Help students get engaged with brain tips from Moving Minds!

Don't just sit there!

Recent research indicates that sitting for extended periods of time does significant damage to human health that cannot be reversed by exercising later. Sitting for more than 6 hours a day significantly (20-40%) increases your chances of dying from cancer or other major diseases. It’s time to STAND UP for good health.

-American Cancer Society

Chair-less classrooms!

A study by the Mayo Clinic links using stability balls as chairs to improvements in concentration as well as improved muscular strength and better posture.

Physical activity associates with academic success!

Fourteen published studies over the past 50 years have investigated the link between overall participation in physical activity and academic performance. 11 of those studies (nearly 80%!) found that regular participation in physical activity is associated with improved academic performance.

Test scores and fitness scores - a true correlation!

Multiple studies have found physical fitness scores to be significantly AND positively linked to academic performance among children and teens. Students who are active and perform better on fitness test also perform better on math and English-language arts test. The better the fitness score, the better the test score.

Performance of the mind and body are related!

Multiple studies have found physical fitness scores to be significantly AND positively linked to academic performance among children and teens. Students who are active and perform better on fitness test also perform better on math and English-language arts test. The better the fitness score, the better the test score.

We've known it all along!

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

-John F. Kennedy

Exercise is the single most powerful tool to optimize your brain function!

“Consistent exercise and certain types of specific exercises, can both temporarily and permanently affect the way your brain is able to focus, its ability to deal with stress and anxiety, and its ability to learn! … Exercise is like fertilizer for the brain … it’s so good, it’s like Miracle Gro®.”

-Dr. John Ratey, Harvard Brain Researcher

Classroom activity breaks are proven to work!

8 of 9 studies exploring physical activity that occurred in classrooms (separate from physical education and recess) reported positive associations between classroom-based physical activity and indicators of cognitive skills, attitudes, academics behavior, and academic achievement. NONE of the studies found a negative association.

Create more efficient classrooms!

In general, physically active lessons including physical activity breaks resulted in a 20.5% reduction in time spent on non-academic tasks, such as helping students transition to a new activity and classroom management.