Practices
BRAIN BREAK ACTIVITIES
Brain Breaks have become an integral way of helping students to transition from one type of learning activity to another. It might be easy to dismiss Brain Breaks as being non-essential to classroom learning and student progress, but there is now a wealth of research that informs us that Brain Breaks make a difference for students academically, behaviourally and emotionally. There are numerous ways of facilitating Brain Breaks. They can be active or quiet and reflective. This session will describe how you can use Brain Breaks with the students in your care both in the classroom or daycare and, if necessary, online.
Brain Breaks Webinar
Brain Breaks - Presentation Handout
BRAIN BREAKS
Tier 1 Universal interventions
DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS:
MOVEMENT STATION
Tier 2 Targeted interventions
DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS:
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Movement Break Posters (copyright - from Teachers Pay Teachers)
The Mysterious Power of Brain Breaks
Edutopia
During breaks, it turns out, the brain works overtime. New research illuminates what kinds of breaks benefit learners the most.
The Science Behind Brain Breaks
Edutopia
Research shows that periodic breaks throughout the day don’t just provide valuable downtime—they also boost productivity while giving students opportunities to develop their creativity and social skills.
Research-Tested Benefits of Breaks
By Youki Terada - Edutopia
Students are easily distracted, but regular, short breaks can help them focus, increase their productivity, and reduce their stress. Regular breaks throughout the school day—from short brain breaks in the classroom to the longer break of recess—are not simply downtime for students. Such breaks increase their productivity and provide them with opportunities to develop creativity and social skills.
Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain
By Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers - Edutopia
Incorporating exercise and movement throughout the school day makes students less fidgety and more focused on learning. Incorporating exercise and movement throughout the school day makes students less fidgety and more focused on learning. Improving on-task behavior and reducing classroom management challenges are among the most obvious benefits of adding physical activities to your teaching toolkit. As research continues to explore how exercise facilitates the brain's readiness and ability to learn and retain information, we recommend several strategies to use with students and to boost teachers’ body and brain health.
More Than a Dozen Ways to Build Movement Into Learning
By Stephen Merrill, Sarah Gonser - Edutopia
Physical activity that amplifies learning can have a powerful effect on retention and engagement—it’s also fun. Even small amounts of movement, research has revealed, can deliver a positive impact on learning. Infusing classrooms with physical activity—or at least the option of some movement, at student discretion—isn’t just good for kids’ bodies, it’s also a powerful tool for improving learning and focus and reducing classroom management issues.
