Using Art and Movement Together

The holistic development of the child is increasingly crucial in the current rapidly evolving education system. Academic rigor and test scores are important, but a growing body of research highlights a crucial factor that is often left unnoticed: movement breaks in schools. With sedentary classrooms and more screen time are becoming the norm, the need for a purposeful, organized physical activities during the school day has never been greater. In this article we'll discuss the reasons why moving breaks should be a cornerstone of every school's day-to-day schedule as well as the scientific basis that explains their benefits, and provide concrete strategies for teachers and administrators.

What are the Movement Breaks in Schools?

Movement Breaks are also referred to as Brain breaks, Activity breaks or Physical Activity breaks are brief periods of time during the school day where students are encouraged to participate in physical activities. They can be anything from a few minutes of dancing or stretching, to more organized exercises, games or mindfulness exercises that require movements. The movement breaks, unlike classes in physical education, which follow an established curriculum, are often brief interruptions to sedentary class time. They aid in refocusing students to reenergize their minds and stimulate their minds.

Examples of Movement Breaks

• Jumping jacks or running in the same
• Yoga or stretching poses
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games that require group participation.
• Light movement

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

1. Physical Health Benefits

The positive effects of daily physical activity breaks on the health of a person is among the main reasons to incorporate them into your routine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents must engage in at least 60 minutes of physical movement each day. A majority of students fail to adhere to this advice because they spend so many hours in class.

Movement breaks in schools offer several health advantages:

• Improve your the cardiovascular fitness
• Improve flexibility and strength of muscles
• Support healthy weight management
• Help combat childhood obesity

Regular exercise can also boost your immune system and helps you maintain lifestyle changes that are healthy for your future.

2. Advantages to the Brain and Education

Contrary to the common belief that spending more time in school results in better scores, research has proven that taking movement breaks in class can boost academic performance . Physical activity increases the blood flow to your brain. This provides oxygen and nutrients essential for cognitive functioning.

The most important academic benefits include:

• Focus and attention can be improved
• Improved memory retention
• Better problem-solving skills
• Engagement and participation
• Focus on the task is increased.

Studies have found that students who get breaks to move return to work with greater focus and demonstrate better achievement scores than students who do not have such breaks.

3. Mental Well-being

Mental health is a matter that concerns many students. Stress, anxiety and depression affect many youngsters of school age. Movement breaks play a significant role in helping to regulate emotions and mental well-being.

Emotional Benefits include:

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

Physical activity during the day can help to let go of any tension, frustration or worry. This creates positive atmosphere 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), difficulties with sensory processing, or other special needs. Students with these conditions can benefit from physical activity by regulating their energy levels, increasing the ability to concentrate and taking part in academic activities.

Create inclusive classrooms

Breaks in the movement can be easily adapted to accommodate the needs of different types of age groups, abilities and learning styles. Movement breaks can be anything from simple chair stretching through interactive group exercises. They ensure that each student can succeed.

How to incorporate movement breaks into your daily routine

For Teachers

• Create a calendar. Include movement breaks every 30-60 mins, especially during long blocks of instruction.
• Keep it simple: Use routines that require only minimal equipment or preparation - think stretching, jumping or games that are quick and easy to play.
• Enjoy it: Make use of stories, music, or themes to engage students.
• Involve students: Have students choose or lead their favorite movement activities.

For Administrators

• Support for building: Educate staff and families on the benefits of movement breaks.
• Develop guidelines: Encourage daily movement breaks in schools, or even mandate these breaks.
• Professional development: Provide training and tools for teachers to lead activities with confidence.
• Track the progress of the practice: Collect feedback and track outcomes to refine practices.

For Hybrid or Remote Learning

The need for breaks during movement is equally essential during online learning. Teachers can conduct live sessions of activity via video calls or give movement-related challenges to students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

Will movement breaks waste time in the class?

On the contrary research has shown that students who regularly move are more focused, less disruptive, and are more effective during their lessons. Movement breaks are an investment in learning, not distracting.

How can we fit in time to move when our schedules are jammed?

Breaks for movement can be brief--just 2-5 minutes. They can also be incorporated into transitions between subjects or following periods of intense focus. Even a short amount of activity can have noticeable advantages.

"What if our classroom space isn't enough?"

Some activities can be performed standing next to desks or in a small space. In small classrooms, sitting stretching, chair-yoga or simple arm and hand exercises can be beneficial.

The Greater Impact: Movement Breaks and School Culture

It's not just about the personal benefits of having movement breaks, but also about establishing a culture within schools that promotes wellbeing, health and lifelong learning. Schools that emphasize movement tend to experience:

• Overall health improvement for the student and less absences
• Enhanced school spirit and community
• More teacher satisfaction and lower burnout rates
• Higher academic performance

Other wellness programs, such as bullying prevention, nutrition education social-emotional education, social-emotional-learning could be linked to breaks for movement.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Begin slow: Start with just two or three breaks throughout the day.
2. Be consistent: Make movement a routine part of your daily routine.
3. Be creative: Rotate activities to keep students interested and engaged.
4. Solicit feedback: Ask students and teachers for feedback and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your achievement: Recognize classrooms that are enthusiastically participating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should schools start introducing breaks for movement?

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

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

No. The movement breaks are an addition to--not a replacement for--structured physical education.

Are fitness breaks appropriate for all ages?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Most effective movements need no equipment, or just basic items such as scarves, balls, or even music.

Incorporating movements into your schoolday is an easy, evidence-based strategy with far-reaching advantages. From improving academic performance to improving physical fitness to improving the mental health of students and improving classroom behavior, the research is clear that movement is important. You can invest in the future of your children, whether you are a teacher or administrator, a parent or a politician.

Let's make movement a non-negotiable element of every student's educational experience. Why? Because when kids move they learn, improve, and thrive.