Classroom Furniture That Encourages Movement

In the current rapidly changing education system the spotlight is shifting to the overall development of students. Academic rigor and test scores are important however, a growing amount of research reveals a key element often overlooked: movement breaks in schools. The need for organized active physical activity that is purposeful in the classroom has never been more vital. Sedentary classrooms and increasing screen time are now the norm. In this article, we'll explore why movement breaks should be a cornerstone of any school's daily routine, uncover the science of their advantages, and offer practical strategies for teachers and administrators.

What are the movement breaks in schools?

Movement breaks--also known as breaks for the brain break, activity breaks or physical activity breaks are short periods within the school day when students are motivated to engage in physical activity. These breaks can include dancing, stretching, organized games, exercises or mindfulness-based activities. Contrary to the physical education (PE) classes that adhere to a prescribed curriculum, movement breaks are brief, regular interruptions to the sedentary classroom designed to re-energize students and refocus their minds.

Examples of movement breaks

• Running in place or jumping jacks
• Yoga Poses or Stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games for groups that require movement
• Light movement

Why movement breaks matter The science

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effects of daily exercise breaks for health is among the most compelling reasons for including them into your routine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children and adolescents engage in 60 minutes of regular exercise. A majority of students fail to comply with this requirement because they are occupied for too many hours in the classroom.

School breaks during movement offer several health advantages:

• Enhance cardiovascular fitness
• Strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility
• Support healthy weight management
• Combating childhood obesity

Regular exercise boosts the immune system and helps in the growth of healthy routines.

2. Benefits for the brain and education

Contrary to the belief that spending more time studying will result in better performance studies show that integrating breaks in movement can increase academic performance. Physical activity increases the flow of blood to the brain, providing nutrients and oxygen that are crucial for the functioning of the brain.

The key academic benefits are:

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

According to research, students who take movement breaks are more concentrated and achieve higher scores over those who don't.

3. Well-being in the Mental and Emotional sphere

The mental health of students is a growing concern, with stress, anxiety and depression being a major issue for school-aged children. The movement breaks play an important role in supporting emotional regulation and mental well-being.

Emotional benefits include:

• Stress and anxiety are lessened.
• Improved mood and self-esteem
• Endorphins are released and make you feel good
• Opportunity for social interaction and teamwork

The physical exercise you engage in during the day can help to release the tension and stress. This will create positive atmosphere in the classroom.

Moving Breaks to Support All Learners

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

The benefits of movement breaks are especially beneficial for those with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing challenges, or other special needs. These students will benefit from exercise to regulate their energy levels, enhancing executive function and participating in academic tasks.

Create inclusive classrooms

The movement breaks can be easily adapted to accommodate the needs of different levels of ability, age groups and learning styles. The types of breaks offered be anything from simple chair stretching up to interactive group exercises. They guarantee that each child is able to thrive.

How do you incorporate breaks for movement into your daily routine

Teachers can benefit from this toolkit

• Make a plan: Incorporate movement breaks every 30-60 minutes. This is especially important during lengthy instructional blocks.
• Make it simple. Choose routines that are simple to perform and require little equipment or preparation.
• Make it enjoyable: Integrate music, storytelling, or themes to keep students engaged.
• Engage students: Have students choose or lead their own favorite exercise.

For Administrators

• Build support: Educate staff and families on the benefits of movement breaks.
• Create policies: Encourage daily movement breaks in schools or mandate them.
• Professional development: Provide training and tools for teachers to be able to effectively lead activity breaks.
• Track the progress of your practice: Collect and track feedback to improve practices.

Learn online or via hybrid learning

Movement breaks are just as important in virtual learning. Teachers can lead live activities through video calls, or provide movement challenges for students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

"Won't movement breaks waste instructional time?"

Research shows that students who move regularly are more focused and productive in classes. The breaks during movement can be an investment in learning, not a distraction.

"How do we find time for movement in an already packed schedule?"

The duration of movement breaks is usually 2-5 minutes. They can be integrated into the transition between subjects or following periods of intense focus. Even short activities can bring tangible benefits.

"What is the best course to take if space is limited?"

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

The Impact of Movement Breaks on the School Culture

It's not just about the individual benefits of integrating exercise breaks into your school day; it's about creating a culture in schools that is centered around wellbeing, health and lifelong learning. Schools that are focused on movement tend to:

• Overall health improvement for the student and fewer absences
• School spirit and community involvement are boosted
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• Higher academic performance

Other wellness initiatives such as nutrition education, anti-bullying social-emotional education, social-emotional-learning can be aligned with the breaks in your exercise.

Get Started with These Tips

1. Begin slow: Start with just one or two breaks throughout the day.
2. Keep it regular. Include movement in your routine.
3. Get creative: Rotate activities to keep students engaged and interested.
4. Receive feedback from students and teachers: Request input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your success: Recognize classrooms that have participated with enthusiasm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools introduce breaks for movement?

Experts suggest that schools have a 30-minute break to move around. However, the frequency of breaks can be adjusted in accordance with the needs of each school.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. Absolutely not. The movement breaks aren't a substitute for organized physical education. They are designed to enhance it.

Are exercise breaks suitable for all ages?

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

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

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

Integrating breaks for exercise into each school day could provide a broad range of benefits. Research shows that movement is important for a myriad of reasons, including improving academic performance as well as physical health and classroom behavior. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, parent, or policymaker, advocating for and implementing movement breaks can be a significant investment in the next generation's success.

Let's make it a non-negotiable element of each student's school experience. Because when students move they learn, improve and flourish.