Rolling Hills Primary School Newsletter

Chaplain's Chat

Hi everyone, 

 

Hope you’ve all been safe and well. It’s been a difficult couple of weeks as the fatigue of lockdown has settled in. It's normal to be feeling extra tired and frustrated with the prolonged restrictions. 

 

One way to help with this extra fatigue is to structure some brain breaks throughout the day! A brain break is a short break from anything which has been using up your focus and attention. A brain break can replenish reduce stress, improve learning and boost creativity and productivity. 

 

The key to brain breaks is to take them before you start feeling fatigued or distracted. For young kids, this might be after 10-15 minutes of work. Older Children and Adults can usually work for longer, about 30 minutes before needing a break. 

 

The goal of a brain break is for Children to shift their brains into focus. Sometimes it means just getting up and moving, especially if you’ve been sitting or a while. This exercise can increase blood flow to the brain and help with focusing and staying alert. Sometimes, a relaxing and quiet brain break is needed when you’re feeling frustrated and need to focus. 

Some examples of some physical break breaks include: 

  • Stretching breaks: For example walk like a bear, hop like a frog, stand like a flamingo
  • Wall push-ups and regular push-ups
  • Jumping jacks
  • Running in place as fast as possible
  • Snow angels on the floor

Some examples of calming brain breaks include:

  • Squiggle story: Draw a squiggle and then turn it into a picture
  • Sing the alphabet with names of objects instead of letters
  • Draw a picture in the air while someone else guesses what it is
  • Practice deep breathing: Place your hands on your chest and belly while you breathe and focus on the physical movements of your breath.

 

Brain breaks work best when they are planned and structured into a day. They can be taken based on timed intervals (e.g. every 20 minutes) or after tasks are completed (e.g. when the page is finished). 

 

Wishing you all safe and well and can't wait to see everyone soon!

 

Angelique Vardis

Chaplain