Brain Break

You will need:

• No tools are needed for this activity.

The Activity:

Yoga is a wonderful way to incorporate movement and calming. Join us in this spring themed yoga excercise to prepare our body and mind to concentrate.

Goals:

Movement activities help children prepare their bodies and minds for learning. Yoga requires children to conceive, plan, and carry out a skilled motor movement, also known as motor planning. Yoga also teaches our children self-regulation by learning to calm our bodies and mind.

You will need:

No tools needed

The Activity:

The game of Simon Says teaches children many important skills that are required to be successful in school and at home. In this activity, children will play Simon Says by following the directions of the video.

Goals:

Simon says is a great way to help children develop body awareness, improve ability to follow directions, and sequencing skills. These skills are important to attain for success in school and at home.

You will need:

• PDF ABC movement

The Activity:

ABC Move and Groove is a great way to get your little ones moving! In this activity, each letter corresponds to a specific action. Children are asked to complete movement activities that spell out the name of your pet!

Goals:

Movement activities help children prepare their bodies and minds for learning. With these exercises, we can also improve bilateral coordination, motor planning, balance and crossing the midline of our bodies.

You will need:

• No tools are needed for this activity. You can sit on the floor, on a mat or in a chair. Just make sure you’re in a quiet place.

The Activity:

Mindfulness teaches us to be present in the moment – not thinking of the past or future. In this activity, children will learn how to be present in the moment by learning to quiet their minds and body. In this activity, we will practice deep breaths while breathing out colors of the rainbow. Once your child completes the activity, he/she can add a sticker or checkmark to their reward chart!

Goals:

This can help children visualize a way to breath and bring mindfulness to the present moment. This can Improve attention and self-regulation.

You will need:

• Whole Body Listening Chart PDF

The Activity:

Children are introduced to the concept of using very part of their bodies not just our ears to show someone that we are listening to them. We then focus on the way we use our EYES to show that we are listening.

Goals:

Teaching children whole body listening provides them with a concrete understanding as to what are our expectations when we ask them to be good listeners in class. They understand that we don’t just use our ears to show someone that we are in fact listening to them.

You will need:

• Whole Body Listening Chart PDF

The Activity:

Children are introduced to the concept of using very part of their bodies not just our ears to show someone that we are listening to them. We then focus on the way we use our EYES to show that we are listening.

Goals:

Teaching children whole body listening provides them with a concrete understanding as to what are our expectations when we ask them to be good listeners in class. They understand that we don’t just use our ears to show someone that we are in fact listening to them.

You will need:

• Outdoor PDF

• Spray bottle (you can make one that looks like a fire extinguisher)

The Activity:

You are a firefighter! Grab your spray bottle as well as your PDF and go on a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. Every time you find something from your list, spray it with water!

Goals:

Scavenger hunts are a great way to work on visual perceptual skills. By adding the spray bottle to this activity, children will work on hand strength!

You will need:

• PDF dog paws

The Activity:

Mindfulness teaches us to be present in the moment – not thinking of the past or future. In this activity, children will learn how to be present in the moment by learning to quiet their minds and body. We will practice breathing while sliding our finger along the paw.

Goals:

This can help children visualize a way to breath and bring mindfulness to the present moment. This can Improve attention and self-regulation.

You will need:

• Whole Body Listening Chart PDF

The Activity:

Children are introduced to the concept of using very part of their bodies not just our ears to show someone that we are listening to them. We then focus on the way we use our EYES to show that we are listening.

Goals:

Teaching children whole body listening provides them with a concrete understanding as to what are our expectations when we ask them to be good listeners in class. They understand that we don’t just use our ears to show someone that we are in fact listening to them.

You will need:

No tools are needed for this activity. You can sit on the floor, on a mat or in a chair. Just make sure you’re in a quiet place.

The Activity:

Mindfulness teaches us to be present in the moment – not thinking of the past or future. In this activity, children will learn how to be present in the moment by learning to quiet their minds and body. In this activity, children will tune in to sounds of nature and imagine what a bear must be thinking after waking up from hibernation. Once your child completes the activity, he/she can add a sticker or checkmark to their reward chart!

Goals:

Research shows that mindfulness can improve behavior and the well-being of our children. Mindfulness teaches self-control, can lower anxiety and stress, improve emotional regulation, and even boost self-esteem.