Developing Partnerships with PE Teachers

The overall growth of the student is becoming increasingly important in the rapidly changing educational environment. While academic rigor and scores on tests remain important, a growing body research highlights an element that is often overlooked: breaks for movement in schools. As sedentary classroom routines and more screen time are becoming the norm, the need for purposeful, structured physical activities during the school day has never been more important. This guide will explore why movement breaks are essential to every school day, the benefits they offer and provide practical tips for teachers and administrators.

What are the definitions of movement breaks in schools?

Movement Breaks Also known as Brain Breaks, Activity breaks, or Physical Activity breaks, are short periods in the school day when students are encouraged to engage with physical activity. They can be a time for dancing, stretching, structured exercises or games, or mindfulness exercises. In contrast to the physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed schedule, these breaks are short, frequent interruptions to sedentary classroom time designed to help students reenergize and refresh their minds.

Examples of movement breaks

• Jumping jacks or running in the same
• Stretching or yoga poses
• 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 impact of movement breaks on the health of a person is among the strongest reasons for incorporating them into your routine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents must engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. A majority of students fail to comply with this requirement due to the fact that they spend so many hours in class.

School breaks during movement can provide a variety of health benefits:

• Improve your cardiovascular fitness
• Increase flexibility and muscle strength
• Weight management: Support healthy weight loss
• Help combat childhood obesity

Regular exercise improves your immune system and encourages healthy habits for life.

2. Benefits for the Brain and Education

Contrary to popular belief that spending more time in school leads to better results studies show that integrating breaks for movement can increase academic performance. Physical activity increases the flow of blood to the brain, providing oxygen and nutrients that are crucial to cognitive function.

The most important academic benefits are:

• Focus and attention can be improved
• Memory retention is improved
• Better problem-solving skills
• More engagement and more participation
• Increased focus on task

According to research that have been conducted, students who exercise during breaks are more concentrated and score higher than those who do not.

3. Mental and Emotional Well-being

Mental health is a matter that is a concern for many students. Anxiety, stress and depression affect many students of school age. The role of exercise in regulating emotions and encouraging mental health is widely known.

Emotional benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and mood improvement
• Endorphins are released to give you a feeling of happiness
• Opportunity for social interaction and teamwork

Physical activity during the school day can provide an opportunity to release any excess tension, anger or anxiety, which can help to create a more comfortable and positive environment in the classroom.

All students benefit from breaks in movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students with ADHD and sensory processing disorders or other disabilities may benefit from a break in their movement. These students benefit from physical activity by regulating their energy levels, enhancing their executive functioning and completing academic activities.

Create Inclusive Classrooms

The movement breaks are easily modified to accommodate the needs of different age groups, abilities and learning styles. From simple chair stretching to group-based activities that are interactive, movement breaks make sure that each student is able to thrive.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your day

Teachers can profit from this toolkit

• Create a schedule. Include movement breaks every 30-60 mins, especially in lengthy instructional blocks.
• Simple. Choose routines that are simple to complete and require no equipment or preparation.
• Make it enjoyable: Integrate music, stories, or themes to keep students engaged.
• Engage students: Let students suggest or lead their favorite movement exercises.

For Administrators

• Get support: Inform staff and their families about the advantages of taking a break to move.
• Create guidelines: Encourage or mandate daily movement breaks school-wide.
• Professional development: Provide training and materials for teachers on how to confidently lead activity breaks.
• Follow the progress of the practice: Collect feedback and monitor results to improve practices.

for Hybrid or Remote Learning

Virtual learning isn't any different. The breaks for movement are equally important. Teachers can facilitate live activities 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 studies show that students who move regularly are more focused, less disruptive, and more efficient during lessons. Movement breaks are an Investment in learning, not an interruption.

"How do we make enough time to move in an already packed schedule?"

It is possible to incorporate brief breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your schedule for transitions between subjects or to recover from intensive concentration. Even short activity has noticeable benefits.

What if the classroom space we have isn't enough?

Certain activities can be done standing next to desks or in a smaller space. In smaller classrooms, seated stretching, chair-yoga or simple arm and hand moves can be very effective.

The Greater Impact: School Culture and Movement Breaks

It's not just about individual benefits of integrating movement breaks, but also about establishing a culture in schools that promotes wellbeing, health, and lifelong education. Schools that are focused on movement tend to:

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

Other wellness programs, such as education on nutrition, anti-bullying and social-emotional learning, as well as social-emotional-learning could be linked to the breaks in your exercise.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Start with a small amount: Begin with one or two break breaks per day, and then increase the number of breaks.
2. Be regular. Include movement in your routine.
3. Be imaginative: Rotate the activities to keep the students interested.
4. Ask for Feedback: Ask students and teachers for their input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate success: Recognize classrooms and students who participate with enthusiasm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools implement movement breaks?

Experts suggest schools should take a 30 minute break to walk around. However, the duration of breaks can be adjusted in accordance with the needs of each school.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Absolutely not. Movement breaks are not as a substitute for organized exercise. They are designed to complement it.

Is it appropriate for all ages of children?

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. Certain of the most efficient movements require minimal or no equipment, like scarves and music or balls.

Integrating breaks for exercise into each school day can provide a vast range of benefits. Research shows that movement is important for many 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 a policymaker, advocating for and implementing movement breaks can be a significant investment in the success of the next generation.

Make movement an essential element of school life for all students. Students learn, develop and prosper by moving.