The Benefits of Distraction!
The Benefits of Distraction!
Traditionally, we have always been told to go study in a private room or a quiet place with minimal to no distraction. But what if I told you that distraction was actually a good thing! Think back to a time when you were working on something and everything was going okay.. until it wasn’t. This is called preparation. Preparation is the period where you’re working until you get stuck. I don’t mean when you are just bored of working on something or annoyed because it is taking a long time. I mean like, really stuck!
When you get to this point, it is actually best to step away from whatever it is you might be working on and take a break. Distract yourself! Go make some dinner or play a game of cornhole, maybe even watch an episode of TV.. just occupy your brain with something else. It is important to do this because your brain reaches a point where it literally cannot handle much more. Your processing system essentially becomes overloaded.
How Can We Integrate This Into The Classroom?
If you are teaching a long lesson to your students, no matter how ‘fun’ the lesson may be, they are bound to get bored of the topic at some point. A great way to boost your students full of energy and excitement again is to do an energizer! Energizers are brief physical activities that get your students up and moving to engage them in physical activity, cognitive skills, ‘brain breaks’, and just plain old laughter and fun!
One great energizer that I love to play with the children I coach is called ‘Look Up, Look Down’. This is when you get everyone to stand in a big circle facing each other. Each child starts with their head facing down towards their toes. The teacher will then say, “Look Up” and everyone will raise their heads. Each child has to look at someone, and if the person they looked at is also looking at them - they made eye contact - then they are both out. The game repeats itself until one person is left standing. This works with everyone, not just children!
After you have distracted yourself, or your students, go back to the work and you should reach something we call Illumination. Illumination is the Ah-Ha Moment! From here, you should be able to continue working on your problem. And well, if you reach another ‘roadblock’ take another break.. distract yourself!
Want Some Fun Energizer Ides?!
Look Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az_DuE--0FI
https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/quick-lively-energizers/
I love the links you provided to implement energizers in our classroom. I especially appreciate the example energizer (Look up) you provided...it sounds like a lot of fun. Not only does it sound fun, it is helpful too! I teach 100% remotely, do you have any suggestions for remote energizers?
ReplyDeleteI love the positive voice that your post holds it creates a piece that makes me feel like I am not alone when I run into a "really stuck" moment. I like that you gave suggestions for what we can do when we need a distraction. I am wondering how long this distraction should be?
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas. I enjoy putting on some calm music or white noise while I work to promote productivity when I do homework and even when I'm in a classroom with students. I understand this might not work for everyone, but I find it's much easier to focus when you're hearing that music instead of distractions like an air conditioner or doors slamming down the hall.
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