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Break for Physical Activity: Incorporating Classroom-Based Physical Activity Breaks into Preschools

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Physical Activity and Health Promotion in the Early Years

Part of the book series: Educating the Young Child ((EDYC,volume 14))

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Abstract

An effective strategy to increase daily physical activity in early childhood settings is the incorporation of structured physical activity breaks. A typical break consists of approximately 10 min of activities designed to increase participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and gross motor skills. In this chapter we will review previous literature on the effects of implementing physical activity breaks on daily physical activity, motor skill development and a child’s ability to stay on task during academic learning time. We will also explore how to effectively implement physical activity breaks within early childhood settings from an administrator and teacher perspective.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

    Danielle D. Wadsworth

  2. School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    E. Kipling Webster

Authors
  1. Danielle D. Wadsworth
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  2. E. Kipling Webster
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Correspondence to Danielle D. Wadsworth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical and Health Education, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA

    Hannah Brewer

  2. Journal and Book Series Editor Springer, Emerita, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA

    Mary Renck Jalongo

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Wadsworth, D.D., Kipling Webster, E. (2018). Break for Physical Activity: Incorporating Classroom-Based Physical Activity Breaks into Preschools. In: Brewer, H., Renck Jalongo, M. (eds) Physical Activity and Health Promotion in the Early Years. Educating the Young Child, vol 14. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76006-3_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76006-3_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-76004-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-76006-3

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