Classroom Physical Activity

Overview

Classroom physical activity is any physical activity done in the classroom. It can take place at any time and occur in one or several brief periods during the school day. It includes integrating physical activity into academic instruction as well as providing breaks from instruction for physical activity.

Classroom physical activity can benefit students by:

• Improving their concentration and ability to stay on task in the classroom.
• Reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom.
• Improving their motivation and engagement in learning.
• Helping improve their academic performance (higher grades and test scores).
• Increasing their amount of daily physical activity.

Recommendations

Classroom physical activity strategies

• Strategies for Classroom Physical Activity in Schools—This document describes 10 evidence-based strategies to promote and plan classroom physical activity.
• Integrate Classroom Physical Activity in Schools: A Guide for Putting Strategies Into Practice —This guide provides key questions and activities. The guide also has templates that teachers and other champions can use to adopt, promote, enhance, or sustain the strategies identified in Strategies for Classroom Physical Activity in Schools.
• Online Platform: Integrate Classroom Physical Activity in Schools—This online platform offers ways to integrate the strategies identified in Strategies for Classroom Physical Activity in Schools. The platform includes:
  • Key questions and activities.
  • Templates and tools.
  • Stories from the field showing how the strategies are being used in different states.
  • Resources for each of the recommended strategies.

Resources

• Ideas for Parents: Classroom Physical Activity
• Integrate Classroom Physical Activity: Getting Students Active During School
• GoNoodle
• North Carolina's Energizers for Schools (Classroom-Based Physical Activities)
• Youth Compendium of Physical Activities for Classroom Teachers