Overcoming Resistance: Getting Staff on Board with Movement Breaks

In the current rapidly changing educational environment The spotlight is now focused on the holistic growth of students. Test scores and academic rigor remain crucial however, a growing amount of research has revealed a vital element often overlooked: movement breaks in schools. With sedentary classrooms and more screen time are becoming the commonplace, the need for structured, purposeful physical activity during the school day has never been more urgent. In this article we'll look at the reasons why exercise breaks should be a cornerstone of any school's daily routine, uncover the science behind their benefits, and provide concrete strategies 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 brief periods of time during the school day where students are encouraged engage in physical activities. They can be a time for dancing, stretching, structured exercises or games, or mindfulness-based activities. Unlike physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed program, the movement breaks are short, frequent interruptions to the sedentary classroom designed to help students reenergize and refocus their minds.

Examples of movement breaks

• In place running or jumping Jacks
• Yoga Poses or Stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games that require group participation.
• Light movement

Why movement breaks matter The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

One of the strongest reasons to incorporate movement breaks is their positive effects on physical health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents get 60 minutes of exercise. But, many children aren't meeting this standard because they are unable to spend enough time sitting in classrooms.

School-based movement breaks provide a number of health benefits

• Enhance the cardiovascular fitness
• Increase flexibility and muscle strength
• Weight management: Help support healthy weight loss
• Combating childhood obesity

Regular exercise also improves your immune system, and encourages good habits that last for a lifetime.

2. Advantages to the Brain and Education

Contrary to popular belief that spending more time studying will result in better performance, research shows that integrating breaks for movement can improve the academic level. Exercise increases circulation of blood to your brain. This delivers oxygen and nutrients essential for brain function.

Key academic benefits include:

• Attention and focus can be improved
• Improved memory retention
• Better problem-solving skills
• Participation and engagement that is more active
• An increase in focus on task behavior

According to studies, students who take movement breaks are more concentrated and achieve higher scores than students who don't.

3. Mental Well-being

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

Emotional Benefits are:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and mood improvement
• Endorphins release to create a positive feeling
• Opportunities for social interaction and teamwork

Exercise during the school day provides an opportunity to release any excess energy, frustration or anxiety, assisting to create a more positive school environment.

All students benefit from breaks in movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Breaks during movement are particularly beneficial to students suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), problems with sensory processing or other special needs. Physical exercise can help students manage their energy levels, boost executive function, and better participate in academic tasks.

Create inclusive classrooms

Movement breaks are easily modified to accommodate the needs of various age groups, abilities and learning styles. From simple stretches on the chair to group-based activities that are interactive, movement breaks ensure that every child gets the chance to thrive.

Methods for incorporating movement into your workout Breaks

Teachers can benefit from this resource

• Make a plan: Incorporate movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, especially during long instructional blocks.
• Simple. Choose routines that are simple to complete and require no equipment or preparation.
• Have fun with it! Make use of stories, music or themes to entice students.
• Engage students: Have students choose or lead their favorite movement activities.

For Administrators

• 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 training and resources for teachers to be able to effectively lead activity breaks.
• Track improvements: Collect and track feedback to improve practices.

Learn from home or via hybrid learning

Virtual learning is no different. The breaks for movement are equally crucial. Teachers can conduct live sessions of activity on video calls or provide movement challenges for students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

Are movement breaks time-wasters in the class?

Contrary to popular belief, research shows that students who exercise regularly are more focused, less disruptive and are more effective during their lessons. Movement breaks are an Investment in learning, not a distraction.

"How do we make the time to move during the midst of a busy schedule?"

The duration of movement breaks is usually 2-5 minutes--and can be built into transitions between subjects or following periods that require intense concentration. Even short activities have obvious benefits.

What if the classroom space we have is limited?

Certain activities can be done sitting next to desks or in a small space. In small classrooms, seated yoga, stretches in a chair, or simple arm and hand exercises can be beneficial.

The Greater Impact: The Broader Impact:

It's not just about individual benefits of integrating movement breaks into your school day; it's about establishing a culture in schools that promotes well-being, health and lifelong learning. Schools that prioritize the importance of movement are more likely to experience:

• Healthier overall for students and less absences
• Enhanced school spirit and community
• Greater teacher satisfaction and lower rates of burnout
• Higher academic performance

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

Start by implementing these tips

1. Begin slow: Start with just one or two breaks throughout the day.
2. Keep it constant. Include movement in your daily routine.
3. Make it your own: Rotate activities to keep students engaged and interested.
4. Get Feedback: Ask students and teachers for their input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate success: Recognize classrooms and students who are enthusiastically involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best time to start introducing movement breaks?

Experts suggest that schools should take a 30 minute break to walk around. However, the duration of breaks is adjustable 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 designed to complement it.

Are fitness breaks appropriate for everyone?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Some of the most effective exercises require minimal or no equipment, including scarves and music or balls.

Incorporating the benefits of movement into each school day is an easy method that is based on research and has a wide range of benefits. The research suggests that movement is important for many reasons which include improving academic performance and physical health as well as classroom behavior. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, parent, or the policymaker, advocating for and implementing breaks for movement is an investment in the success of the next generation.

Let's make it a non-negotiable element of every student's educational experience. Because when students move they learn, develop and flourish.