We all know that being active is good for our bodies: from bones to brain!
But did you know that short activity breaks can also help students concentrate and improve their behavior?! That’s good news for everyone.
Physical activity turns on the brain, from Moving Matters
In one University of Illinois study, physical activity was shown to improve academic performance. The study with 9 and 10 year olds demonstrated the effects of 20 minutes of walking on students prior to taking a test then compared results to another group of children who simply sat for 20 minutes before the test. The walking group outperformed the sitting group by responding faster to questions and making fewer errors.
Physical activity promotes, rather than detracts from learning In a review of 50 studies on the association of physical activity and student learning, the CDC dispelled the notion that providing adequate physical activity has to be made ‘at the expense of academics.’ Rather, the CDC’s recommendation to school administrators and teachers is that physical education, recess, classroom-based physical activity, and extracurricular physical activities support rather than detract from student learning. As a new CDC campaign puts it: “The More They Burn, the Better They Learn.”
How can you use this information to better your students’ concentration at school? You can incorporate physical activities into your day. Short activity breaks and incorporating activity into your assignments is a great way to help students keep their brains active, too.
Want more information?
Moving Matters Implementation Toolkit
Books that promote bicycling and walking
