Why are brain breaks and movement so important anyway? Research
shows that movement is directly tied to learning. According to Therapy Source
(see below), here are some evidence based reasons to get your students up and
moving!
- increases student interest, motivation (Vazou et al., 2012), and learning (Braniff, 2011).
- improves content knowledge, skills, and test scores in core subjects such as mathematics and reading fluency (Adams-Blair & Oliver, 2011; Erwin, Fedewa, & Ahn, 2013; Browning et al., 2014).
- may help children meet the recommendation to complete the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
A great way to get movement in and get students ready for
academic activities is to use Yoga! I love Yoga as a brain break, treatment
strategy, and indoor recess game. Please see below for a link to a great Apple
Themed Yoga and Movement Activity from Pink Oatmeal ( wonderful Therapy blog to follow if you are not already!)
These activities also work on functional strength, balance,
flexibility, motor planning, the vestibular system, the sensory system, and
team work if playing this in a group.
Remember to keep it fun! You could put the cards on a tree
in the classroom to have students “pick” their favorite pose to do with their
friends. (I had to get a little apple pun in there somewhere!)
Movement Matters- Whitney Carter PT, DPT
