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Have Students Prepare for Study Breaks

Tags

Study Skills & Tools Social-Emotional Learning ^Extra-curricular/At-Home All Ages Strategy

Skills

Self-regulation Organization Working Memory Attention

Have Students Prepare for Study Breaks

If your student has difficulty sitting down to do homework but needs regular breaks

How To Apply It!

  1. Parents might not want you to take breaks, because they are concerned that you might not get back to work efficiently, so it is important to show them that you get back to work effectively after the study break is over.
  2. Study breaks are essential to help you recharge and maximize your attention during work. Start with a clear idea of how long you can work before needing a break. Typically 20-30 minutes for students with weaker attention and up to an hour for students with good attention.
  3. Have a clear agreement on how long the break will be. Ten minutes is a good rule of thumb.
  4. Before you get up, know what you will be do AFTER you return from the break and prepare your materials. For example, open up the textbook to the reading that you will do next. Set out the graph paper and pencil for your math homework. You will find it much easier to jump back into your work if it's waiting for you when you sit down.
  5. Set a timer for the agreed upon length of the break, and stick firmly to the return back to work.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Study breaks are important for all learners, but they are essential for students with weaker attention. Unfortunately, these are most often the students that are denied breaks because they are either running behind or adults are concerned about getting the student back on task post break. Having a clear strategy to ensure the student will be back on task post break can be an effective solution.