Many of you already know that I not only am a full time bilingual preschool teacher, I also homeschool my 5th grade daughter, Maya. When we are working on math equations; especially those pesky ones she needs to have memorized for the rest of her life, I tell her, “Just keep practicing!”
Behind my back I’m sure there’s some eye rolling. But with certain skills, like learning, a language, mastering an instrument, certain sports techniques, and math equations, practicing over and over….. and over, really does seem to be the best way to get it to stick!
Studies are showing however, that breaks throughout the learning process are just as crucial as the learning! Dr. Leonard Cohen, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Health, states that “during periods of rest is when our brains compress and consolidate memories of what we just practiced.”
In Elementary School it is recommended that concentrated study last for periods of no more than 10-15 minutes at a time before offering a break. Unfortunately none of the schools I’m aware of are actively following this protocol.
In my preschool, I have the schedule set up where we alternate active play with quieter focused times throughout the entire day. I’ve always found that after children are allowed to move and get their wiggles out, they are more likely to be able to sit for a period of time and stay focused and engaged.
The day starts with Center Choice. While this can be a time of high concentration because the centers are considered all learning experiences, it is also a time of high movement. There is no minimum or maximum limit a child can be present at each center, meaning a child can rotate around the room as much as he wishes during this time.
We clean up (high movement) and come to the circle rug for English Circle Time.
This is our time of highest focus and generally speaking, the calmest our bodies will be. But even so, we won’t be completely still and quiet because that isn’t age appropriate in the preschool years! We will have songs and stories and lessons and sharing. Puppets and experiments come out at this time. Letters, colors, and calendar facts are worked on during this time as well as whatever other theme we may be interested in at the time.
Immediately following the calmest part of the day, it fits to put in the most rambunctious part of the day which is of course: outdoor play. While I always have at least one activity planned for our outside time, the majority of our outdoor play is spent in free choice.
Once everyone has given it their all on the playground outside, we come inside for snack. A quick brain break to sit, relax our bodies, refuel, and the children chat about whatever comes to their minds.
Free choice is easily everyone’s favorite time as everything is labeled “open” meaning virtually nothing’s is off limits. There is plenty of movement here and loads of creativity.
To wrap up free choice the children clean up and there is a second circle time; this one being in Spanish.
Music and movement time always follows our second circle time. The day is winding down and I have just requested that the children give me focus for a second time. They absolutely need this time to move!
We end the day with some serious decompression time at sensory play. Whether it be kinetic sand, play dough, slime, or any other variety of sensory play, we are all sitting around a table with our hands deep in some material. Amazing conversations are developed as we are getting grounded again.
And in just 4 short hours, we have come full circle. The children have wiggled and sat, ran around and focused in, discovered, created, played, learned, had fun and made connections.
Make sure to give your brain a break! It works better that way!
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