feeling
• Teamwork and social interaction

Physical activity during the school hours provides a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, frustration, or worry, helping to create a more positive school environment.

The Movement Breaks Help All Learners

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students with ADHD or sensory processing problems or other special needs can benefit from movement breaks. These students benefit from physical activity to regulate their energy levels, enhancing the ability to concentrate and taking part in academic tasks.

Create Inclusive Classrooms

The movement breaks can be easily adapted to meet the requirements of different age groups, abilities and learning styles. From simple chair stretching to interactive group activities breaks in the form of movement ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

How to incorporate breaks for exercise into your day

Teachers can benefit from this toolkit

• Create a calendar. Include movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, particularly in long instructional blocks.
• Simple. Choose routines that are easy to do and require minimal equipment or preparation.
• Make it enjoyable: Integrate music, stories, or other themes that keep students engaged.
• Involve students: Have students choose or lead their favorite exercise.

For Administrators

• Get support: Inform staff and their families of the benefits of taking movement breaks.
• Create policies: Encourage or mandate daily school breaks for all students.
• Professional development: Provide training and resources for teachers to lead activities with confidence.
• Track the progress of your practice: Collect and track feedback to improve practice.

Learn online or via hybrid learning

The need for breaks during movement is equally crucial during virtual learning. Teachers can conduct live sessions of activity on video calls or give movement-related challenges to students to work on at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

"Won't movement breaks waste instructional time?"

Contrary to popular belief, research shows that students who exercise regularly are more focused, less disruptive and more efficient during lessons. Breaks for movement are an investment into learning and not distracting.

"How do we find enough time to move in the midst of a busy schedule?"

You can include short breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your schedule in order to switch between subjects or to recover from intensive concentration. Even short activity has noticeable advantages.

What happens if the space in which we have is limited?

A lot of movement exercises require minimal space or can be done standing beside desks. In small classrooms, sitting stretches, chair-yoga, or even simple hand and arm exercises can be beneficial.

The Broader Impact: School Culture and Movement Breaks

It's not just about the individual benefits of integrating exercise breaks; it's also about establishing a culture in schools that is centered around health, wellbeing and lifelong learning. Schools that are focused on movement tend to:

• Students who are healthier and have less absences
• A rekindled sense of school spirit and a stronger sense of community
• Higher satisfaction with the teacher and lower rates of burnout
• Stronger academic outcomes

The timing of your breaks for exercise can be synchronized with other wellness programs like social-emotional education as well as nutrition education and anti-bullying programs.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Begin slowly: Start with just two or three breaks throughout the day.
2. Be consistent: Make movement a regular part of your daily routine.
3. Get creative: Rotate activities to keep students interested and engaged.
4. Get feedback from students and teachers: Request input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate success: Recognize classrooms and students who are enthusiastically involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best time to introduce breaks for movement?

Most experts recommend a movement break every 30-60 minutes, however, the time interval can be adjusted to fit 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 movement breaks appropriate for all ages?

Yes! The timing of breaks for movement can be customized for preschoolers, elementary middle, high school students.

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Most effective movements do not require any equipment or basic items such as scarves, balls, or even music.

Incorporating breaks for movement into the daily school routine could provide a broad array of advantages. From improving academic performance and physical health to supporting mental well-being and classroom behavior, the research is clear that movement is important. It is possible to make a difference in the lives of your students, whether you're a teacher or administrator, a parent or a politician.

Make movement an essential element of school life for all students. Students learn, develop and prosper when they move.