08 OCTOBER 2026
In our classrooms, we incorporate movement as a strategy to support and regulate our pupils. Movement breaks are a powerful tool to help young people improve focus, ease restlessness, and enhance learning outcomes. In this article, Deborah Horrocks, an Occupational Therapist from our Group, shares practical strategies for professionals to seamlessly incorporate movement breaks into the classroom routine.
What you'll learn
✔️ The benefits of movement breaks and how they can improve focus, behaviour, wellbeing, participation and learning outcomes
✔️ Practical strategies to integrate movement into the school day, including movement-based learning activities, classroom routines and pupil-led opportunities
✔️ How to create movement-friendly, inclusive classrooms that support regulation, engagement and the diverse needs of all learners
What are movement breaks?
Movement breaks are short "time out" periods where children and young people engage in a form of physical activity, helping them release excess energy and regain focus in school. Integrating movement into the school day can lead to improved concentration, positive behaviour, and improved performance in the classroom.
What are the benefits of movement breaks in school?
Movement breaks are especially beneficial in a whole-class approach, providing numerous advantages for your pupils, including:
Enhanced focus
Physical activity is known to increase blood flow to the brain, which enables you to concentrate better on the activity or task.
An overall improvement behaviour
Integrating regular movement breaks helps to ease restlessness and minimise disruptive behaviours, creating a better environment for all learners.
Atmosphere and wellbeing
Physical activity releases endorphins that boost mood, reduce stress, and help pupils feel ready to engage in learning.
Participation and engagement
Movement breaks can make the classroom experience more engaging and enjoyable, promoting pupil participation.
Physical and mental health benefits
Regular breaks throughout the day will support pupils' overall physical and mental wellbeing, including strength and resilience.
Top tips for encouraging and supporting movement breaks
Are you unsure where to start? Here's our five top tips for integrating movement into learning, when and where to do them, and how to build movement-friendly environments:
Take regular breaks
Incorporating planned movement breaks at regular intervals throughout the school day can support sustained attention, engagement, and self-regulation. For example, providing a brief five-minute movement opportunity between learning activities can help pupils maintain focus, manage energy levels, and return to tasks ready to learn.
Use engaging activities
Movement activities should be purposeful, engaging, and accessible to all pupils. Simple strategies such as stretching, brief aerobic exercises, or short movement-based activities can provide valuable opportunities for physical regulation while maintaining engagement. Rotating activities regularly can help sustain interest and ensure movement breaks remain effective throughout the school day.
Integrate movement into learning
Integrating movement into learning activities can enhance both engagement and participation. For example, interactive games can be used to reinforce key concepts, while physical tasks linked to problem-solving activities can support learning through active participation. This approach enables pupils to benefit from movement while remaining focused on curriculum objectives.
Encourage participation
Allow pupils to take an active role in leading movement breaks. Rotate leadership roles so that different pupils can choose activities or lead the class in exercises. This not only promotes physical activity but also encourages a sense responsibility and independence.
"Movement is not a break from learning."
Movement-friendly environments
Creating flexible learning environments can support pupils’ sensory and regulation needs while promoting engagement in learning. Providing sufficient space for movement and offering alternative seating options, such as wobble cushions, rocking chairs, or standing desks, can enable pupils to access movement in a purposeful and unobtrusive way throughout the school day.
Implementing a whole-class approach
A whole-class approach to movement breaks ensures that all young people benefit from the integration of physical activity in the classroom. Here are some additional strategies for implementing this approach:
Using trusted resources
Specialist staff and external professionals can support the effective implementation of movement-based strategies by providing evidence-informed recommendations and guidance. This collaborative approach helps ensure that movement opportunities are appropriately tailored to pupils’ needs and integrated seamlessly into everyday classroom practice.
Monitor and adjust
Movement-based strategies should be reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the pupil. Ongoing evaluation allows staff to identify what is working well and make adjustments to the duration, frequency, or type of activity where necessary, ensuring that movement opportunities remain effective and responsive to individual needs.
Promote inclusivity
Movement opportunities should be inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of all pupils. Providing a range of activities and participation options enables every learner to engage in a way that is comfortable, meaningful, and appropriate to their individual abilities and preferences.
The benefits of movement breaks
Helping pupils understand the benefits of movement can encourage greater engagement and participation in movement-based activities. By developing awareness of how movement supports concentration, emotional regulation, wellbeing, and learning, pupils are more likely to recognise its value and use these opportunities effectively throughout the school day.
Celebrate success
Recognise and celebrate the positive outcomes of movement breaks, such as improved behaviour or academic achievements. Acknowledging success reinforces the value of movement breaks and encourages continued participation.
