Teacher Self-Care: Move with Your Students

In the current rapidly changing educational landscape the spotlight is shifting to the overall development of students. The quality of their education and the scores they score are important however, a growing body of research highlights a crucial element often overlooked: movement breaks in schools. The need for structured active physical activity that is purposeful in the classroom is more crucial than ever. Sedentary classrooms and increasing screen time are now the commonplace. This guide will explore the reasons why breaks for movement are an important part of every school day, what advantages they bring and provide practical tips for administrators and teachers.

What are movement breaks in schools?

Movement Breaks, also known as Brain breaks, Activity breaks or physical activity breaks are brief periods of time in the school day when students are encouraged to participate in physical activities. These breaks can include dancing, stretching, or other structured games or exercises, or mindfulness activities. In contrast to the physical education (PE) classes, which follow a set curriculum, movement breaks are brief, regular interruptions to sedentary classroom time designed to re-energize students and help them refocus their minds.

Example of Movement Breaks

• Jumping around or running in place jacks
• Yoga Poses or Stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games for groups that require movement
• Guided breathing paired with light movement

Why Movement Breaks Matter The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

One of the main reasons to incorporate movement breaks is their positive impact on physical health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adolescents and children engage in 60 minutes of exercise. A lot of students don't comply with this requirement because they spend so many hours in class.

Breaks in school for movement offer several health advantages:

• Improve your cardiovascular fitness
• Improve flexibility and muscle strength
• Encourage healthy weight management
• Help combat childhood obesity

Regular exercise also improves your immune system, and encourages lifestyle changes that are healthy for your future.

2. Advantages to the brain and education

Contrary to the notion that more time on academics can lead to better grades Research has shown that incorporating movement breaks can actually improve academic performance. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain. This delivers nutrients and oxygen that are essential to brain function.

The main academic benefits include:

• Attention and focus can be improved
• Memory retention is increased
• Better problem-solving skills
• More engagement and more participation
• Focus on the task is increased.

According to research the students who have movement breaks are more concentrated and score higher over those who don't.

3. Mental Well-being

Mental health is a concern that affects a lot of students. Stress, anxiety and depression affect many students who are in school. The importance of regular exercise in managing emotions and improving mental health is widely known.

Benefits for the emotional side include:

• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and improved mood
• Release of "feel good" endorphins
• Social interaction and teamwork

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

Moving Breaks to Support All Learners

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Students who suffer from ADHD and sensory processing disorders or other special needs can benefit from movement breaks. Physical activity can help these students regulate their energy levels, improve executive function, and better participate in academic tasks.

Designing inclusive classrooms

Since movement breaks can be easily adapted they can be tailored to meet the requirements of various age groups and physical abilities as well as learning style. From simple stretches on the chair to interactive group activities movement breaks make sure that that every child gets the chance to succeed.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your day

For Teachers

• Create a calendar. Include movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, and especially during long blocks of instruction.
• It's easy. Choose routines that are easy to do and require minimal equipment or preparation.
• Fun: Integrate music, storytelling or themes to keep your students interested.
• Engage students: Have students choose or lead their favorite exercise.

For Administrators

• Support: Inform staff and their families of the benefits of taking a break to move.
• Develop guidelines: Encourage daily movement breaks in schools or require them.
• Professional development: Provide training and materials for teachers on how to confidently lead activity breaks.
• Track progress: Collect feedback and record outcomes to help refine methods.

Learn from home or via hybrid learning

Breaks for movement are equally important in virtual learning. Teachers can either facilitate video-based activity sessions or provide students with movement-related challenges to do at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

"Won't movements breaks waste instructional time?"

However, research shows that students who exercise regularly are more focused, less disruptive and more efficient during lessons. Breaks for movement are an investment in learning, not a distraction.

"How can we create time for movement in the midst of a busy schedule?"

You can incorporate brief breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your routine for transitions between topics or after intense concentration. Even brief activity provides tangible benefits.

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

Some exercises can be completed sitting next to desks or in a small space. In smaller classrooms, seated stretching, chair-yoga or just simple hand and arm movements can be effective.

The Effects of Movement Breaks on the school culture

Incorporating breaks for movement isn't just about personal benefits, it's about building a school culture that values health, well-being and lifelong learning. Movement-focused schools tend to:

• Improved overall student health and fewer absences
• A rekindled sense of school spirit and a stronger sense of community
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• Stronger academic outcomes

Other wellness initiatives such as bullying prevention, nutrition education and social-emotional learning, as well as social-emotional learning can be incorporated into the breaks in your exercise.

Start with these Tips

1. Start with a small amount: Begin with one or two movement breaks a day, and then increase the number of breaks.
2. Be consistent: Make movement a regular part of your daily routine.
3. Be imaginative: Rotate the activities to keep the students interested.
4. Get feedback from teachers and students: Request input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate success: Recognize classrooms and students who enthusiastically participate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best time to introduce breaks for movement?

Most experts suggest a move break every 30-60 minutes but the frequency can be adjusted to suit each school's unique needs.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Movement breaks are a supplement to--not a replacement for--structured physical education.

Is movement appropriate for all ages of children?

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

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Some of the most effective moves require minimal or no equipment, like scarves, music, or balls.

Incorporating the benefits of movement into each school day is a simple approach that has proven advantages. The research shows that movement is important for many reasons, including improving academic performance, physical health and classroom behavior. It is possible to invest in the future of your students, whether you are an administrator or teacher, a parent or a politician.

Let's make it a non-negotiable element of each student's school experience--because when students move, they learn, grow and prosper.