Brain Breaks for Kids

What are Brain Breaks?

Brain breaks are a very simple process where young kids are offered a short mental break at regular intervals between their work or classes. These breaks can be anything from a couple of minutes to around fifteen minutes, and they’re designed to help kids refocus and recharge.

A brain break is not only for kids who have trouble paying attention but actually beneficial for all children. Brain breaks give kids a chance to get up and move around, which can help them stay alert and focused when they return to their work.

There are lots of different ways to incorporate brain breaks into your day. You can build them into your lesson plans, or just take a few minutes whenever you feel your students starting to lose focus.

Why Are Brain Breaks Important?

Most kids tend to struggle from time to time with their math homework, and other things they have to focus on during the day. It can be hard for them to sit still for long periods of time, and they might get antsy or bored.

This is where brain breaks come in! Brain breaks can help kids refocus and recharge, so they’re able to pay attention and stay on task.

In addition to helping with focus, brain breaks can also:

Improve behavior and mood

Brain breaks can help kids release excess energy, so they’re less likely to act out. They can also help regulate their mental energy by reducing stress, anxiety etc., and improve overall mood.

Moreover, their behavior also witnesses a significant change and improvement over a period of time as they are able to comply with the rules and regulations of the classroom better.

Encourage physical activity

Brain breaks are a great way to get kids moving and help them get the exercise they need. They can also help improve coordination and gross motor skills.

Boost brain power

Physical activity has been shown to improve brain function, and brain breaks are a great way to get kids moving. Exercise can help improve memory, increase focus, and reduce stress.

Increase learning and retention

When a student takes brain breaks, they’re giving their brains a chance to rest and recharge. This can help them absorb and retain information better.

Brain breaks involving a learning activity can also help improve working memory, which is the ability to store and recall information.

Enhance creativity

Brain breaks can help kids tap into their creative side. When they take a break from their work, they’re giving themselves permission to daydream and be playful.

This can lead to new ideas and solutions that they might not have come up with if they had stayed focused on their work.

Increase academic performance

Numerous studies have shown that brain breaks can actually improve academic performance.

One study found that students who took brain breaks were able to retain more information and perform better on tests than those who didn’t take any breaks.

Other studies have shown that brain breaks can help improve problem-solving skills, memory, and creative thinking.

Enhance physical health

Brain breaks are a great way to get kids moving, and physical activity has countless benefits for kids’ physical health. Exercise can help improve coordination, balance, and flexibility, and it can also reduce the risk of obesity.

Boost energy levels

When kids are feeling tired, it can be hard for them to focus on their work. Brain breaks can help boost their energy levels and improve their alertness. High energy levels are key to increasing focus and productivity, so brain breaks are a great way to keep kids productive throughout the day.

If you’re looking for fun ways to incorporate brain breaks into your classroom, many options are available. You can try dance parties, computer games, yoga or mindfulness sessions, or even just go outside for some fresh air.

The Science Behind Brain Breaks

According to research, brain breaks offer some valuable time to reboot and rest. Thus, they boost the overall creativity and productivity of kids. In fact, this is not just restricted to younger kids. Brain breaks can be quite beneficial for older kids and adults as well.

• People who took brief breaks while working on a computer-based task were able to perform the task more accurately and with greater speed than those who did not take any breaks.
• The above point shows how brain breaks can help improve focus and productivity. When you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, it can be tempting to just power through and push yourself to keep working. However, this strategy is often counterproductive.
• Pushing yourself to work when you’re tired can actually lead to more mistakes and less productivity in the long run. This is because your brain isn’t able to function at its best when it’s tired.
• When you take a brain break, you’re giving your brain a chance to rest and recharge. This can help you come back to your work feeling refreshed and ready to focus.
• In addition to the research that’s been conducted on brain breaks, there’s also a lot of anecdotal evidence about how helpful these activities can be.
• Many people have reported that incorporating brain breaks into their regular routines improved their focus and productivity in a variety of settings, including at work and during school.

Overall, taking brain breaks is an excellent way to improve your overall health and well-being as well as your performance at work or at school.

Types of Brain Breaks

There are several types of brain breaks, some of them include:

Physical Brain Break

Physical brain breaks are a great way to get kids up and moving. These types of breaks can help improve kids focus, behavior, and overall mood.

Breathing Brain Breaks

Breathing brain breaks are a great way to help kids relax and refocus. These types of breaks can help reduce stress and anxiety. Thus, they can improve their self-esteem and overall mood.

Mental Brain Breaks

Mental brain breaks are a great way to help kids refocus and recharge. These types of breaks can help improve overall mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

As you can see, there are many different types of brain breaks. And, each type of break can offer different benefits. So, it’s crucial to choose the ones that work best for your students and your classroom.

A Few Ways to Take a Brain Break

There are many different brain break activities that you can try with your students. Here are some ideas for physical brain breaks, breathing brain breaks

Some Ideas for Physical Brain Breaks Include: 

Dance parties

Whether you turn on some music and do a few quick dance moves, or try out some fun kid-friendly dances like the Hokey Pokey or the Chicken Dance, dancing is a great way to improve your blood flow and boost your energy levels.

Yoga and mindfulness exercises

Yoga can help kids relax and de-stress, which is important for their physical and mental health. It can also help improve flexibility, strength, and focus. 

For example, have them lie down on their backs and focus on their breath, or have them try a few simple yoga poses.

Running or walking laps

Let your students run or walk around the room or school grounds if you have the space. This is a great way to get their heart rates up and burn off some extra energy. 

Some Ideas for Breathing Brain Breaks Include: 

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a great way to relax and de-stress. To do deep breathing, have your students sit up tall with their eyes closed. They should inhale deeply through their noses, filling their lungs with air. Then, they should exhale slowly through their mouths. 

Box breathing

Have your students sit up tall and close their eyes. Then, have them breathe in for a count of four, hold their breath for a count of four, breathe out for a count of four, and hold their breath for a count of four. They can repeat this process for a few minutes. 

Belly breathing

Have your students lie down on their backs with their hands on their stomachs. They should inhale deeply through their noses, filling their stomachs with air. Then, they should exhale slowly through their mouths. 

Some Ideas for Mental Brain Breaks Include: 

Mindfulness

There are lots of mindfulness apps and videos available that are specifically designed for kids. Mindfulness can help improve focus and concentration. Encourage your students to practice mindfulness for just a few minutes each day. 

Daydreaming

Have your students close their eyes and imagine they are in their favorite place. Encourage them to focus on the details, such as the sights, sounds, and smells. 

Visualization

Have your students close their eyes and think of a positive outcome for a situation they are worried about. For example, if they are concerned about a test, they can visualize themselves getting a good grade. 

Positive self-talk

Have your students think of some positive things they can say to themselves when they are feeling stressed or anxious. Encourage them to repeat these positive affirmations to themselves throughout the day.

Movement songs

There are lots of great movement songs available online. These songs are a great way to get your students up and moving, and they can help improve focus and concentration.

Best Brain Break Games

Silent Ball

This is an amazing activity because it involves coordination and physical activity within a silent room, which is perfect for when your kids need to take a quick break from the chaos of a busy classroom.

All you need for this activity are some softballs, or a bouncy ball, and a large space.

Kids will work on their coordination as they throw and catch the ball without making any loud noises.

Beach Ball Toss

This activity is perfect for a hot day when you want to cool off and have some fun in the sun.

You’ll need a beach ball and a large open space to play. Students will take turns throwing the ball as high as they can and trying to catch it.

For example, have a few students toss the ball, and encourage other students to try to catch it.

This activity is great for gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s also a lot of fun!

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks are a great way to get the heart pumping and the body moving. This fun game can be played indoors or outdoors.

To play, students will stand in a line and then jump up and spread their legs while raising their arms above their heads. They will then jump back into the line and repeat the process.

This activity is great for gross motor skills, coordination, and cardiovascular health.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a classic game that is perfect for a brain break. This game can be played with a group of any size.

To play, only one student will be Simon and the other students will be the players. Simon will give instructions to the players, such as “Simon says touch your nose”. The players will only do the action if Simon begins the instruction with “Simon says”.

If Simon does not say “Simon says” before giving the instruction, the players should not do the action.

This game is a fun way to get students up and moving while also practicing great following directions and listening skills.

Skip counting

This activity is perfect for when your kids need to take a mental break and refocus.

To do this activity, have students stand up and count by 2’s, 5’s, or 10’s. For example, have them start counting at 20 and skip counting to 40. This activity is great for number recognition and simple math skills.

When students count by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s they are also practicing their multiplication skills.

Spelling Words

This activity is perfect for when your kids need a break from sitting at their desks.

To do this activity, have students stand up and spell words out loud. They can spell their spelling words, sight words, or any other vocabulary words that you choose.

This activity is great for practicing spelling and helping students to practice spelling words and learn new words.

Card Tricks and Magic

If your kids love all things magical, why not integrate some fun card tricks and magic into their brain breaks?

You can watch videos online together, or try learning some simple card tricks that you can do with your kids.

With so many great activities available, it’s easy to find one that kids and even grown-ups can enjoy. Brain breaks are a great way to get kids up and moving, while also providing a much-needed mental break from the day-to-day.

Teach your kid a new skill

Use brain breaks as an opportunity to teach your kids a new skill! This could be anything from cooking or baking to playing a musical instrument or learning a new language.

Learning a new skill is not only fun, but it’s also beneficial for your child’s brain development.

So why wait? Try out some of these brain breaks today and see how much more productive your entire class now becomes!

With so many great activities available, it’s easy to find one that kids and even grown-ups can enjoy. Brain breaks are a great way to get kids up and moving, while also providing a much-needed mental break from the day-to-day.

Conclusion

Brain breaks are just what your students need to reenergize and refocus. Engaging a student with their favorite brain break will help them to refocus and be ready to learn. These are fun and easy to implement in any classroom! By incorporating brain breaks into your daily routine, you’ll see a difference in your

It’s important to make sure that brain breaks are a part of your daily routine to boost the productivity of a student. Just like students need to take a break from their work, they also need to take a break from their thoughts and emotions. Brain breaks provide an opportunity for students to reset and refocus.

Sources:

Brain breaks for kids. UNICEF Kid Power. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://unicefkidpower.org/brain-breaks-for-kids/

Why brain breaks are important: Fun brain breaks for kids: Galaxy Academy. Galaxy Kids. (2020, December 1). Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://galaxykids.ai/why-brain-breaks-are-important/

Williams, M. (2022, April 8). 9 brain break ideas to help your students focus – classcraft blog. Resource hub for schools and districts. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.classcraft.com/blog/brain-break-ideas/

Tapp, F. (n.d.). Kids Need Brain Breaks – and so do adults. BrainFacts.org. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/learning-and-memory/2020/kids-need-brain-breaks-010920