Title

Brain Breaks: Strategies to Help Kids Destress and Manage Emotions

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Dr. Gwen's Counselor Cafe

First Presenter’s Email Address

drgwen@drgwenscounselorcafe.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Gwendolyn Martin is the CEO of Coastal Crossroads Counseling Solutions and Dr. Gwen's Counselor Cafe. She is a licensed professional counselor, author, and former special education teacher (behavioral/emotional impairments). Dr. Martin has dedicated her career to working with some of the most vulnerable, challenging, and high-needs populations. Her scholarly work has included action research, with areas of interest in improved school performance, distributed leadership, and advocating for children with mental health and disability concerns. She has served in several professional capacities over the past 25 years to champion her work.

Location

Session Two Breakouts (Scarbrough 4)

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD, anxiety, behavioral problems, and depression are among children's most commonly diagnosed mental disorders. This proposal relates directly to the Social & Emotional Skills strand because it empowers kids with strategies to destress, effectively communicate their needs, and manage their emotions. The proposal also relates to the mental and physical health strand, grounded in preventive and intervention strategies to promote overall health and well-being.

Brief Program Description

Do you routinely take brain breaks throughout the day to reenergize and recharge your brain? Teaching children to take brain breaks that provide opportunities for physical activity, collaboration, mindfulness, and sensory activities helps them concentrate, minimize disruptive behavior, and reduce anxiety. Brain Breaks can help improve your stress level too!

Summary

Most children struggle with managing their emotions from time to time. However, children with mental health concerns who learn and think differently may struggle more often — multiple times daily. They may find simple tasks such as transitions, staying on task, unexpected changes in routine, and completing class assignments and homework extremely challenging.

Teaching children to take short brain breaks throughout the day can have real benefits and can help during times of stress and struggle. Brain breaks have been proven to increase energy and reduce stress, anxiety, and frustration. They also help kids with focus and attention problems be more productive by learning to self-regulate and control their emotions. So let's teach children how to press reset in the middle of the day and keep that blood and oxygen flowing to the brain.

This session will begin by explaining what brain breaks are and the benefits of making them an integral part of kids' daily routines. Strategies, including physical, sensory, mental, quiet brain breaks, and more, will be provided to help manage emotions and improve productivity at school and home. Dr. Gwen will include interactive activities in the presentation.

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, at least one in five youth aged 9–17 years currently has a diagnosable mental health disorder that causes some degree of impairment, and one in ten has a condition that causes significant impairment. Therefore, now is an opportune time to proactively arm kids with brain break strategies to improve daily functioning and quality of life.

Evidence

Several research studies have found that brain breaks keep our brains healthy and play an integral part in cognitive abilities such as reading comprehension and divergent thinking. For example, in 2016, psychologist Karrie Godwin and a team of researchers discovered that it’s more effective to give several 10-minute lessons instead of fewer 30-minute ones to minimize distraction and maintain focus and attention. In addition, the American Psychological Association recommends frequent breaks to reduce stress and the chances of heart disease and depression. The presenter will also present personal case studies to highlight how taking brain breaks decreases student behavior and increases productivity and achievement.

Learning Objective 1

increase knowledge and understanding of the importance of brain breaks.

Learning Objective 2

identify ways to take brain breaks.

Learning Objective 3

incorporate brain break activities into their daily routine.

Keyword Descriptors

brain breaks, prevention strategies, social development, mindfulness, intervention, empowerment, self-monitoring, mental health

Presentation Year

2023

Start Date

3-6-2023 1:00 PM

End Date

3-6-2023 2:15 PM

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COinS
 
Mar 6th, 1:00 PM Mar 6th, 2:15 PM

Brain Breaks: Strategies to Help Kids Destress and Manage Emotions

Session Two Breakouts (Scarbrough 4)

Do you routinely take brain breaks throughout the day to reenergize and recharge your brain? Teaching children to take brain breaks that provide opportunities for physical activity, collaboration, mindfulness, and sensory activities helps them concentrate, minimize disruptive behavior, and reduce anxiety. Brain Breaks can help improve your stress level too!