• Physical Activity Breaks

  • Our bodies are made to move and it’s extremely important for our students to have physical activity breaks throughout the day. Movement instantly improves blood flow throughout the body, helping our brain and body to function better. Research shows that physical activity creates better learners, improved brain function, higher retention of material, and several other benefits for a student’s brain functioning.

    Physical activity not only improves our brain function, but also improves concentration, cuts down on off-task behaviors, and helps kids focus on learning following activity both in the classroom and inside of schools. Lastly, movement promotes better overall health and the many benefits that come with participating in physical activity throughout the day.

  • Evidence-based research done by Dr. Chuck Hillman (shown above), Dr. John Medina, Dr. John Ratey, and multiple others throughEvidence-based research done by Dr. Chuck Hillman (shown to the right), Dr. John Medina, Dr. John Ratey, and multiple others throughout the field have proven that physical activity before learning and assessment promotes various beneficial factors for the brain, a person's cognition, retention, attention, concentration, problem solving, and much more

     

    What does physical activity do for us?

    Why is it so important?

  • Academic Benefits:

    • Higher academic performance
    • Ability to concentrate 
    • Memory (higher retention)
    • Overall cognitive performance
    • Promotes the growth of new brain cells

    Behavioral Benefits:

    • Helps focus and stay on-task
    • Lessens off-task behaviors, such as disruptions from learning
    • Fewer disciplinary incident
    • More attentive
    • Improved mood

    Health Benefits:

    • Improves physical fitness and overall health
    • Improves the immune system and lessens the chance of getting sick
    • Reduces the risk of certain diseases 
    • Lessens stress & anxiety
    • Improves mental/emotional health

    Learning Environment Benefits:

    • Supports and improves learning environment for all students
    • Physical activity is a natural medication to help relieve stress and anxiety
    • Physical activity breaks have been shown to effectively help students with ADHD
    • Physical activity breaks have been shown to effectively help students with autism
    • Physical activity breaks have been proven to improve our moods and mental health immediately following activity