Move More, Be Ready to Learn: Why Daily Movement Matters this School Year

Back-to-School is More than School Supplies 

August is a busy time for families. Between shopping for school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing for a new school year, there's a lot to think about before the first day of class.

But back-to-school season isn’t just about backpacks and notebooks. It’s also the perfect time to build healthy routines that help children succeed all year long.

One of the most important school supplies isn't found in a backpack—it’s daily movement.

At Pennington Biomedical Research Center, scientists have spent years studying how healthy behaviors like physical activity influence children’s growth, development, and lifelong health. Their research, along with evidence from around the world, shows that regular movement does much more than strengthen muscles and bones. It helps children develop the physical, emotional, and cognitive skills that prepare them to learn.

Whether it’s walking the dog before school, playing tag at recess, riding bikes around the block after dinner, or taking a stretch break between homework assignments, every opportunity to move helps.

The Science Behind Movement and Learning

Childhood is one of the most important periods for brain development, making regular physical activity especially valuable.

Research consistently shows that children who are physically active often demonstrate stronger attention, self-regulation, working memory, and executive functioning than their less-active peers. These skills help children focus during class, follow directions, solve problems, and manage distractions throughout the school day.

Executive function is often described as the brain’s “management system.” It includes planning, organization, impulse control, flexible thinking, and remembering information while completing tasks. These skills don't guarantee better grades, but they do help create the conditions that make learning possible.

Scientists are still working to understand exactly how movement supports the developing brain. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, stimulates the release of chemicals that support brain health, and gives children opportunities to practice coordination, self-control, and problem-solving through play.

Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center recently found that preschool-aged children with stronger motor skills and higher levels of physical activity also demonstrated stronger executive functioning. While this study cannot show that movement causes these improvements, it reinforces the growing evidence that movement, motor development, and healthy brain development are closely connected.¹

The benefits extend beyond learning. Children who are physically active often experience improved mood, greater confidence, reduced stress, and better overall emotional well-being. Regular movement also supports healthy growth and development, strengthens the heart and muscles, improves fitness, and helps reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Healthy habits established early in life often continue into adulthood.

The key takeaway is simple: movement helps children develop many of the physical, emotional, and cognitive skills that prepare them to learn and thrive.

What this Means for Families

Children don’t need an intense sports schedule to benefit from movement. Small opportunities throughout the day can make a meaningful difference.

A walk before school can help children wake up and prepare for the day. Playing outside after school provides time to recharge before homework. Riding bikes, dancing in the living room, walking the dog, or playing a game of tag all count toward healthy movement.

It’s also important to break up long periods of sitting. Short activity breaks between homework assignments can help children return to their work feeling refreshed and ready to focus.

When it comes to screen time, balance matters. Research led by Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Amanda Staiano has shown that active video games (exergaming) can increase physical activity while engaging children in fun, interactive movement.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s finding enjoyable ways to help children move more every day.

What this Means for Schools

Schools are uniquely positioned to help children build healthy movement habits, and supporting movement doesn't mean sacrificing instruction. Classroom movement breaks and active learning strategies may help students return to lessons more focused and engaged.

Teachers can incorporate stretching, classroom brain breaks, movement-based review games, partner walks, or active learning stations throughout the day.

Schools also play an important role in creating environments where healthy choices become the easy choices, for both students and staff.

What this Means for Healthcare Providers

Back-to-school visits are an excellent opportunity to discuss physical activity as part of overall child health.

Providers can help families understand that movement supports much more than physical fitness. It contributes to healthy development, emotional well-being, sleep, self-regulation, and many of the skills children rely on every day in school.

Using motivational interviewing can help families identify realistic ways to incorporate more movement into their daily routines while building confidence for lasting behavior change.

Help Kids Start the School Year Strong

Helping children move more is a shared effort, and everyone has a role to play.

Whether you’re a parent, guardian, educator, healthcare provider, or community leader, small actions can have a lasting impact. Encourage active play indoors and outdoors to help children build healthier habits now. Every step, every stretch, and every active moment adds up.

This school year, let’s work together to help children move more, learn better, feel better, and Greaux Healthy.

Continue the Conversation

Looking for more ways to support children’s health?

Explore Greaux Healthy’s free resources for families, educators, and healthcare providers, and discover practical, evidence-based strategies that make healthy choices easier every day.

Interested in learning from leading experts in childhood obesity prevention and treatment?

Join us at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference: Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy on September 24, 2026, in Baton Rouge. Connect with healthcare providers, educators, researchers, and community leaders as we explore the latest science, practical tools, and innovative approaches to improving child health across Louisiana.

Click here to register today!