The Magic of Brain Breaks in Education with Deb Lancashire
The school bell rings, signaling the end of a relentlessly long period. Students, from the youngest in elementary school to the seasoned veterans in high school, often find themselves mentally and physically exhausted by the demands of the modern classroom. However, Deb Lancashire, a veteran educator with years of experience, is championing a revolutionary concept that promises to transform education—brain breaks. Her insights into this concept were explored in-depth during her recent appearance on the Authors Who Lead podcast hosted by yours truly. We uncover why brain breaks are essential, how they work, and the broader implications for educators and students alike.
The Genesis of Brain Breaks
I began the interview by introducing Deb Lancashire’s impressive educational background, highlighting her numerous accolades and her transition from an idea to a published book titled “Brain Breaks.” I asked a pivotal question: Why write a book now?
Deb reflected on the origin of brain breaks and how it stemmed from her contemplation of what she wanted to leave behind as she approached the latter stages of her career. “I use brain breaks well, I should write about that,” she recalled thinking. For Deb, this practice was confirmed as valuable when students and colleagues began to show interest, which provided the affirmation needed to pursue a book project seriously.
The Science Behind Brain Breaks
So why do brain breaks work? Deb explains that focused attention is a scarce and valuable resource, especially in the middle school students she teaches. With their attention spans clocking in at around 18 to 24 minutes, traditional teaching methods often overstretch this limit, creating a mental environment ripe for distraction and ineffective learning.
“By giving them a brain break activity, we activate a different part of the brain,” Deb notes. This approach effectively shifts the focus and allows the brain’s working memory time to refresh. Specifically, activities that engage the cerebellum through balance and movement are particularly effective. This is not just conjecture. Deb highlights the physical benefits: flooding the brain with oxygen, essential for cognitive function, and hydrating with water boosts brain power by 30%. Given these compelling benefits, it’s clear that brain breaks don’t just restore focus—they optimize brain function.
Building a Brain Break Method
Deb’s book doesn’t just theorize brain breaks; it operationalizes them into an actionable system using the acronym BREAK, which stands for Build, Refocus, Energize, Activate, and Connect. Each of these components walks educators through a structured way to implement brain breaks in their classrooms, ensuring that every break is purposeful and beneficial.
Build: Building Knowledge
This section discusses the importance of constructing a solid cognitive foundation through structured activities. For instance, exercises involving memory recall or problem-solving tasks help solidify new information.
Refocus: Finding the Center Again
Refocusing doesn’t necessarily mean calming down every time but readjusting the cognitive load. Whether it’s calming exercises or energizing movements, this phase prepares the brain to take on the next set of learning tasks.
Energize: Boosting the Motivation
These activities aim to flood the brain with happy hormones. Quick, playful activities or brief social interactions can suffice to energize and uplift moods, making future tasks more appealing.
Activate: Growth Mindset
A critical element here is embracing challenges and learning from mistakes, promoting resilience among students who might be struggling.
Connect: Bridging the Gaps
Whether it’s connecting different parts of the brain or fostering relationships within the classroom, this element ensures holistic growth.
Broader Implications Beyond the Classroom
One of the remarkable takeaways from this episode was the versatility of brain breaks. Deb discusses how these breaks could be beneficial not just in classrooms – but also in personal and professional settings. Imagine a high-stress corporate environment incorporating brain breaks—productivity could skyrocket! Already, Deb’s book is garnering interest from various sectors, suggesting this concept’s universality.
A Call to Action for Educators and Beyond
The power of brain breaks extends far beyond just a clever classroom technique. It’s a tool for mental and emotional well-being applicable to all ages and across various professions. As Deb Lancashire continues to share her findings and insights through conferences and potentially future books, one thing is clear: The way we think about learning—and teaching—could forever be changed.
Implementing brain breaks might seem like a small change, but as evidenced by Deb Lancaster’s experiences and research, it’s a significant step toward more effective and meaningful education. So, educators, the challenge is open: Try out brain breaks and witness the transformation in your classroom, or perhaps even in your life.
Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.
That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start. Don’t delay—take action.
Episode Resources
Connect with Deb here:
Facebook
BrainBreakAcademy.com
Get a copy of Deb’s book here:
Brain Breaks
