10 brain-friendly exercises

Here are 10 brain-friendly exercises and methods that children and students can use to increase their concentration and study for exams with more enjoyment – inspired by practical approaches from teacher training:

1. Draw mind maps

Instead of stubbornly memorizing everything, students can represent topics as colorful mind maps . Visualizing with colors, images, and branching activates different brain areas, strengthens understanding, and makes repetition interesting.

2. Use varied learning environments

Your brain benefits from regularly changing your learning location—sometimes at your desk, sometimes standing, outside on a bench, or sitting on the floor. A change of environment improves memory performance and provides renewed motivation.

3. Short, focused learning units ( Pomodoro method )

The most effective way to stay focused is to study for 25 minutes at a time, followed by a 5-minute break. This rhythm protects against fatigue, gives the brain time to process information, and promotes more organized learning.

4. Use movement in a targeted manner

Exercise improves concentration sustainably: Doing jumping jacks or skipping rope a few minutes before studying increases blood circulation and makes the brain more receptive.

5. Recite poems, facts or vocabulary rhythmically

If you combine what you've learned with rhythm (for example, by singing, clapping, or stomping), you'll remember it better. Rhythmic repetition is fun, relaxing, and helps you ingrain the material more easily.

6. Link learning content with emotions

The brain remembers things better when they trigger emotions. Students can invent stories about dry facts or laugh or smile while learning—the conscious integration of emotions alone improves the absorption of what has been learned into memory.

7. Activate sensory channels

Don't just read, read aloud, make small sketches, or "create" things with your hands. Using multiple senses while learning will help you retain information longer and improve your learning success.

8. Short training breaks in between

Get up every 25–30 minutes, stretch, drink water, or get some fresh air. Breaks from training help restore focus and prevent a drop in performance.

9. Set clear goals and small tasks

Instead of "learning math," set small goals, such as "solving 5 fraction problems." Your brain will be more focused, and small successes will boost your motivation.

10. Learning should be fun

Games like quizzes, flashcards, or learning apps add variety to review. Playful learning activates the brain's reward system and helps reduce test anxiety.

Why do these methods work?

The brain loves variety, structure, emotions, and small challenges. Short breaks, multisensory learning, and movement ensure that learning content sticks more effectively. Playful learning increases motivation – knowledge sticks better, and exam stress decreases.

These simple, brain-friendly exercises are suitable for everyday use, require little equipment, and can be used by any child, teenager, or student. Those who integrate them into their daily learning routine will quickly notice: learning is fun, concentration improves—and you'll get good grades along the way!

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