There are several ways to provide a brain break for students. Many students struggling to understand a complex concept can benefit from movement breaks. These break activities can include yoga poses, stretching, jumping jacks, push-ups, and dance parties. Here are some examples:
Dot art
A creative way to relieve stress and encourage focus is through dot art. Students can enjoy the process of dotting paint onto paper and the unique sensory feedback they receive. This activity is engaging and requires little time. It also promotes learning about color and shapes. Dot art projects can be broken down into different categories: painting, dot to dot, and paper. Students can work in groups or independently to create pieces of art that are uniquely their own.
In addition to being an excellent differentiation tool, dot-art can be a perfect mental outlet for students. It only takes two or three minutes and can give kids a much-needed break. Kids who enjoy this activity are more likely to concentrate and can stay focused for longer periods. It can also be an excellent way to change the pace of the lesson. The benefits of dot art for students are many.
Freeze dance
A simple game like the freeze dance will help to motivate your students and channel their energy. It is not hard to play and comes in a variety of songs. It is also an effective reward for students, especially those sitting in their seats and taking tests all day. Students freeze when the music stops in this activity, and the teacher plays the song again. Again, this is an effective reward activity, and it can be used before and after holidays or during weeks of increased distraction.
One of the advantages of using a freeze dance as a brain break for students is that it can be used in many different settings, including music classes. It can be used to teach expressive movement and connect cultural events and holidays to academic learning. For example, students may be reluctant to listen to big pieces of music and find it difficult to express the emotional qualities of the music through movement. Then, students can be encouraged to move to the music by freeing their minds and bodies.
Jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles provide a great way to unplug from information overload. Students who spend a lot of time on computers or watching TV can take a break from studying by solving a jigsaw puzzle. This activity is also a great way to improve students’ mental health.
