{"id":1971,"date":"2022-03-10T06:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/?p=1971"},"modified":"2023-04-21T09:03:19","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T13:03:19","slug":"brain-breaks-helping-students-reset-refresh-and-get-moving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/brain-breaks-helping-students-reset-refresh-and-get-moving.html","title":{"rendered":"Brain Breaks to Help Students Reset, Refresh, and Get Moving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Brain-Breaks-to-Help-Students-Reset-Refresh-and-Get-Moving-Blog.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"552\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Brain-Breaks-to-Help-Students-Reset-Refresh-and-Get-Moving-Blog.png\" alt=\"Brain Breaks to Help Students Reset, Refresh, and Get Moving\" class=\"wp-image-4815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Brain-Breaks-to-Help-Students-Reset-Refresh-and-Get-Moving-Blog.png 552w, https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Brain-Breaks-to-Help-Students-Reset-Refresh-and-Get-Moving-Blog-300x209.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br> Let\u2019s face it, learning can be overwhelming. With so much information coming in at once, sometimes students just need a break. That\u2019s where brain breaks come in. Brain breaks are short, focused activities designed to help students recharge and refocus. Although typically used with preschool and elementary grades, brain breaks can be used with students of all ages. Keep reading to learn more about brain breaks to help students reset, refresh, and get moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Why Brain Breaks?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Brain breaks have found their way into thousands of classrooms around the world, and it\u2019s not just because they\u2019re fun. Research involving children\u2019s brains shows that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ascd.org\/publications\/books\/104013\/chapters\/Movement-and-Learning.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">movement and exercise<\/a> can improve behavior and academic performance in the classroom. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll often see preschoolers spinning in circles, climbing around, and touching things with their hands as part of their learning process. Other types of brain breaks, such as breathing exercises, also have benefits backed by research. For example, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/adhd\/article\/6564.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">deep breathing exercises<\/a> can help decrease the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety in children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Types of Brain Breaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal of brain breaks is to get students to step back, clear their heads, and give them a couple minutes to recharge. This can be done in multiple ways. Some common forms of brain breaks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Physical movement<\/li><li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Calming exercises<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Creative activities<\/span><\/li><li>Engaging media<\/li><li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Social interaction<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While physical movement is the most common type of brain break used in the classroom, teachers can incorporate different types of brain breaks based on factors such as the time of day, the time of year, and their individual students\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Physical Movement<\/strong><br>\nResearch shows that students need to move throughout the day. Physical brain breaks get students out of their seats and give them a chance to get in a bit of exercise. Examples of physical brain breaks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Singing a song with motions<\/li><li>Reading a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/lessons\/712\/readaloud-the-clumsy-penguin-a-movement-story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">movement story<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/lessons\/663\/can-you-move-like-the-animals-movement-words\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moving like animals<\/a><\/li><li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Dancing to music<\/span><\/li><li>Stretching<\/li><li>Jogging in place<\/li><li>Jumping jacks<\/li><li>Play a game such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/tests\/833877\/pirate-ship-game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pirate Ship Game<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Calming Exercises<\/strong><br>\nLearning can be stressful, especially during testing season. Calming exercises help students release any anxiety and tension&nbsp;they have built up inside. They also teach students techniques for handling stressful scenarios in other settings. Examples of calming brain breaks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Breathing exercises<\/li><li>Guided imagery<\/li><li>Listening to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/3-ways-to-use-music-in-the-classroom.html\">calming music<\/a><\/li><li>Sitting in silence<\/li><li>Yoga poses<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Creative Activities<\/strong><br>\nCreative activities give students the opportunity to exercise a different part of the brain. A lot of learning involves logic and reasoning. Bringing creative activities into the classroom can help students connect the two sides of their brain. Examples of creative brain breaks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Drawing a picture<\/li><li>Answering a creative prompt<\/li><li>Completing a role play activity<\/li><li>Playing with clay<\/li><li>Making music<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Engaging Media<\/strong><br>\nStudents love the Internet and one particular activity they enjoy is watching videos. Sites like YouTube are full of short, highly entertaining videos. Since brain breaks are all about getting students to relax and refocus, showing a funny video or playing a popular song can be an effective way to get students, particularly those at the secondary level, to recharge in the middle of a class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Social Interaction<\/strong><br>\nSimilarly, giving students, particularly those at the secondary level, a chance to simply sit and talk to one another can be exactly the break they need. Give students 2-3 minutes where they can talk about whatever they want without the stress of having to have all the right answers. To keep conversations from getting out of hand, consider choosing a random question for students to discuss with one another. You can also play a game such as \u201cWould You Rather?\u201d or \u201cTwo Truths and Lie\u201d to give students something to talk about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Resources for Incorporating Breaks in the Classroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lots of teachers and educational organizations use brain breaks on a daily basis. Here are some resources you can use to find brain breaks to incorporate into your own classroom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/minds-in-bloom.com\/20-three-minute-brain-breaks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">20 Three-Minute Brain Breaks<\/a>&nbsp;from Minds in Bloom includes activities that range from physical to social. Our favorite is 5-4-3-2-1 which has students do five different movements in descending order. Example: Five jumping jacks, four arms up and down, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/teachtrainlove.com\/20-brain-break-clips-fight-the-fidgeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20 Brain Break Clips <\/a>&nbsp;from Teach Train Love includes songs&nbsp;that teachers can play to get kids moving in the classroom. A favorite video that we think makes a good brain break? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=astISOttCQ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Gummy Bear Song<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/begborrowandteach.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/brain-breaks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20 Brain Breaks<\/a>&nbsp;from Beg, Borrow, and Teach are organized by time-limit. The site suggests writing the ideas on color-coded popsicle sticks and choosing one every time you need a brain break for the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/coolmomtech.com\/2013\/07\/funniest-youtube-videos-for-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12 of the Funniest YouTube Videos for Kids<\/a>&nbsp;from Cool Mom Tech is a great list of videos to use as brain breaks. We think the Mr. Raisin Toast series is a great pick!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kidsyogastories.com\/how-to-do-yoga-in-your-classroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Do Yoga in Your Classroom<\/a>&nbsp;is a nice how-to guide from Kids Yoga Stories and includes a list of other calming activities for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinkoatmeal.com\/over-20-themed-brain-break-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20 Themed Brain Break Ideas<\/a>&nbsp;from Pink Oatmeal&nbsp;includes over 20 activities involving yoga, dinosaurs, and an alphabet theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.reallygoodstuff.com\/67-kid-friendly-brain-break-songs-and-musicians-for-the-classroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">67 Kid-Friendly Brain Break Songs and Musicians<\/a>&nbsp;from Really Good Stuff is a great list of songs to play when you want to encourage kids to get up and dance for a few minutes during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sph.uth.edu\/content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/APAL-Brain-Breaks-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brain Breaks Guide<\/a>&nbsp;is full of different activities to use with kids in elementary and middle school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gonoodle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GoNoodle<\/a> is a site that provides tons of brain break activities for teachers. Sign up for a free account, and then set up a class to get activities organized by grade-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.donothingfor2minutes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Do Nothing for Two Minutes<\/a> is a two-minute timer with relaxing images and background music. If two minutes seems like a long time, work up to it. Start with 30 second, then a minute, and then two minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/free-physical-education-worksheets.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HelpTeaching&#8217;s Physical Education Worksheets<\/a> offers free games and other activities to get students moving in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever brain breaks you choose, there are few things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Keep the brain breaks short. 2-3 minutes is enough to get students ready to learn again.<\/li><li>Explain to students the purpose of brain breaks. This will help main control in the classroom and may get more students involved.<\/li><li>Choose activities that benefit students. You may like yoga, but your students might think it\u2019s crazy. If you can\u2019t get them engaged in activity, it won\u2019t benefit them.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let your students experience the brain breaks alone either. Adults need brain breaks too, so jump right in and enjoy them with your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you use brain breaks with your students? If so, we\u2019d love to hear some of your favorite activities and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you enjoyed this read, you might also like what <a href=\"https:\/\/kidskonnect.com\/articles\/\">KidsKonnect has to say<\/a>. Check out their articles today.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Related Posts generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s face it, learning can be overwhelming. With so much information coming in at once, sometimes students just need a break. That\u2019s where brain breaks come in. Brain breaks are short, focused activities designed to help students recharge and refocus. 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