Case Study: Movement Breaks in Urban Schools

The holistic development of the child is becoming increasingly important in the current rapidly evolving education system. Academic rigor and test scores remain important, but a growing body of research reveals a key factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. The need for organized, purposeful physical activity in the classroom has never been more important. Classrooms that are confined to a single room and a growing amount of screen time are becoming the norm. In this article we'll look at the reasons why exercise breaks should be a cornerstone of every school's daily schedule as well as the scientific basis that explains their benefits, and provide concrete strategies for teachers and administrators.

What are movement breaks in the Schools?

Motion breaks--also called brain breaks, activity breaks or physical activity breaks are brief periods during the school day where students are required to participate in physical activity. These breaks may include dancing, stretching, or other structured exercises or games, or mindfulness-based activities. Contrary to physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed curriculum, movement breaks are short, frequent interruptions to the sedentary classroom intended to boost students' energy and refocus their minds.

Example of Movement Breaks

• Running in place or jumping jacks
• Yoga or stretching poses
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games for groups that require movement
• Guided breathing combined with light movement

Why movement breaks matter The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effects of daily physical activity breaks for health is one of the most compelling reasons for including these breaks into your daily routine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and teens should engage in at 60 minutes of exercise activity daily. Yet, many students aren't meeting this standard due to long hours spent in the classroom.

Moving breaks in schools provide a number of health benefits

• Increase your cardiovascular fitness
• Increase flexibility and strength of muscles
• Encourage healthy weight management
• Help combat childhood obesity

Regular movement also boosts the immune system and encourages the creation of long-term healthy lifestyles.

2. Cognitive and Academic Benefits

Contrary to popular belief that more time on academics leads to better results Research has shown that incorporating breaks for movement can improve academic performance. Exercise increases circulation of blood to your brain. This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients that are vital for cognitive functioning.

The main benefits for academics include:

• Attention and focus can be improved
• Memory retention is improved
• Better problem-solving skills
• Engagement and participation
• An increase in focus on task behavior

According to research, students who take movement breaks are more focused and achieve higher scores than those who do not.

3. Mental and Emotional Well-being

The mental health of children 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 promoting mental health is well known.

Emotional Benefits are:

• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and mood improvement
• Release of "feel good" endorphins
• Opportunities for social interaction and teamwork

Physical activity during school day can provide a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, frustration or anxiety, assisting to create a more comfortable and positive environment in the classroom.

All students benefit from breaks in movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Breaks during movement are particularly beneficial for those with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and problems with sensory processing or with other disabilities. Students with these conditions benefit from physical activity by regulating their energy levels, improving their executive functioning and completing academic tasks.

Inclusion Classrooms that are inclusive

Breaks in the movement are easily modified to meet the needs of various levels of ability, age groups and learning styles. Movement breaks can vary from simple stretches on the chair all the way to group-based interactive exercises. They guarantee that every student is able to thrive.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Movement Breaks

Teachers can benefit from this toolkit

• Create a schedule. Include movement breaks every 30-60 mins, especially in lengthy instructional blocks.
• It's easy. Choose routines that are easy to do and require no equipment or preparation.
• Enjoy it! Use music, stories or themes to entice students.
• Get students involved: Have students choose or lead their preferred movement activities.

For Administrators

• Support for building: Educate staff and families about the benefits of movement breaks.
• Develop guidelines: Encourage daily movement breaks in schools, or even mandate them.
• Professional Development: Provide teachers with training and resources to lead activity breaks confidently.
• Track improvements: Collect and track feedback to improve practice.

for Hybrid or Remote Learning

Virtual learning is not any different. The breaks for movement are equally crucial. Teachers can either lead video-based activity sessions or provide students with movement-related challenges to complete at their homes.

Addressing Common Concerns

Will movement breaks waste time in the classroom?

Contrary to popular belief, research shows that students who regularly move are more concentrated, less disruptive and more efficient during lessons. The movement breaks are an Investment in learning, not distracting.

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

You can include brief breaks (between 2-5 minutes) into your routine in order to switch between different topics or following an intense focus. Even brief activity provides tangible advantages.

What if the classroom space we have is limited?

Certain activities can be done standing next to desks or in a small space. Chair yoga, seated stretches or even basic arm and hand movements are effective in small classrooms.

The Impact of Movement Breaks and School Culture

It's not just about individual benefits of integrating movement breaks, but also about establishing a culture within schools that promotes wellbeing, health and lifelong learning. Schools that focus on the importance of movement are more likely to experience:

• Students with better health and less absences
• Enhanced school spirit and community
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• Higher academic performance

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

Tips to get started

1. Begin slowly: Start with just one or two breaks throughout the day.
2. Be regular: Make movement a routine part of your daily routine.
3. Get creative: Rotate activities to keep students entertained and engaged.
4. Solicit feedback: Ask students and teachers for input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your success: Recognize classrooms that have enthusiastically participated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools introduce breaks for movement?

Most experts suggest a move break every 30-60 minutes but the timing can be altered to meet each school's unique needs.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Absolutely not. The movement breaks aren't a substitute for structured exercise. They are intended to supplement it.

Are exercise breaks suitable for everyone?

Yes! Breaks for movement can be adapted for preschoolers, elementary middle, high school students.

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Most effective movements need no equipment, or just simple items like scarves, balls, or music.

Incorporating movement breaks into every schoolday is a simple method that is based on research and has a wide range of benefits. Research shows that movement is important for many reasons, including improving academic performance as well as physical health and classroom behavior. No matter if you're a teacher administrator or parent, or a policymaker, advocating for and implementing regular breaks in your routine is a way to invest in the success of the next generation.

Let's make movement a non-negotiable element of each student's school experience. Why? Because when kids move they learn, develop and flourish.