Incorporating breaks throughout the school day is super important, especially during COVID-19 as most of the students are starting out with virtual learning. Sitting at a computer for long periods of time can be very tiresome and stressful.
Here are some benefits from taking short learning breaks:
- Increases productivity
- Increases attention
- Boosts brain function
- Decreases stress and anxiety
- Improves self-regulation
- Improves staying motivated
The key is taking breaks before fatigue, distraction or lack of focus sets in. This is typically after 10-15 minutes of work for grade-schoolers and after 20-30 minutes for middle- and high-schoolers. Breaks can be anywhere from 2-10 minutes, depending on what your child needs.
Brain breaks can be active, but also can be relaxing and quiet. Here are a few options to help your child during the school day, especially if there are no guided breaks from teachers.
Here are some examples of movement activities:
- Create a “Brain Break Jar” filled with quick activities you can pull out for a wiggle break (ex. 20 jumping jacks, 15 wall push-ups, running in place for 20 seconds, collect 5 red items from around the house)
- Yoga poses (butterfly, cat, cow, downward dog, cobra, child, etc.)
- Animal walks (bear, frog, stand like a flamingo, alligator chomps, elephants stomps, horse gallops, etc.)
- Snow angels on the floor
- Rocket ship jumps (bend down, touch toes, count down from 5 or 10, then jump up on “blast off.”
- Dance to a favorite song
- Go Noodle
- Cosmic Kids Yoga
Here are some examples of calming and relaxing activities:
- Deep breathing
- Stretching
- Take a doodle break
- Take a break doing nothing, while lying on the couch or somewhere comfy
- Listen to calming music
By: Stacy Dettmann, COTA/L