How I use the "I Need a Brain Break" Card Set
Sometimes we all need a reset.
We need to take that quick pause to calm our mind and body. Brain breaks can be that reset needed by students in a busy classroom, and children within their own homes. Sometimes it is hard to come up with an idea on the fly, and students who needs a break may not be able to make a choice.
Thanks to the fantastic art of Educlips, I created a card set that I hope will support you during these moments at home or school. You can read more about the importance of brain breaks in this previous blog post I wrote. And, if you want to grab the I Need a Brain Break cards, click HERE in my Resource Center.
Here are a few easy ways to implement the set.
Put them on the refrigerator at home as an easy-to-find visual of activities you can do to provide a break. Consider having your child select 3-4 for the day and put them on the fridge. Then, if there comes a time during the day when a pause and shift are needed, the child can select one activity to do. These activities are great tools for homeschool settings. You can do the brain break together to model how movement, meditation, humor, or a gentle pause can be helpful for us all.
Place the cards on a ring for an easy-to-choose menu of brain break options. Depending on the learner, you may need to put only a few on the ring for each lesson or class session. Once a choice is made, they can “cash it in” and use the remaining cards for other breaks. Consider it a ticket!
Another helpful tip not related directly to the cards - but one that might make implementation a bit easier - is to have a visual timer for how long the break will last. The visual supports students with understanding when transitions have to occur. This one is similar to the one I have, and I like how students can see the countdown (#ad).
When used in a classroom, it can be helpful to put them in a predictable and noticeable spot. I like to put the choices for the day on my board. Students can come up and select a card or I can select a card for the group. By having preselected choices, I can keep larger groups on schedule. It can also be motivating to work towards being the one who is asked to come up and make the selection for the group. Knowing what the choices are gives autonomy within gentle boundaries.
I hope that this set is useful for you at home and at school, and I also hope that these breaks will allow for positive resets in with your students or children. If you use the cards and share a post, consider tagging me using #theinstructionhub or @ theinstructionhub.
Thanks for reading!
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