Why Movement is Important for All Young Learners

If you teach elementary school students, you know that periodic brain breaks can keep your classroom running smoothly. Young students can only sustain their attention for so long, so taking short breaks to move around or do sensory activities can calm hyperactive students and re-energize students whose focus is drifting.  

Breaks tend to be most effective with young students when they are nonacademic, fun and involve physical activity. Movement is proven to have a positive impact on students’ academic achievement and behavior. Here are a few other reasons why getting your students moving is highly beneficial:  

• Physical activity is good for the brain. Research shows that physical movement can positively affect the brain’s physiology. It increases blood flow and oxygenation, growing nerve cells in the brain’s center of learning/memory, increasing brain tissue volume, and more.  
• Being active improves the attention span. Physical activity and exercise are associated with cognitive skills that are important for learning. Movement helps students increase their attention span and strengthen their thinking skills.  
• Movement improves retention. If you notice that your students seem to learn better after recess or Physical education class, you’re right. Exercise increases serotonin and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that accelerate information processing and improve memory.  
• Physical breaks and learning through movement minimize disruptive behaviors. Many young students struggle with things like sitting still, but especially those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Movement can help students get the “wiggles” out in a positive, non-disruptive way, so they are able to refocus and get back to learning.  
• Physical breaks increase productivity. You heard that right! Breaks restore students’ energy levels and reduce mental fatigue. Quick physical breaks help students get back to their tasks faster than students who are expected to work or listen for an extended period of time.  

What kinds of physical activity/active learning strategies work well in a classroom of younger learners? Aim for brief, simple and adaptable for a variety of students. Yoga is great for activating all parts of the body while encouraging students to practice mindfulness. “Simon Says” is a fun way to get students laughing and moving while maintaining control of the classroom. A game of freeze dance during transition periods is certain to bring smiles and boost the overall classroom mood. Feel free to get creative but remember that physical learning activities do not have to be elaborate to be effective.  

If you have students who need additional support outside the classroom, we would love to work with them. Refer their parents to Huntington. Our caring, experienced teachers help children of all ages develop good study habits and become better students. Through individualized instruction, Huntington tutors deploy proven methods to help students who are struggling with one or more subjects overcome those academic difficulties. That leads to improved confidence and school performance.  

Families can reach us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discover more about our customized tutoring and test prep programs.