The Power of the Pause: Why Students, and Teachers, Need More Breaks
Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L
Did you know that schools in Finland have students go outside for 15 minutes after every 45-minute period of instruction. This happens every school day!!! The most recent academic data, 2022, reveals that the United States outperforms Finland in reading literacy, while Finland outperforms the U.S. in mathematics and science. I am not saying reading is more important than math or science. I feel more strongly about needing the break.
According to the statistics provided for US and Finland gathered through 2024, the United States had roughly 10.5% to 11.3% of school-aged children diagnosed with ADHD diagnosis. Finland, had roughly 8.5% of school-aged children diagnosed with ADHD. I have not seen any studies correlating 15-minute breaks after 45-minute periods of instruction to ADHD, but a 15-minute break seems like a good idea. Some employers even offer 15-minute breaks for coffee; bathroom use and even smoking and the employee often comes back ready to work and be productive. So, having children go outside, or just take break, for 15-minutes after a 45-minute period of instruction doesn’t seem like a bad idea for the children and the teacher. This may even decrease the number of interruptions of children requesting bathroom breaks. That time can be used for setting up the next lesson, calling in attendance and even checking in with students.
Taking a break is a basic human need. Going outdoors would be a bonus to get change the environment and some fresh air, but I know it can take 15 minutes to just get out the door.
The 2026- 2027 school year is just getting started so try giving students a 15-minute break after every 45-minute period of instruction. Let me know what happens.
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