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16 Jan 2026
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16 Jan 2026
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Children need short burst of activity through the day
Schools are being encouraged to get involved in a four-week initiative to encourage bursts of physical activity throughout the school day and Leitrim councillor James Gilmartin told the Leitrim Observer that's it's an effective way for children to get exercise through the day. "I think it's a great idea and encourages activity. As I used to say when I was in the classroom, if you take the students out for a walk and take away the walls, they stop climbing them. They need short bursts of activity and to get out and get some fresh air."
Schools can sign up to the 'Active Break Every Day' programme which begins on 19 January and supports teachers to build short movement breaks into daily class routines.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Health, and the GAA.
He continued: "I remember from Covid, there used to be mass breaks where you could go out for a short walk around the building just to get out of the classroom and it was very beneficial because it got them out into fresh air for some movement and oxygen and got the brain cells going. It keeps them active and it's really important to create good habits."
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Cllr Gilmartin recalled another initiative developed by the government called 'Drop Everything and Read' (D.E.A.R.); a literacy initiative "where everyone stops all other activities to read for a set time. Every now and then during the week, a school bell would go and every class would take out a book. I thought that was another great addition so it's something along the same lines but this is more about activity. It has huge potential to encourage good habits and everyone feels better and gets a break from the classroom."
Participating schools will be given short, classroom-based movement break videos in English and Irish each week.
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