Written By: Lené K. Willey
You might be wondering: What exactly is a Brain Break? Simply put, a brain break is a genuine game-changer in early childhood classrooms. These brief yet impactful, energizing pauses can take the form of a lively, engaging dance video or quick, entertaining exercises that help students momentarily shift their focus, recharge their energy, and reset their minds before diving back into the next learning activity. But are they genuinely essential for children’s development and focus? Or should teachers overlook their importance, dismissing them as unnecessary distractions, and cut them entirely from their daily classroom routines?
Research indicates that young children can benefit significantly from brain breaks as short as two minutes, making them an incredibly effective tool for improving focus and overall mental well-being (Moore, 2024). These brief pauses give the brain an opportunity to reset and refocus after extended periods of sitting or concentrating on a task (Moore, 2024). By enhancing brain activity during these breaks, children are better able to support their cognitive growth, improve their mental stamina, and prepare themselves to engage more effectively in subsequent tasks or learning sessions (Moore, 2024). Brain breaks don’t have to be limited to traditional activities like dancing or exercising; there are numerous fun and creative options to explore (Moore, 2024). For example, children can recite the ABCs while balancing on one leg, walk carefully with a paper plate on their head, air-write letters and numbers in front of them, play interactive games like "Simon Says," or simply shake out their excess energy with free-form movement (Moore, 2024). The key to a successful brain break is to encourage a shift from a sedentary position to an active movement, which helps refresh and reenergize their minds before transitioning to the next activity or task.
In my classroom, brain breaks are an absolutely essential part of our daily routine! These short but impactful moments are incorporated strategically after our morning meeting, during group rotations, or even immediately following a math lesson. My kindergarteners absolutely thrive on these short, energetic breaks, and I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference they make in the overall flow of our day. To keep things interesting and engaging, I often rely on videos from platforms like YouTube or GoNoodle, but my students also adore getting involved in physical exercises while counting to one hundred. Many of the brain breaks I choose are intentionally designed to focus on cognitive development. For example, some videos skillfully combine physical activity with educational content, such as saying letters and sounds or counting out loud while also engaging in movement. Others, like freeze dances, play a crucial role in improving listening skills and sharpening focus. My students are absolutely obsessed with brain breaks—they can’t get enough and even beg for more! Their all-time favorite videos come from the vibrant "Go Danny!" and "Jack Hartmann" YouTube channels, which always deliver a fantastic mix of fun, movement, and educational content that keeps them fully engaged while continuing to learn in creative ways.
One of my personal favorite brain breaks involves counting to one hundred while doing a series of simple but effective exercises that change every ten seconds. Some of the exercises we rotate through during these 100 seconds include running in place, reaching up high towards the ceiling, stretching down to touch our toes, and making big arm circles. The kids absolutely love this activity, and the combination of movement and counting keeps their energy up and their minds sharp—it’s such a fun way to reinforce their ability to count to one hundred while staying active at the same time! Additionally, the mini pauses between exercises provide an extra layer of cognitive stimulation by encouraging them to think carefully about which number comes next in the sequence. It’s a blend of movement, learning, and mental focus that works wonders for their development.
Parents, how do you feel about brain breaks? Do you think they’re as beneficial as I do, or do you see them as more of a distraction? And teachers, do you use brain breaks in your own classrooms as part of your daily routine? I’d truly love to hear your thoughts and gather some of your favorite go-to ideas or most-used videos for brain breaks. Let’s work together to share and inspire one another—I can’t wait to read your responses and try out some of the wonderful suggestions you’re sure to have!
Resources
Moore, L. (2024, June 13). Brain breaks in the classroom. SDSU Extension. https://extension.sdstate.edu/brain-breaks-
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