Mindfulness Breaks
Overview
Short breaks that include mindfulness quiet the brain to allow for improved thinking and emotional regulation. Research has shown that mindfulness can increase kindness, improve Sleep quality, reduce the effect of Stereotype Threat for females in math, and even improve math scores by reducing math anxiety.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how this teacher leads the class through several different mindfulness and movement exercises, also allowing the students to lead some of them. Short exercises like these can support students' Attention in math.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
See how Headspace's bite-sized mindfulness exercises can be used as breaks during class. Audio and video exercises guide students through quick meditations to destress and regulate their Emotion.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Multisensory Supports Strategies
Communication boards are displays of graphics (e.g., pictures, symbols, illustrations) and/or words where learners can gesture or point to the displays to extend their expressive language potential.
Adding motions to complement learning activates more cognitive processes for recall and understanding.
Brain breaks that include movement allow learners to refresh their thinking and focus on learning new information.
Providing physical and virtual representations of numbers and math concepts helps activate mental processes.
Connecting information to music and dance can support Short-term and Long-term Memory by engaging auditory processes, Emotions, and physical activity.
Research shows physical activity improves focus and creativity.
Incorporating multiple senses with strategies like chewing gum, using a fidget, and sitting on a ball chair supports focus and Attention.
Using earplugs or headphones can increase focus and comfort.
Transforming written text into audio activates different parts of the brain to support learning.
Tossing a ball, beanbag, dice, or other small object activates physical focus in support of mental focus.
Visual supports, like text magnification, colored overlays, and guided reading strip, help students focus and properly track as they read.
