Executive Function Category: Self-Awareness and Attention

Purpose: This restorative break provides processing time for students to solidify their learning. Brain breaks reduce stress and increase self-esteem. They are important to build in before a student becomes fatigued, frustrated with, or inattentive to a learning task.

Learning Goal: The student will take a mental break using movement to find energy, or a calm, quiet activity to find relaxation.

Materials: Website to access videos, any item that supports your student in finding relaxation (book, music, fidget, etc.)

Lesson Steps:

1. Determine if your student needs to -

• increase his/her energy level by selecting a movement activity, or

• find a relaxing, calming activity to help refocus attention.

2. Explain to your student that they are going to select a 'brain break' which will give them an opportunity to 'take a break' and get ready to learn again for the next task. Many students at the elementary and even middle school level are familiar with this concept and take brain breaks in their classrooms.

3. After selecting the type of brain break needed - 'movement' or 'calm' - give your student a choice of brain break options. You can find these options outlined in the articles and websites below.

4. Younger, elementary-age students are typically ready for a brain break after approximately 10-15 minutes of learning activities. Older students may be able to go for slightly longer periods of time for 20-30 minutes between breaks.

5. A brain break is approximately 3-5 minutes that you can adjust as needed for your student.

6. Brain breaks can be used throughout the day to help your student with self-regulation and focus. The breaks can occur at certain times of the day, or after certain tasks of the day have been completed.

7. If you need additional assistance with selecting appropriate brain breaks, or if your student is still having difficulty staying engaged, please reach out to your student's case manager or Occupational Therapist for support.