Brain Breaks...do they work?

Question

I've just been on a course about learning styles and accelerated learning, they reckon brain breaks work - where the kids do something more physical before/during work to stimulate the brain. Have you used them? do they work? and if so are there any particular brain breaks which the children like and which work?! My class are 10 and 11 years old.

Answer 1

Perhaps a walk or run to school would do the trick. If you live near enough.

Answer 2

Always, in school I use the 'Take 5' programme. Where every now and again we go out onto the playground and run around for five minutes. It gets the blood flowing and more oxygen into the blood. This stimulates all the bodily organs, including the brain. (its good for you even as an adult).
Also I am currently studying education in Finland, here, at primary school, they have 45 minute lessons followed by 15 minutes outdoor play every hour. And the results are obvious, the children are more concentrated and more able to sit still for the 45 minute lesson.

Answer 3

Oh my god - it brings back nightmares to think of brain breaks! I worked in a school for two years where ALPS (accelerated learning in primary schools) was heavily applied - which included brain breaks. Now the thing is yes they do work (with some children - not all) but you have to be rigid in applying them and there is a period where the children have to get used to them. In initially the children tend to get very excited by them and it takes ages to get them settled afterwards. Good luck.

Answer 4

I've not heard the term before, but it's common knowledge in the world of teaching that students can't sit still forever. Giving them a chance to get up and move around will definitely help them focus on the task at hand. If you have particularly kinesthetic learners in your class, you may find they learn best if you allow them to get up and move around DURING your lesson or the time they're supposed to be working. Some people need to experience motion to learn!

Answer 5

That is essential. It doesn't make any profit if you sit and read all the time. After some time you just don't take in any more, some consolidation is necessary, that's why it's good to take a break. Sometimes you study at night and seem not to remember. But in the morning you realize that you know all that - cause the brain just relaxed;)

Answer 6

Yes they do. Our school uses Bal-a-vis-x. It is a program that incorporates the use of movement into learning. For example, we use bouncing balls in spelling. They bounce the ball with their right hand on each letter of the word, and then when they are done, they say the word and switch it over to their left hand. This transfers the material from the left side of the brain to the right side. This program also helps with your ADHD kids. It gives them a physical concrete object to use as they learn. Our kids love it!

Answer 7

Yes, with children aged about 11-14 (KS3) certainly. After that they get more conditioned to sitting and plodding through (and think it is 'silly').

I find they work well to 'wake' kids up after a passive, quiet activity (like reading) and ready to write answers or discuss.

Answer 8

i have used them for myself and with classes of children from 5-11 they work very well indeed...best when you look at different stretching and relaxation activities for whole body and different body parts...actions that use coordination and those that develop balance and good posture...keeping it short and light (keep it fun) is most effective...
look for more info by googling 'brain gym' there should be something on the national grid for learning
good luck

Answer 9

I use them for myself. I get up and stretch some. Walk around, get something to drink and so on. They clear the cobwebs.

Have the kids do something that actually gets their blood moving again. It will help them to stay alert and focused