Movement Breaks by Dan Edelman
Movement Breaks by Dan Edelman
In our prior installments we discussed the link between exercise and academic performance and introduced brainderived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ), noting the protein ’ s importance to brain health . We also offered some schoolbased suggestions for stimulating BDNF production through exercise . Here we take a closer look at one of those suggestions , which is increasingly popular among teachers : movement breaks .
Movement breaks are pauses in desk-based lesson time to let kids work off the fidgets , wiggles , and other disruptive energy . Sometimes called brain breaks , these short interludes also refresh focus and replenish productive energy so students can return to lessons and other academic tasks with renewed vigor .
Humans are wired to move ; a lot of research demonstrates the value of movement to human well-being , including stimulating breathing , blood flow , spinal health , and neural activity that positively affects mood and stress levels . When these dimensions of well-being are compromised , children ’ s ability to learn is compromised . Further , our brains can only take in so much information at a time before we begin to feel overwhelmed , essentially shutting down learning . A strategically placed movement break away from academic thinking allows the brain ’ s hippocampus time to do its job of processing information and forming memories . This enables kids to absorb and retain lessons , making this rest-andrecovery period every bit as important to student academics as actual schoolwork .
Working within the various constraints of their classrooms , teachers can schedule movement breaks throughout the day . Remember that any time spent moving is better than no movement at all , so even a super-short movement break is beneficial . These breaks can be structured in a way to focus on fundamental movement skills missing with the diminishment of PE , or they can be more loosely scaffolded to encourage the kind of play and creativity that used to run free during recess .
The point is to escape the desk-bound rigors of academic work and tap into the benefits of movement for student wellbeing . A classroom is a place where numeracy and literacy flourish . The Brand X Method™ also sees it as fertile ground for physical literacy , and we ’ re collaborating with Stand Up Kids to provide a catalog of movement break ideas for teachers : http :// standupkids . org / movement-break /.
References : Fiore N . The benefits of movement in school . The Creativity Post . August 8 , 2014 . Available at http :// www . creativitypost . com / education / the _ benefits _ of _ movement _ in _ schools . Jensen E . Moving with the brain in mind . Educational Leadership 58 ( 3 ): 34-37 , November 2000 . Jensen E . Chapter 4 : Movement and learning . Available at http :// www . ascd . org / publications / books / 104013 / chapters / Movement-and-Learning . aspx . NASPE . Integrating physical activity into the complete school day . Available at https :// www . casrc-chkrcetrainings . org / newlook / trainings / FEB / IntegratingPA _ SchoolDay . pdf . Pellegrini AD and Bohn CM . The role of recess in children ’ s cognitive performance and school adjustment . Educational Researcher 34 ( 1 ): 13-19 , January-February , 2005 . Ramstetter CL , Murray R , and Garner AS . The crucial role of recess in schools . Journal of School Health 80 ( 11 ): 517-526 , November 2010 . Quinn M . Moving through the curriculum . Classroom Leadership 4 ( 6 ), March 2001 . Available at http :// www . ascd . org / publications / classroom-leadership / mar2001 / Moving-Through-the- Curriculum . aspx . Shlaes L . Advice from the OT : Why it ’ s so hard for children to sit still and what you can do about it . Minds in Bloom . April 3 , 2012 . Available at http :// minds-in-bloom . com / advice-from-ot-if-youwant-children-to /. Wells SL . Moving through the curriculum : The effect of movement on student learning , behavior , and attitude . A Rising TIDE 5 : 1-17 , Summer 2012 .
The Brand X Method is a comprehensive , next-generation fitness framework designed to deliver physical literacy over the life course , preventing injuries , improving sports performance , and keeping you active and engaged for a lifetime . The Brand X Method is not a static model . It is a living strength-andconditioning framework intended to evolve philosophically and methodologically to always deliver state-of-the-art training .
www . thebrandxmethod . com
Parent Teacher Magazine • January / February 2017 • 6