How Movement Breaks Help Students with ADHD

The holistic growth of the student is becoming more important in today's rapidly changing educational environment. Test scores and academic rigor are important, but a growing body of research highlights a crucial aspect that is often ignored: movement breaks in schools. With sedentary classrooms and increased screen time become the norm, the need for purposeful, structured physical activity during the school day has never been more important. In this article we'll look at the reasons why exercise breaks should be a key element of every school's daily schedule, uncover the science of their benefits, and provide practical strategies for teachers and administrators.

What Are Movement Breaks in schools?

Movement breaks--also called brain breaks break, activity breaks or physical activity breaks -- are brief periods during the school day during which students are encouraged to engage in physical activities. The breaks may range from just a few minutes of dancing or stretching, to more formal games, exercises or mindfulness exercises that involve movements. Movement breaks, unlike physical education classes that follow an established curriculum, are often brief interruptions to the class's sedentary time. They can help students refocus their' minds and reenergize them.

Example of Movement Breaks

• In place running or jumping Jacks
• Yoga poses or stretching
• Quick dance routines
• Brain gym activities
• Games that require group participation.
• Guided breathing combined with light movement

Why movement breaks matter: The Science

1. Physical Health Benefits

One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate breaks into your routine is their positive effects on physical well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Children and adolescents should participate in at 60 minutes of exercise movement each day. Many students do not adhere to this advice due to the fact that they spend long hours in school.

Breaks in school for movement provide numerous health benefits:

• Increase cardiovascular fitness
• Increase flexibility and strength of muscles
• Help with weight loss
• Help combat childhood obesity

Regular exercise improves your immune system, and promotes healthy habits for life.

2. Benefits for the Brain and Education

Contrary to the widely held belief that a longer time at school results in better grades, research has shown that taking breaks to move during class can improve academic performance . Physical activity boosts circulation of blood to your brain. This delivers nutrients and oxygen that are essential to cognitive functioning.

The most important academic benefits are:

• Focus and attention are improved.
• Memory retention is enhanced
• Better problem-solving skills
• Higher engagement and participation
• A greater focus on the task

The results of studies have shown that students who get breaks for movement return to their work with greater focus and demonstrate better achievement scores than those who don't get such breaks.

3. Mental and Emotional Well-being

Mental health is a concern that concerns many students. Anxiety, stress and depression affect many students who are in school. The importance of regular exercise in regulating emotions and promoting mental health is widely known.

Benefits for the emotional side include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Self-esteem and improved mood
• Release of "feel good" endorphins
• Opportunity for social interaction and collaboration

Physical activity during school day provides an outlet for the accumulated tension, anger or anxiety, which can help to create a more positive school environment.

All students benefit from breaks in movement

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Movement breaks are particularly beneficial for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), difficulties with sensory processing, or with other disabilities. Physical exercise can help students regulate their energy levels, boost executive function, and better participate in academic tasks.

Create Inclusive Classrooms

Because they can be easily adapted, they can be tailored to fit the needs of different age groups, physical abilities, and learning styles. From simple stretches on the chair to interactive group activities break breaks are designed to guarantee every student has the opportunity to excel.

How to incorporate breaks for exercise into your daily routine

For Teachers

• Make a plan: Incorporate movement breaks every 30-60 minutes, particularly during lengthy instructional blocks.
• Keep it simple: Use routines that require minimal equipment or preparation--think running, jumping, or quick games.
• Fun: Integrate music, stories or other themes that keep your students interested.
• Involve students: Have students choose or lead their preferred exercise.

For Administrators

• Get support: Inform staff and their families of the benefits of taking movement breaks.
• Create guidelines: Encourage or mandate daily exercise breaks across the school.
• Professional development: Provide training and materials for teachers on how to lead activities with confidence.
• Monitor the progress: Collect feedback and monitor results to improve methods.

For Remote or Hybrid Learning

Movement breaks are just as essential during online learning. Teachers can lead live activities via video calls or give movement-related challenges to students to complete at home.

Addressing Common Concerns

"Won't the movement breaks in between lessons waste time?"

Research has shown that students who regularly move are more productive and focused in class. Breaks for movement are an investment in learning, not distracting.

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

The duration of movement breaks is usually 2-5 minutes. They can also be incorporated into interludes between subjects, or during time of intense focus. Even short activity has noticeable advantages.

What if the classroom space we have isn't enough?

Some activities can be performed standing next to desks or in a smaller space. Chair yoga, seated stretches or even basic hand and arm movements work well in small classrooms.

The Broader Impact: Movement Breaks and School Culture

Incorporating breaks for movement isn't just about individual benefits; it's about building an environment that promotes wellbeing, health and lifelong learning. Schools that emphasize movement tend to experience:

• Students who are healthier and have less absences
• Improved school spirit and community
• Teacher satisfaction and burnout rates lower
• Academic results that are stronger

Other wellness-related initiatives, like nutrition education, anti-bullying, social-emotional training, and social-emotional-learning can be aligned with the breaks in your exercise.

Tips to get started

1. Begin slow: Start with just one or two breaks per day.
2. Be consistent. Include movement in your routine.
3. Make it your own: Rotate activities to keep students interested and engaged.
4. Get feedback from students and teachers: Request input and suggestions.
5. Celebrate your success: Recognize classrooms that are enthusiastically participating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the recommended frequency for schools to implement breaks for movement?

Experts recommend that schools should take a 30 minute break for movement. But, the duration of breaks is adjustable according to each school's needs.

Can movement breaks replace PE classes?

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

Are fitness breaks appropriate for everyone?

Yes! Yes!

Do movement breaks require special equipment?

Not at all. Certain of the most efficient moves require little or no equipment, such as scarves and music or balls.

Incorporating the benefits of movement into each schoolday is a simple, evidence-based strategy with far-reaching advantages. The research shows that exercise is essential for a variety of reasons, including improving academic performance, physical health and classroom behavior. It is possible to make a difference in the lives of your children, whether you're a teacher or administrator or parent, or even a politician.

Let's make moving a mandatory element of every student's educational experience. Why? Because when kids move they learn, develop and flourish.