Description
Efficient learning of difficult new skills requires attention and focus. Short movement breaks between activities in therapy sessions, during home practice exercises, and in class can help preschoolers and students to learn by allowing the child to release excess energy and refocus their attention.
Engaging in physical activities can also help some children better regulate their emotions and behavior, making them more receptive to therapy and teaching. For some children – including some children with ADHD – movement breaks can be particularly beneficial in helping them to re-focus and pay attention to important new material and while learning new skills.
In this simple but useful resource, we provide 16 short video models (via looped GIFs) of simple, age-appropriate movement break activities. Children can choose an exercise from the pack, or imitate a task assigned by an adult. This resource can be used one-to-one, with small groups, and whole classes. Because it uses models, it has a low language load, and is suitable for many students with ASD, DLD, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences as well as children learning English as an additional language.
We use this resource in our busy clinic to keep sessions active, fun and engaging – especially for students who find it difficult to sit at a desk or to attend to others for long periods of time.
Be sensible. As with all therapy, students should be supervised by an adult at all times. Prior medical clearance should be sought for children with known medical and physical challenges, illnesses, or disabilities that may affect their ability to do the exercises safely.
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