Laurie Heyden School psychologist, Bristol-Warren Laurie Heyden is a school psychologist in the Bristol/Warren school district. For Mrs. Heyden, being part of a school community gives children a sense of belonging and prepares them to learn. Mrs. Heyden instituted the “Cool Moves” program at the Rockwell School in Bristol. Cool Moves is a school-wide two-minute exercise program led by Mrs. Heyden and a team of students at the beginning of each school day.

The student teams, with names like “Chillin’Out”, “On the Move”, “Circulation Superstars”, and “Shooting Stars”, develop the exercise routine and rotate responsibility for leading the exercise. The exercise routines include stretching, deep breathing, and energizing movements. The exercises end with a positive statement such as “We will learn a lot today!” or “Rockwell Rockets do their best!”.

“Cool Moves adds an element of fun to our school experience and strengthens the children’s feelings of belonging,” says Mrs. Heyden. Children experience a collective enthusiasm about learning. She also finds that students use the exercises on their own to manage stress and anxiety or to energize themselves at home or while doing class work or homework.

“Cool Moves adds an element of fun to our school experience and strengthens the children’s feelings of belonging.”

Programs like Cool Moves reflect the latest research in brain-based learning which supports exercise as a way to prepare students for tasks requiring concentration. The exercises help to relax the body, clear the mind, even the heart rate, and circulate oxygen. The exercises thereby improve the potential for concentration and learning. In addition, children with separation anxiety more easily transition away from their parents because they look forward to the exercises.

“Students use the exercises on their own to manage stress and anxiety or to energize themselves while donig classwork or homework.”