Movement Breaks

Overview

Brain breaks that include movement allow learners to refresh their thinking and focus on learning new information. Movement breaks provide the opportunity for learners to be physically active and release their excess energy, supporting their Sensory Integration needs and Physical Well-being.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this elementary teacher incorporates spelling into a movement break. When students move and stretch, they increase their blood flow, which stimulates brain function.

Teachers can encourage movement through chants, poems, and greeting activities. These activities can be used to energize students after lunch or to have them feel relaxed before a test. They can also take place during class transitions and at the beginning or end of the day.

Design It into Your Product

Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.

GoNoodle provides energetic brain break videos that can be used in the classroom. By engaging learners in quick, fun movement breaks, GoNoodle activates learners' bodies and brains so they are ready to concentrate and learn.

Developers can create products that encourage movement and physical activity. Through videos, music, and activities, they can also embed prompts that encourage learners to take a break and move.

View References

Resources

Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

Brain Breaks and Energizers

Tips for inclusive and engaging movement breaks

Get Students Moving

Ideas for integrating movement

Movement Break Curriculum

Videos of activities for movement breaks

Self-Regulation

Subtopic that explores children's developing ability to regulate their behavior on Digital Promise's Research Map

Sensory-Motor Breaks

Guide that includes break activities to engage the senses

Teacher Toolbox

List of physical activities for breaks