Energizing Teachers and Students with Brain Breaks 

Written By Jessica Dudley

Featuring Resources from Dr. Bre Davis' Get Kids Moving Program

As a former public school teacher, I know just how long the day can feel, especially when everyone is working hard. By mid-morning, it’s not unusual to see students getting restless, cranky, or just plain tired. Let’s be real—teachers can sometimes feel that way too! I found that something as simple as a quick movement break, like 30 seconds of jumping jacks between math and reading, followed by a brief mindfulness moment (like box breathing), can make all the difference. It was always amazing to see how much more focused and energized both the kids and I felt after just a few minutes. We’d dive back into the next lesson with more energy.

As the new school year begins, it’s important to remember that both teachers and students need moments to recharge during the busy school day. With long hours of sitting, studying, and teaching, taking regular brain breaks can have a significant impact on everyone’s focus, energy, and overall well-being.

We’re excited to share some practical brain break ideas for teachers in this article. There are simple, quick brain breaks —perfect for those days when you need a fast morale boost without taking too much time away from lessons. We have also included longer options too, for when the days feel a little tougher and your class needs extra time to recharge and reset.

Why Brain Breaks Are Important for Teachers and Students

Neuroscientific and educational research shows that cognitive resources are depleted within 10–25 minutes of intense effort, making breaks essential to reset focus and boost performance (Willis, n.d.)

Here’s how brain breaks can benefit both groups:

  • For Students: Reduces restlessness, improves focus, and increases productivity.

  • For Teachers: Reduces stress, increases mental clarity, and promotes positive classroom atmosphere.

Spotlight on Bre Davis: Get Kids Moving Program

One of the most valuable resources for brain breaks is from Dr. Bre Davis and her Get Kids Moving Program. Bre is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy specializing in pediatrics, focusing on how movement can positively impact children's lives holistically. She is dedicated to helping students and teachers incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. Her program promotes movement as a way to stay healthy, focused, and engaged, both in and out of the classroom.

Brain Break Ideas from Dr. Bre:

  1. Quick Movement Breaks: Simple exercises like 30s of jumping jacks, squats, or high knees in between classroom transitions only take a few seconds and provide an excellent burst of energy.

  2. Mindful Breathing: Take a moment for deep breathing. Box breathing technique (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4) can calm nerves and refocus the mind.

  3. Seated Brain Breaks: Work through 30s of one or more of the following while seated: running/marching, sky to floor, soccer ball kicks, punches, side touches/bends, presses

  4. Group Walks or Stretch Circles: On the heavy work load days, take a quick walk around the school or set up a stretch circle in the classroom.

  5. Classroom Workouts: Fit in a quick, low-space, low-equipment workout right in your classroom! For more ready-to-use workouts and ideas, visit www.getkidsmovingprogram.com or follow @getkidsmovingprogram on Instagram.

    Example: try a 2–5 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of:

5 water bottle presses

5 plank water bottle pull-throughs

20 line hops

More Research-Backed Benefits of Brain Breaks

  • Cognitive Performance & Attention
     A study of undergraduate students found that incorporating micro-breaks during class significantly improved quiz performance, compared to traditional longer breaks—highlighting how short pauses help sustain attention and performance (Sharpe & Tyndall 2025)

  • Physical Activity & Executive Function
     Elementary students engaging in physically active lessons and active breaks showed improvements in inhibitory control, short-term memory, and spatial orientation—key executive functions crucial for learning success. (Donnelly, Hillman, Castelli, , Etnier, Lee, Tomporowsk & Szabo-Reed 2016)

  • Attention in Younger Students
     Physical activity breaks with a cognitive component improved primary school children’s attention more effectively than activity alone—underscoring that movement combined with mental engagement has the strongest benefits (Schmidt, M., Benzing, V., & Kamer, M. 2016)

  • Academic & Socioemotional Gains
     A case study of sixth graders in a Title I school revealed that brain breaks led to a 9% increase in academic performance and significantly improved socioemotional well-being—97% of students reported brain breaks as beneficial (Dirks, 2023)

Final Thoughts: Energizing the Classroom and Beyond

Brain breaks are not just about getting a break from work—they’re about recharging, refocusing, and coming back to the task with more energy. Whether you’re a teacher needing a quick reset or a student ready to dive back into learning, taking time for physical movement and mental relaxation can make a huge difference.

By incorporating ideas from Dr. Bre Davis' Get Kids Moving Program, both teachers and students can stay energized, healthy, and engaged all year long. This school year, be sure to take those well-deserved breaks to move, stretch, and breathe—because a refreshed teacher and student are always more productive!

Teachers, click on the resources below to get even more helpful tools that will both support you and your students:

References:

Jessica Dudley https://www.organizaciondeamigos.com
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Your Kids Are Watching: How Your Attitude Shapes Theirs