Early Childhood Association (ECA) is a registered Non-Profit organization established in April 2011. ECA is headquartered in Mumbai, with operational centres all across the country, comprising over 10,000 active members with a vision to bring about a change in the quality of Early Childhood Education & Care.
My topic is KISS YOUR BRAIN, which is exciting because you know how I love to sing and dance and cheer and move and PLAY! Children's brains all over the world need the same things they have always needed - LOVE, PLAY, FUN, MOVEMENT!
I know that many of you are struggling with teaching online and keeping the children engaged and interested. I hope the brain breaks (aka movement activities) I'll be sharing on my blog this coming week will help your children focus and give them a positive outlet for energy and wiggles.
Note! Please take these and get a BA and a BS. (Borrow and Adapt and Borrow and Steal)
TIPS FOR TERRIFICT BRAIN BREAKS!
*The teacher adds the magic. You need to model these brain breaks and use them as an opportunity to smile and have fun with your students.
*Moving with a purpose. Explain to your students, parents, and administrators the importance of these brain breaks. Yes, we are having fun, but we are also exercising children’s brains and bodies.
*Introduce one brain break at a time and practice it for several days. Each class is different, so if your students like it keep on doing it. If they don’t like it move on to another one.
*Write titles of brain breaks your students enjoy on sentence strips and tape to a wall. Once you have introduced 5-10 you can let a student helper choose a brain break and lead the class.
*It’s all good! It doesn’t matter of your students do the movements perfectly or not. As long as they are watching you and trying to mimic your movements you know their brains are working.
*Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work the first time. According to research, it takes 7-25 times for muscle memory to master a task. Try, try, and try again. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will see some improvement.
*These activities have an additional benefit by reducing stress – in adults and children! Instead of getting upset – take a brain break!
Wakey! Wakey!
Wake up children’s brains with exercise and a song. They’ll be able to focus better when they release their wiggles and have a positive attitude.
Turn on Your Brain
Help children focus and get ready to learn by turning on their brains each morning:
Turn on the right side of your brain. (Pretend to turn on right side.)
Turn on the left side. (Pretend to turn on left side.)
Turn on your right eye. (Pretend to turn on right eye.)
Turn on your left eye. (Pretend to turn on left eye.)
Turn on your right ear. (Pretend to turn on right ear.)
Turn on your left ear. (Pretend to turn on left ear.)
You don’t need to turn on your mouth because it’s always “on.”
Now you’re ready to learn!
Class Rock
Activating the extremities (hands and feet) sends blood to the brain and wakes up the body.
Stand in a circle and begin doing this beat as you stomp your foot two times and then clap two times: stomp, stomp, clap - stomp, stomp, clap
Insert each child’s name in the chant below as you go around the circle.
We think first child’s name is super. Super!
We think second child’s name is super. Super!
We think….
Adaptations: Insert other positive adjectives, such as awesome, incredible, talented, kind, etc.
Rise and Shine
https://bit.ly/drjeanRiseShine
Time to Get Up
https://bit.ly/drjeanTimeToGetUp
Morning Stretch
http://bit.ly/drjeanStretch
Feeling Fine
https://bit.ly/drjeanFine
Note! Please take these and get a BA and a BS. (Borrow and Adapt and Borrow and Steal)
TIPS FOR TERRIFICT BRAIN BREAKS!
*The teacher adds the magic. You need to model these brain breaks and use them as an opportunity to smile and have fun with your students.
*Moving with a purpose. Explain to your students, parents, and administrators the importance of these brain breaks. Yes, we are having fun, but we are also exercising children’s brains and bodies.
*Introduce one brain break at a time and practice it for several days. Each class is different, so if your students like it keep on doing it. If they don’t like it move on to another one.
*Write titles of brain breaks your students enjoy on sentence strips and tape to a wall. Once you have introduced 5-10 you can let a student helper choose a brain break and lead the class.
*It’s all good! It doesn’t matter of your students do the movements perfectly or not. As long as they are watching you and trying to mimic your movements you know their brains are working.
*Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work the first time. According to research, it takes 7-25 times for muscle memory to master a task. Try, try, and try again. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will see some improvement.
*These activities have an additional benefit by reducing stress – in adults and children! Instead of getting upset – take a brain break!
Wakey! Wakey!
Wake up children’s brains with exercise and a song. They’ll be able to focus better when they release their wiggles and have a positive attitude.
Turn on Your Brain
Help children focus and get ready to learn by turning on their brains each morning:
Turn on the right side of your brain. (Pretend to turn on right side.)
Turn on the left side. (Pretend to turn on left side.)
Turn on your right eye. (Pretend to turn on right eye.)
Turn on your left eye. (Pretend to turn on left eye.)
Turn on your right ear. (Pretend to turn on right ear.)
Turn on your left ear. (Pretend to turn on left ear.)
You don’t need to turn on your mouth because it’s always “on.”
Now you’re ready to learn!
Class Rock
Activating the extremities (hands and feet) sends blood to the brain and wakes up the body.
Stand in a circle and begin doing this beat as you stomp your foot two times and then clap two times: stomp, stomp, clap - stomp, stomp, clap
Insert each child’s name in the chant below as you go around the circle.
We think first child’s name is super. Super!
We think second child’s name is super. Super!
We think….
Adaptations: Insert other positive adjectives, such as awesome, incredible, talented, kind, etc.
Rise and Shine
https://bit.ly/drjeanRiseShine
Time to Get Up
https://bit.ly/drjeanTimeToGetUp
Morning Stretch
http://bit.ly/drjeanStretch
Feeling Fine
https://bit.ly/drjeanFine
