The Role of Movement Breaks in Preventing Injury

The holistic development of the child is increasingly crucial in today's rapidly changing educational landscape. The quality of their education and the scores they score remain important however, a growing amount of research highlights a crucial aspect that is often ignored: movement breaks in schools. The need for organized, purposeful physical activity in the classroom is more crucial than ever. The use of classrooms with a fixed schedule and the increase in screen time is becoming the commonplace. In this guide we'll discuss the reasons why moving breaks should be a cornerstone of any school's daily routine and uncover the science behind their advantages, and offer actionable strategies for educators and administrators.

What are the movement breaks in schools?

Movement breaks--also known as breaks for the brain, activity breaks or physical activity breaks are short breaks during the school day during which students are motivated to engage in physical activities. These breaks can range from a few minutes of dancing or stretching, to more organized games, exercises or mindfulness exercises which require movements. Breaks for movement, in contrast to physical education classes that follow a curriculum, are frequent and short interruptions in sedentary class time. They can help students refocus their' minds and reenergize them.

Examples of Movement Breaks

• Jumping jacks or running in the same
• Yoga or stretching poses
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Group games that require movement
• Guided breathing paired with light movement

Why it is important to break the movement of a person: The science

1. Physical Health Benefits

One of the most compelling motives to include movement breaks is their positive effects on physical health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adolescents and children engage in 60 minutes of exercise. However, many students do not meet this requirement due to long hours spent in the classroom.

School-based movement breaks provide a number of health benefits

• Improve your cardiovascular fitness
• Strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility
• Weight management: Support healthy weight loss
• Combating childhood obesity

Regular exercise also improves the immune system, and also encourages the development of lifelong healthy habits.

2. Cognitive and academic benefits

Contrary to popular belief that spending more time studying will result in better performance, research shows that integrating breaks for movement can enhance academic performance. Physical activity boosts the flow of blood to the brain, providing nutrients and oxygen which are vital for cognitive functioning.

The most important academic benefits are:

• Increased focus and attention
• Memory retention is improved
• Better problem-solving skills
• Higher engagement and participation
• A greater focus on the task

According to studies the students who have movement breaks are more concentrated and score higher than students who don't.

3. Well-being of the Mind and Emotions

The mental wellbeing of students is an increasing concern with stress, anxiety and depression being a major issue for school-aged children. The importance of movement breaks in regulating emotions and encouraging mental health is well known.

Emotional Benefits are:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and improved mood
• Release of "feel good" endorphins
• Opportunity for social interaction and collaboration

Physical activity during the school day provides an outlet for the accumulated anger, frustration or anxiety, assisting to create a comfortable and positive environment in the classroom.

All learners benefit from movement breaks

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students suffering from ADHD, sensory processing issues or other disabilities may benefit from movement breaks. Students with these conditions benefit from physical activity in regulating their energy levels, enhancing executive function and participating in academic activities.

Creating Inclusive Classrooms

The movement breaks can easily be adapted to meet the requirements of various age groups, abilities and learning styles. Breaks for movement can vary from simple stretches on the chair all the way to group-based interactive exercises. They make sure that every student can succeed.

How to incorporate breaks for exercise into your day

Teachers can benefit from this resource

• Create 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 running, jumping, or quick games.
• Fun: Integrate music, storytelling, or themes to keep students entertained.
• Involve students: Have students choose or lead their preferred exercise.

For Administrators

• Get support: Inform staff and their families about the advantages 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 confidently.
• Follow progress: Collect feedback and monitor results to improve practices.

For Hybrid or Remote Learning

The need for breaks during movement is equally essential during online learning. Teachers can facilitate video-based activity sessions or give students movement tasks they can complete at their homes.

Addressing Common Concerns

Do movement breaks eat up time in the classroom?

Studies show that students who regularly move are more productive and focused in class. The movement breaks are an investment in learning, not a distraction.

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

It is possible to incorporate short breaks (between 2-5 minutes) in your daily routine for transitions between different topics or following intensive concentration. Even brief activity provides significant benefits.

What happens if the space in which that we have available is not enough?

A lot of movement exercises require minimal space or can be done sitting at desks. In small classrooms, sitting stretches, chair-yoga, or simple arm and hand movements can be effective.

The Impact of Movement Breaks on School Culture

Incorporating breaks for movement isn't just about the individual benefit; it's about building the school's culture of well-being, health and lifelong learning. Schools that emphasize exercise are likely to have:

• Improved overall student health and less absences
• The spirit of school and involvement in the community are boosted
• More teacher satisfaction and lower burnout rates
• Higher academic performance

Other wellness-related initiatives, like education on nutrition, anti-bullying, social-emotional training, and social-emotional-learning can be aligned with breaks for movement.

Tips to Get Started

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the recommended frequency for schools to introduce breaks for movement?

Experts recommend that schools should take a 30 minute break to move around. But, the duration of breaks can be altered according to each school's needs.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Absolutely not. Movement breaks are not an alternative to structured exercise. They are meant to enhance it.

Are fitness breaks appropriate for everyone?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. A lot of effective activities for movement do not require any equipment or simple items like balls, scarves, or even music.

Incorporating breaks for movement into each school day could provide a broad array of advantages. The research shows that movement is important for a variety of reasons, including improving academic performance as well as physical health and classroom behaviour. If you're a teacher administrator, parent, or an advocate for policy, promoting and implementing regular breaks in your routine is a way to invest in the future of our children's success.

Include movement as an integral part of the school experience for all students. Learners grow and prosper when they move.