![]() If it says “make 10 snow angels” we drop to the floor and pretend to make 10 snow angels on our hardwood floor. If it says to “do 20 jumping jacks” we all (yes, even this mom) do 20 jumping jacks together. When the timer goes off, we take turns grabbing a card from the Take a Break! can and together we ALL do whatever the card says. Thus, this year we have added a timer to our classroom and pause for a brain break every 20 minutes or so. For lower elementary, 15-20 minutes is considered the ideal learning time, while 25-30 minutes for older elementary students, and 30-45 for middle school students and beyond. For instance, Charlotte Mason suggests short intense lessons as opposed to long drawn out lessons to both keep the interest of the child and prevent burn-out. They allow the child an opportunity to rest his/her brain from intense mental activity and let out any frustration that may have been building up in the form of a physical release.Įven for a child who doesn’t have SPD, many physical breaks throughout a school day is often recommended. ![]() They are usually short in duration (usually 1 to 5 minutes) and of a high intensity (think jumping jacks or pushups). Thus, this year we have chosen to add a new facet to our homeschool–brain breaks! What is a Brain Break?īrain Breaks are quick physical exercises meant to rejuvenate a child’s mental, emotional, and physical state while learning. Jumping on a trampoline, rough-housing, and even chewing 3 pieces of gum at once can often help meet a need found in a child with SPD. One of the things that helps with SPD and trains a child with SPD to adapt is what Occupational Therapists call a Sensory Diet or the incorporation of a lot of physical movement activities into the child’s day. Basically, if it involves the senses and the automatic response is inappropriate, it could plausibly be labeled as SPD. SPD can involve a wide range of symptoms from auditory sensitivity (being overly sensitive to loud noises) to modulation sensitivity (being unable to transition calmly and quickly from one activity to another). For those who do not know, SPD is a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. This past year we came face to face with Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD in our family. For more info please see my disclosure policy. ![]() Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. ![]()
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