Depending on your children’s age, you can ask their ideas in a brainstorming session. Here are some suggestions that have worked in my home: At Home Brain Boosting Breaks Builder’s ChallengeĮach day invite your kids to complete a builder’s challenge where they are asked to create a new structure or design using their imagination with building toys. A break from looking at the numbers on the screen and seeing friends behind a glass and using their senses to experience things thus taking a break. My kids’ schedules include a long lunch so instead of letting them slip into the virtual realm, I am rotating different activities that just give them a break. Now that we are returning to a hybrid schedule, my kids still have a lot of screen time as their eyes are glued to their Chromebooks throughout the day so I am bringing back at home brain breaks. I have specific rules about how much screen time my kids can have however, when the quarantine began in New Jersey most of those guidelines I spent years cultivating were thrown out the window with my sanity. I’ve included a few of these kinds of brain breaks, too.When the world stopped and most families huddled indoors during the winter for remote learning as their parents attempted to work indoors, there was a common theme being expressed: too much screen time. I’ve been told that heavy work activities, such as push ups or carrying books can help calm his nervous system and help him focus better. While my oldest son has not been officially diagnosed with sensory processing, I have explored it some with an OT friend of mine. He will actually tell me, “Mom, it feels like my brain is falling asleep.” I have been using brain breaks over that midline to the other, we’re getting the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other to coordinate the movement.

Otherwise, his brain takes a hike into la-la land.

My 2nd grader, in particular, has always needed frequent breaks.

What is a brain break? A brain break is a simple and quick activity that you can implement before, during, or after a teaching time that can get the blood pumping and more importantly, energizes the brain. Brain breaks can be more academic in nature, but today I’m sharing some that get the wiggles out. **The free printable can be found towards the end of the post. Enter wiggle brain breaks! These wiggle brain breaks can help wake up and recharge the brain, something I particularly need after lunch! Do you teach a wiggle worm? Or perhaps your learner(s) have been sitting for a while and you can see the energy level going down.

Fun brain breaks