Every parent with a young child knows that kids can have a hard time staying focused on a task. In fact, kids under 6 can typically only concentrate on something for about 5 to 20 minutes at a time. One key to helping kids stay focused is building in frequent breaks to recharge.
After some time focusing on the same thing, attention can start to wane which can cause productivity to decrease along with it. Taking a short break to refocus can help revive a child’s energy and dedication to their task. “Brain breaks” are short, primarily physical, activities that can help a child get energized and renew their focus on the task at hand.
How to use brain breaks
If you’ve ever had your child “get the wiggles out,” you’re already familiar with the concept of brain breaks. Teachers employ this method often to help kids get rid of excess energy so they can settle back in and focus.
At home, parents can use brain breaks whenever they notice their child is starting to lose concentration on a task. The signs that a child’s focus is waning include—
- Lots of fidgeting, or an inability to sit still
- Losing their train of thought
- Talking about things unrelated to the task at hand
- Staring off into space or at something unrelated to their task
- Forgetting instructions or having trouble listening
- Rapidly decreasing productivity or pace while working on their task
- Finding excuses to get up or do other things
Once you notice your child’s attention going downhill, it’s time to implement a brain break. Breaking the monotony with a physical activity can help kids decompress and burn off that extra energy that’s been building up while they’ve been staying focused.
30 brain breaks to try with your kids
There are lots of different ways for kids to get a brain break. Try out different ideas and see what seems to be most effective for your child. Or, continue to mix it up for some fun and variety. You might even write down your favorites on slips of paper and put them in a box or jar. When it’s time for a brain break, have your child pull out an idea and give it a try.
Here are 30 brain breaks to try with your kids—
- Set a timer for 60 seconds and see how many jumping jacks or high jumps they can do.
- Have them rub their hands together until they get warm and then put them over their eyes for several seconds.
- Put on a favorite song and dance until it’s over.
- Give them some room and have them practice some martial arts moves.
- Have them spread their arms like wings and pretend to fly around the room.
- Bounce a beach ball or balloon and try to keep it from touching the floor.
- Play “the floor is lava” for 2 minutes.
- Have them do a quick, physical chore like putting the laundry in the washing machine or taking out the trash.
- Skip, run, do the grapevine, crawl or hop down the length of the hallway.
- Do a plank for as long as possible.
- Do a short yoga flow.
- Play a short, physical game like hopscotch or a quick round of ping pong.
- Do a short scavenger hunt around the house.
- Use a shoestring or something long to create an imaginary balance beam and have them walk across it with one foot in front of the other.
- Stand on one foot as long as possible.
- Take a walk or ride a bike or scooter around the block.
- Play with a pet.
- Toss a ball in the air and try to catch it 3 times in a row.
- Play on swings or a trampoline.
- Do a guided meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Have them tap repeatedly with their fingertips on their forehead, eyebrows, temples, chin, and collarbones.
- Have them rub their belly and pat the top of their head at the same time.
- Have them punch a pillow for several seconds.
- Have them wiggle their body for 30 seconds.
- Doodle or scribble on construction paper for 1 minute.
- Play a few rounds of Simon Says.
- Play Freeze Dance, where they dance until the music stops, and then start again when the music starts.
- Dance along to “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.”
- Pretend to be an animal of their choosing for 1 minute.
- Have them balance a book or paper plate on their head for as long as they can.
For more tips, check out these simple ways to help kids focus.