Tips for Helping Kids Relax

The lessons in this unit teach kids that recharge is all about energy—and that your energy is a key influencer of healthy choices. You recharge your energy two ways:

1. Relax and do a quiet activity without screen time such as mindful activities, drawing, writing, reading, or doing puzzles. 
2. Sleep 9–12 hours each night to restore energy.*

*Following are the minimum and maximum hours of sleep for different age groups as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Ages 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)
• Ages 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)
• Ages 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)
• Age 6-12 years: 9-12 hours
• Age 13-18 years: 8-10 hours

Sometimes when we’ve been sitting for too long, we can get tired and groggy. Let’s think of some ways we can clear our minds and recharge for the rest of the day. Write your school or city's name on poster board or white board and create an acronym with ways to recharge without a screen throughout the day (e.g., Admire works of art, Balance on one foot, Create a collage, etc.). Compare your ideas with the suggestions on the recharge page of the ABCs of a Healthy Me Printable Poster Pack.

To use this with your students click here.

Consider the Best Way to Recharge Things

People are not the only ones who need to recharge their energy from time to time. Help your students match the object with the best refresh choice on the slideshow.

Brainstorming Relaxing Ways to Recharge

Explain that your body needs to relax for short periods of time to recharge throughout the day. Examples of ways to relax include quiet activities, such as stretching, reading, listening to music, drawing, and walking. Screen time is not relaxation. It stimulates brain activity rather than recharge the body.

Check for understanding: Take time to _ _ _ _ _ throughout the day to recharge your energy!

Make a Take-a-Break Basket

Students plan ways they will relax to refresh their energy by making a Take a Break Basket.

Students name things they can use for quiet time, such as: art supplies, writing materials, board games, playing cards, books, music, or puzzles. They may list or draw items, using the Take a Break Basket printable. 

Take the time each day to step back from the stress of a full day and relax. Recharge your body and mind, so you can be your best at school, with your friends, and at home.