Breaks

GIVE ME A BREAK

Learning is wonderful-and sometimes stressful. If you find that you or your child are becoming frustrated, take a few moments to relax. A relaxed mind and body improve your child's ability to learn and your ability to be patient.

IMPROVING ATTENTION AND SELF REGULATION

A few ideas from our Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Adams, that may benefit any child experiencing a difficult time with attention or self regulation in the classroom:

• Heavy work activities such as taking the class books to the library, wall push ups, completing written work on the floor while propped up on elbows, or just carrying something heavy for 2-3 minutes.
• Movement breaks will help the brain stay awake and more oxygen to the brain will increase attention. Think about what we do to get ourselves "awake" if we are having a difficult time focusing on a task-we get up, move around, get a drink of water and generally just get our blood flowing again.
• Water bottles are great to help keep hydrated and stay thinking more clearly.
• Sometimes a child will benefit from placement of a resistive band on the bottom of their chair for foot/leg movement. This gives them something to get feedback from pushing on.
• Finger fidgets or a fidget box-of course, depends on the child. Something as simple as a slider ring may work. Fidget boxes may have all types of materials in them ranging from a squeeze ball to a tangle. Even rubber band balls are great for them to have in the box.
• Make sure there are parameters set on any of the above. Have the child indicate what helps them think better. Is it moving around or maybe having a few minutes in a bean bag to help focus?Sometimes ownership of the task makes it more engaging or rewarding. Kids can give us valuable information if we engage them in the process.