Why Brain Breaks Help Complex Learners Succeed
Julia McKay, MS, OTR/L
Whether it’s swinging in the Sensory Arena, riding a scooter down the hallway, or hopscotching during a math lesson – at the Wolf School movement is embedded throughout the day. At Wolf, we understand how critical movement breaks are to Complex Learners and their success. For today’s blog, we chatted with Wolf’s talented Occupational Therapist, Julia McKay to discover the benefits of movement and learn more about movement in the classroom and at home.
Why are brain breaks so important?
Movement breaks are so important because they help our learners to feel calm, regulated, and able to focus on their academic tasks. I’m sure we can all relate to a time when we may have had a hard time focusing through a long meeting or paying attention to a presentation. As adults, there are things we might do to help, like chewing gum or tapping our leg. These are all sensory strategies we inherently adopt to help ourselves focus. Just like we may struggle to focus, we can understand how it may be hard for our students to focus throughout a long school day. Allowing our bodies the opportunity to move sends our brain the sensory information it needs to maintain a ready-to-learn state. Not only can movement stimulate the student’s brain to be ready for learning but it can promote coordination, strength, and balance.
Does everyone require the same amount or type of movement?
The short answer is no. Every student has a different sensory profile, which means they require or prefer different types of sensory input to feel regulated and function throughout their daily activities. Some students may require vigorous movement for an extended period for their central nervous system to feel regulated while others may need slow linear movement on a swing to feel the same regulatory state. For example, you may have a student who does not like to have their feet off the ground, so activities like jumping, swinging, or rolling on a therapy ball may be very unnerving for them. If you do whole group movement activities, it is strongly encouraged to consider the sensory needs of all the students participating. At school, movement/brain breaks should be incorporated into the classroom as often as your students may need depending on their age and attention span. At the Wolf School, we are so lucky to have many skilled occupational therapists in the classrooms who you can consult on plans to meet the specific needs of your students.
Can movement breaks help Complex Learners at home?
Absolutely! Incorporating movement into your home routines can help your Complex Learner be regulated throughout the day. For example, if you know your child is someone who prefers deep pressure (proprioceptive input), you can be sure to give them a big squeeze/hug periodically throughout the day to give their sensory system the input they are seeking. If they don’t prefer hugging, maybe they like to crash into the couch cushions or onto their bed. You could even have them help you carry in the groceries to give them another opportunity to get in some “heavy work” and provide feedback to their muscles. Encouraging your child to move their bodies throughout the day can help to regulate their system and hopefully prevent some of those big meltdowns we may all be familiar with!
What are some fun ways to incorporate movement into the classroom or at home?
There are so many ways to incorporate movement into your daily routine both at school and at home. Starting the day by incorporating a movement activity (Simon Says, dance video, spin the wheel and pick a movement, etc.) into the morning meeting is a great way to set students up for success for the rest of the day. You could even try incorporating movement into classroom jobs like having your student propel a scooter board prone, using their arms, down the hallway to deliver mail to the office. Deep pressure/heavy work can also help certain students, like spending some time stretching in a body sock, under a weighted blanket, or in a cuddle swing. While it is important to promote a well-regulated student at school, it is equally important to consider the sensory needs of your child at home. For example, if you need your child to clean their room, but it may require a long period of time, try breaking it up into smaller increments of time and giving them 5-minute breaks to run around in the backyard, or ride their bike, before coming back to finish the task.
How can I learn more about my child’s sensory profile and what movement might help them?
Understanding a child’s sensory profile can be challenging at times, even for some of the most trained professionals. The Wolf School is so lucky to have skilled occupational therapists in all of its classrooms. If you are unsure or unfamiliar, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s occupational therapist and ask questions. We are here to support you! It is also important to keep in mind that a sensory profile is constantly evolving and changing as your child grows and evolves so what might be true about them one year may not necessarily be the case for another. Additionally, movement strategies that may work for your child in the morning, may not have the same effect later in the day or even a week later. That is where we, as skilled professionals, can assist you in establishing the best sensory strategies for your child, lifestyle, and family.
Want to get notified when there’s a new World of Complex Learners blog post? Subscribe to our blog!