Brain Breaks
Brain breaks are a proven regulation and engagement strategy that helps prepare the mind and body for new or continued learning. They are short kinesthetic or thinking activities that help students prepare for new or continued learning. Students should not use brain breaks to avoid instruction or work but instead use them to recalibrate their focus and self-regulation. The majority of your students want and can regulate their time-on-task behaviour. However, some students require more frequent breaks, and they can often be the indicator that it’s time for a brain break for everyone. Effective brain breaks need to occur before boredom sets in. Students self-identifying when they need a break is an important step in self-advocacy and regulation. In your classroom, use brain breaks to calm, energize, transition, and build community.
Share the impact that brain breaks have in your classrooms, and any additional brain break activities by emailing [email protected].
Share the impact that brain breaks have in your classrooms, and any additional brain break activities by emailing [email protected].
myPITA brain break resources
myPITA Brain Break Activity Booklet - PDF
The myPITA brain break booklet is full of no or minimal prep activities to get students moving and doing creative and critically thinking activities.
myPITA Brain Break Activity Cube - PDF
The myPITA activity cube takes away the cognitive load required to plan an activity and leaves it to chance. Each activity is described in the booklet and/or movement break videos. Print and assemble the cube for .
How to use the cube
Roll for a random brain break activity that is described in the booklet.
Instructional Movement Break Videos
Move along with our four brain break movement activities videos. Each easy-to-follow video is 3-4 minutes long.
Also checkout our physical literacy/PE Gym activities and lesson plans page.
The myPITA brain break booklet is full of no or minimal prep activities to get students moving and doing creative and critically thinking activities.
myPITA Brain Break Activity Cube - PDF
The myPITA activity cube takes away the cognitive load required to plan an activity and leaves it to chance. Each activity is described in the booklet and/or movement break videos. Print and assemble the cube for .
How to use the cube
Roll for a random brain break activity that is described in the booklet.
- Outside bolded: Take a movement break. See the movement break videos and brain break booklet for more info.
- Inside italic: Play a game that is described in the booklet.
- Apples: Use the giant die to roll a random number from 1 to 6.
- Letters: Great for Categories/Scattegories and other word games. Toss the cube and use the letter that your right thumb lands on.
- Variation: Assemble the cube in reverse and write your own activities onto the cube.
Instructional Movement Break Videos
Move along with our four brain break movement activities videos. Each easy-to-follow video is 3-4 minutes long.
Also checkout our physical literacy/PE Gym activities and lesson plans page.