Take a Brain Break!!!

Have you ever had those moments when your child should be doing homework, but instead keeps wasting time by not focusing to get it done? Whether your child attends school all day or is homeschooled, you can recognize that sometimes it’s a good thing to step away from school work for a time to recharge the brain. This is what we call taking a brain break!<

What is a Brain Break?

A Brain Break is a 3-5 minute span of time when the child does another activity that exercises a part of the brain that was not being used actively during the concentration of school work, thereby giving the part of the brain they had been using for school a rest.

You may feel like you don’t have the time to spare for taking a brain break with your child, but research shows that it increases the productivity of school work to take brain breaks when needed.  Elementary aged children need a brain break every 10-15 minutes of concentrated think time, whereas middle and high school students can last 20-30 minutes before needing a brain break.

Remember, a brain break doesn’t have to last long.

Helpful Resources

Check out what Dr. Judy Willis ( a neurologist turned teacher) says on her website radteach.com.  

She explains the science behind how brain breaks work and includes many articles for parents and teachers alike to read more about how our brains work in learning.

One handy resource for brain breaks you may use is www.gonoodle.com.  This is a free website that allows children to login with a creature they get to design and add to each time they complete one of the brain breaks. The brain breaks are included as videos so that your child may be guided in the activity (whether it be a song, dance, or deep breathing exercise). It also comes as an app you may install on your phone or tablet.

The next time you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere with your child on their work, remember that they’ve been at school all day and are tired. Remember to give a chance for their brain to rest in the area they’ve been using while another brain area gets used in a physical activity (moving, laughing, dancing, singing, breathing, or even playing a short game).

It’s only 3-5 minutes. Tell your child what to expect: it won’t last long, it’s just a small break, and we’ll get back to work after it’s over so that we can get it done and not have to worry about it..

Parents, take charge of your child’s education and start implementing brain breaks for them.  Give them this strategy of brain breaks so you can both handle those weary times of homework.