Integrating Brain Breaks and Multiple Intelligences to Support Health Literacy and Learning Outcomes

Authors

  • Laura Bruno The College of New Jersey
  • Anne Farrell The College of New Jersey

Keywords:

Brain breaks, Multiple Intelligences, teaching strategies, school health education, Health Literacy

Abstract

Purpose: This article examines the value of brain breaks and how integrating Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences can enhance student learning and engagement at all grade levels. Brain breaks, or micro-breaks, have been shown to boost focus, retention, and cognitive performance. Gardner’s theory, which suggests individuals possess different types of intelligence, supports a personalized learning approach. By aligning brain breaks with strategies that target diverse intelligences, health educators can create more dynamic, inclusive, and effective classrooms. The article offers practical strategies for incorporating Multiple Intelligences into brain break activities. Conclusion: Through a detailed examination of the connections between brain breaks and Multiple Intelligences, health education teachers will be able to better meet the diverse needs of student learners and may positively impact learning outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., & Tudor-Tulbure, B. (2022). “Give me a break!” A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PLOS ONE, 17(8), e027246. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.027246

Amicone, G., Petruccelli, I., De Dominicis, S., Gherardini, A., Costantino, V., Perucchini, P., & Bonaiuto, M. (2018). Green breaks: The restorative effect of the school environment’s green areas on children’s cognitive performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1579. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01579

Austin, K. (2016). Culminating projects in teacher development (Publication No. 23) [Master’s thesis, St. Cloud State University]. St. Cloud State University Repository. https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=ed_etds

Beachboard, C. (2020). Brain-based learning: Help students build intrinsic motivation. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/help-students-build-intrinsic-motivation/

Buch, R., Claudino, L., Quentin, R., Bönstrup, M., & Cohen, L. G. (2021). Consolidation of human skill linked to waking hippocampo-neocortical replay. Cell Reports, 35(10), 109193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109193

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, November 21). Healthy schools. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-schools/about/index.html

Cline, A., Knox, G., De Martin Silva, L., & Draper, S. (2021). A process evaluation of a UK classroom-based physical activity intervention—“Busy Brain Breaks.” Children, 8(2), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8020063

Edutopia. (2023, March 23). The mysterious power of brain breaks [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmU3VGfh150

Egger, F., Benzing, V., Conzelmann, A., & Schmidt, M. (2019). Boost your brain while having a break! The effects of long-term cognitively engaging physical activity breaks on children’s executive functions and academic achievement. PLOS ONE, 14(3), e0212482. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212482

Gardner, H. (n.d.). Howard Gardner’s official authoritative site for multiple intelligences. https://www.multipleintelligencesoasis.org/

Guo, L., Li, J., Xu, Z., Hu, X., Liu, C., Xing, X., Li, X., White, H., & Yang, K. (2024). The relationship between homework time and academic performance among K–12: A systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1431

Koepp, E., Gershoff, E., Castelli, D., & Bryan, A. (2022). Preschoolers’ executive functions following indoor and outdoor free play. Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 28, 100182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2022.100182

LSA Learning & Teaching Technology Consultants. (2021, December 2). Using physical movement to increase student engagement and learning. University of Michigan LSA Technology Services. https://lsa.umich.edu/technology-services/news-events/all-news/teaching-tip-of-the-week/using-physical-movement-to-increase-student-engagement-and-learning.html

Martin, F., & Bolliger, D. U. (2018). Engagement matters: Student perceptions on the importance of engagement strategies in the online learning environment. Online Learning, 22(1), 205–222. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v22i1.1092

Mazzoli, E., Salmon, J., Teo, W.-P., Pesce, C., He, J., Ben-Soussan, T. D., & Barnett, L. M. (2021). Breaking up classroom sitting time with cognitively engaging physical activity: Behavioural and brain responses. PLOS ONE, 16(7), e0253733. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253733

Meyer, K. A. (2014). Student engagement in online learning: What works and why. ASHE Higher Education Report, 40(6), 1–114. https://doi.org/10.1002/aehe.20018

Morin, A. (2022). Brain breaks: An evidence-based behavior strategy. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/articles/brain-breaks-evidence-based-behavior-strategy

Peiris, D. L. I. H. K., Duan, Y., Vandelanotte, C., Liang, W., Yang, M., & Baker, J. S. (2022). Effects of in-classroom physical activity breaks on children’s academic performance, cognition, health behaviours and health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9479. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159479

Reyes-Amigo, T., Salinas-Gallardo, G., Mendoza, E., Ovalle-Fernández, C., Ibarra-Mora, J., Gómez-Álvarez, N., Carrasco-Beltrán, H., Páez-Herrera, J., Hurtado-Almonácid, J., Yañez-Sepúlveda, R., Zapata-Lamana, R., Sepúlveda-Figueroa, F., Olivares-Arancibia, J., & Mota, J. (2025). Effectiveness of school-based active breaks on classroom behavior, executive functions and physical fitness in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1469998

Schaeffer, T. H. (2022). The effect of brain breaks on student outcomes of school-aged children in K–12 classrooms: A meta-analysis (Publication No. 615) [Master’s thesis, Cal Poly Humboldt]. Digital Commons @ Humboldt State University. https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/615

Setyawan, J., Lumbantoruan, J. H., Listiani, H., & Loso, J. (2024). Integration of multiple intelligence theory in curriculum implementation in Indonesia. Mimbar Sekolah Dasar, 11(1), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.53400/mimbar-sd.v11i1.68906

Sievertsen, H. H., Gino, F., & Piovesan, M. (2016). Cognitive fatigue influences students’ performance on standardized tests. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(10), 2621–2624. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1516947113

Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). (2024a). Health literacy. https://www.shapeamerica.org/publications/products/health-literacy.aspx

Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). (2024b). Appropriate practices in school-based health education [Guidance document]. https://issuu.com/shapeamerica/docs/appropriate_practices_in_school_based_health_educa

Terada, Y. (2022, April 21). We drastically underestimate the importance of brain breaks. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/we-drastically-underestimate-importance-brain-breaks

The mysterious power of brain breaks. (n.d.). Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks

The science behind brain breaks. (2020, May 15). Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/video/science-behind-brain-breaks

Vamos, S. D., & McDermott, R. J. (2021). Rebranding school health: The power of education for health literacy. Journal of School Health, 91(8), 670–676. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13056

Willis, J. (2016, December 7). Using brain breaks to restore students’ focus. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/brain-breaks-restore-student-focus-judy-willis

Downloads

Published

2026-04-08

How to Cite

Bruno, L., & Farrell, A. (2026). Integrating Brain Breaks and Multiple Intelligences to Support Health Literacy and Learning Outcomes. Journal of Health and Physical Literacy, 5(1), 124–139. Retrieved from https://johpl.org/index.php/johpl/article/view/99

Issue

Section

Scholarly Clinical or Pedagogical Article