lenny

Why Do Sensory Breaks Matter for Adult Learners?

Lesson Plan

Sensory Science Simplified

Educators will understand the neurological basis and practical benefits of sensory breaks for adult learners with special needs, and be able to integrate these strategies into their teaching practices.

Understanding the science behind sensory regulation empowers educators to create more inclusive and effective learning environments, leading to improved engagement and outcomes for adult learners with special needs.

Audience

Educators of Adult Learners with Special Needs

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive exploration of neuroscience and practical application.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: The Learning Landscape (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a hook: "Think about a time you felt overwhelmed or couldn't focus. What helped you get back on track?"
    - Introduce the lesson title: "Why Do Sensory Breaks Matter for Adult Learners?" and briefly outline the objective.
    - Emphasize the relevance to creating supportive learning environments.

Step 2

Exploring the Brain on Break (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Present the Brains on Break Presentation.
    - Focus on key neurological concepts (e.g., sensory processing, executive function, fight/flight/freeze response) and how they relate to learning and sensory overload.
    - Encourage questions and provide simple, relatable examples.

Step 3

Deep Dive: The Neuroscience Behind It (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute and have participants quickly read key sections of The Neuroscience of Regulation Article.
    - Facilitate a brief Q&A session to clarify concepts from the article and connect them to the presentation.

Step 4

Debating the Benefits (20 minutes)

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Break Time Benefits Debate activity.
    - Divide participants into small groups and assign roles or viewpoints (e.g., advocate for scheduled breaks, advocate for on-demand breaks, advocate for specific types of breaks).
    - Guide groups to discuss the practical benefits and challenges of implementing sensory breaks for adult learners with special needs, drawing on the presented information.
    - Have groups share their key points with the larger class.

Step 5

Application and Conclusion (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Lead a whole-group discussion on practical strategies for integrating sensory breaks into their specific learning environments.
    - Brainstorm various types of sensory breaks (e.g., movement, deep pressure, visual, auditory breaks).
    - Summarize the key takeaways about the importance and benefits of sensory breaks.
    - Encourage participants to commit to trying at least one new strategy in their practice.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Brains on Break: The Why Behind Sensory Breaks

Understanding the Power of Pause

  • What are sensory breaks?
  • Why are they crucial for adult learners with special needs?
  • Exploring the science to inform our practice.

Welcome educators! Start by asking: "What comes to mind when you hear 'sensory break'?" Briefly introduce today's topic.

Our Senses, Our Brains, Our Learning

The Foundation: Sensory Processing

  • Sensory Input: Information from our environment (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement, body awareness).
  • Sensory Processing: How our brain organizes and interprets this input.
  • Sensory Overload: When the brain receives too much input, leading to overwhelm, anxiety, or shut-down.

Explain that our brains are constantly processing information from our senses. When there's too much, or the processing is inefficient, it can lead to overwhelm. Use simple analogies like a busy highway or a computer with too many tabs open.

When the Brain Overheats: Impact on Learning

The Connection to Executive Functions

  • Executive Functions: Planning, attention, memory, self-regulation.
  • Sensory Overload & Executive Functions: Overload can make it hard to focus, remember, and manage emotions.
  • Fight, Flight, Freeze: The body's automatic response to stress, hindering learning readiness.

Introduce the concept of executive functions and their role in learning. Highlight how sensory overload impairs these functions. Mention the 'fight, flight, or freeze' response as an automatic reaction to perceived threats, including sensory ones.

Sensory Breaks: More Than Just a Pause

What Are We Talking About?

  • Purposeful Activities: Designed to provide or reduce sensory input.
  • Goal: To help the nervous system return to a regulated state.
  • Examples:
    • Movement: Stretching, walking, chair push-ups.
    • Deep Pressure: Weighted blankets, firm hugs, squeezing stress balls.
    • Visual: Reducing bright lights, looking at calming images.
    • Auditory: Noise-canceling headphones, calming music, quiet space.

Define sensory breaks simply: purposeful activities to help regulate the nervous system. Emphasize that breaks are not just 'time off' but a strategic intervention. Provide examples across different sensory systems.

The Payoff: Benefits for Adult Learners

Why They Work:

  • Improved Focus & Attention: A regulated brain can concentrate better.
  • Reduced Anxiety & Stress: Sensory input helps calm the nervous system.
  • Enhanced Self-Regulation: Learners develop tools to manage their own sensory needs.
  • Increased Engagement: When learners feel comfortable, they are more likely to participate.
  • Better Learning Outcomes: A calm, focused brain is a brain ready to learn!

Connect the benefits back to the challenges faced by adult learners with special needs. Highlight how improved regulation leads to better learning outcomes.

Empowering Learners Through Breaks

Your Role as an Educator

  • Observe: Recognize signs of sensory overload or underload.
  • Offer: Provide opportunities and options for sensory breaks.
  • Customize: Understand individual sensory preferences.
  • Educate: Help learners understand their own sensory needs.

Sensory breaks are an investment in effective learning!

Conclude by reiterating the educator's role in recognizing signs of dysregulation and proactively offering or encouraging sensory breaks. Emphasize tailoring breaks to individual needs.

lenny

Discussion

Break Time Benefits Debate

Objective: To explore the practical benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies of sensory breaks for adult learners with special needs.

Instructions:

  1. Form Groups: Divide into small groups (3-4 participants per group).
  2. Assign Roles/Viewpoints: Each group will consider different perspectives on implementing sensory breaks.
  3. Discuss & Brainstorm (15 minutes): Within your group, discuss the following prompts, drawing upon the Brains on Break Presentation and The Neuroscience of Regulation Article:
    • What are the most significant benefits of integrating sensory breaks into learning environments for adult learners with special needs?
    • What are the potential challenges or barriers to implementing sensory breaks?
    • How might we overcome these challenges?
    • Should sensory breaks be scheduled, or offered on-demand? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
    • What specific types of sensory breaks do you think would be most effective for adult learners with diverse needs?
  4. Prepare to Share (5 minutes): As a group, synthesize your key arguments and be ready to share your main points with the larger group.

Debate Prompts/Considerations:

  • Perspective A: The Advocate for Structured Breaks

    • Argument: Scheduled breaks provide predictability, normalize the need for regulation, and ensure all learners get an opportunity to reset.
    • Considerations: How do structured breaks fit into varying schedules? How to ensure they are individualized enough?

  • Perspective B: The Champion of On-Demand Breaks

    • Argument: On-demand breaks empower learners to self-regulate when they feel the need, fostering autonomy and teaching self-awareness.
    • Considerations: How to manage disruptions? How to prevent overuse or underuse?

  • Perspective C: The Pragmatic Implementer

    • Argument: Focus on practical, low-resource strategies that can be easily integrated into any learning environment.
    • Considerations: What are the most versatile and accessible sensory break options? How to advocate for necessary resources?













Group Share-Out:

  • Each group will have 2-3 minutes to present their key insights and recommendations.
lenny
lenny