My goal is to provide tips to share with families and staff, throughout the year. This edition explains what brain breaks are as well as provides resources to help support student success. Based on my Act 89 Administrator Survey, Brain Breaks was a topic that you wanted to learn more about.

Why the Brain Break Strategy Works...

Students who learn and think differently sometimes get tired easily, have a low tolerance for frustration, or have trouble figuring out how to approach their work. Switching up what they’re doing for a few minutes can help break those patterns. Research shows that brain breaks can serve that purpose and help refresh the mind.

For many students, movement is an ideal brain break. That’s because exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps with focus and attention. In fact, research has shown that students learn more quickly after they’ve exercised. In one study, students learned vocabulary words 20 percent faster after exercising. Exercise also reduces stress and anxiety, making it easier to focus on important tasks.

Relaxing brain breaks have similar benefits. They help calm students and allow their minds to settle enough to shift focus. For students who get overexcited or who have a hard time self-regulating, relaxing brain breaks may be more beneficial than energizing ones. After these quieter breaks, students are able to return to work because they’ve given the overworked areas of the brain time to recharge.

Brain breaks benefit not only students but teachers, too. They help improve the pacing of your lesson while keeping you and your students refreshed, focused, and engaged.

- This is an excerpt from the above article

100% of the votes was to learn more about behavior supports. Did you know MIU IV has an Act 89 Behavior Coach who can help support you in addition to me? Want to learn more? Watch Act 89 Behavior Coach, Amanda Hoban's video and access her SMORE!

Consultation Services: What is Consultation?

A meeting to discuss concerns or ideas to help develop strategies to support students and staff, such as classroom management strategies, intervention, provide resources, behavior suggestions, and academic supports.

Interpretation of School District Evaluations

Being an active member in meetings when a student’s school district of residence IDEA evaluation is being discussed. Support to parents and nonpublic schools with interpretation of findings

Professional Development

Provide professional development to support staff and parents on topics such as mental health, self-advocacy, educational disabilities, etc.

Sarah Tonty

sarah.tonty@miu4.org

Act 89 School Psychologist

Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV

453 Maple Street

Grove City, PA 16127

724.458.6700 ext. 1325