It’s no surprise to elementary school teachers and parents that children need breaks to get up and move around in order to maintain focus. According to research, movement increases blood and oxygen flow, which positively affects cognitive development, physical health and mental well-being.
Teachers recognize the relationship between movement and learning and have been using “brain breaks” for years. Students may not understand the brain-body connection — they just know they are having fun.
Our partners at Ascension Seton believe so much in the importance of movement that they have donated over $68,000 to the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation to purchase an online movement program called GoNoodle for every elementary classroom in the District. The program has been a big hit with students and teachers alike.
Now that our homes double as classrooms, the team at GoNoodle has created a free online resource GoNoodle: Good Energy at Home. It includes premium content and learning materials including movement and mindfulness videos as well as downloadable learning resources and ideas for off-screen activities. GoNoodle also plans to send new ideas, activities and tools weekly to those that sign up for email updates. There’s also a Good Energy channel on all GoNoodle home apps (iOS, Android, AppleTV, Fire, Roku) where GoNoodle videos can be accessed directly.
Whether it takes the form of a family dance party, a song and activity that reinforces something kids are learning at school, or a mindfulness or yoga video to help relieve stress, GoNoodle is helping to create “good energy” with our kids during this stressful time.
