Adding Movement to your Classroom Every Day

Why is it important to use movement in the classroom? And how can you encourage movement in the classroom without missing out on valuable instruction time?

Why You Should Use Movement Breaks in the Classroom

Using movement in the classroom, both within your subject content and as a complete brain break, should be a regular part of your day. Not only is it beneficial for your students, but it is necessary for you as the teacher! Due to the large amount of curriculum and assessment time that is required, it may seem impossible to fit in movement breaks. However, often times you can incorporate movement activities that are related to/incorporate your content.

Adding purposeful movement in your classroom every day helps build a positive classroom culture. It’s more than just getting up to sharpen a pencil or walking to Art class. Taking a movement break energizes students for more learning.

How Do YOU Encourage Movement in the Classroom?

Join in! I use GoNoodle videos every morning after the Pledge of Allegiance. And yes, I joined in the silly motions too! GoNoodle is a free, online resource that provides 100s of short interactive movement videos.

Another great resource online is UNICEF Kid Power. Every 10 movement videos completed earns 1 packet of lifesaving nutrition for a malnourished child, called a Ready to Use Therapeutic Food Packet. UNICEF states, “A structured daily routine of movement and activity is the best way to address a child’s need over health and well being!

My tips for success with movement videos

1. Set Ground Rules: Each child must stay within their own personal space to keep others and themselves safe. I demonstrate this by stretching both my arms out and spinning in a circle. As long as I wasn’t hitting any one I had enough space!
2. Lead By Example: By participating in the activity, you as the teacher promote laughter and a sense of being a teammate. I’ve been known to bust out some classic dance moves like the Sprinkler and the Twist. Let students see you enjoying the movement. This is especially important in older grade when students may be reluctant to let their sillies out.
3. Be Mindful of Students’ Abilities and Comfort Levels: Not every students want to perform in front of their classmates! You may want to give students to the count of 10 to quietly find a place in the room, whether that be up front or in the back. Of course you also need to be thoughtful with physical challenges as well that may require students to participate in a different way.

Adding Movement just for Movement’s Sake

Movement Videos: GoNoodle and UNICEF Kid Power are wonderful resources for this. Of course there are many YouTube channels dedicated to movement videos, just make sure to watch them for appropriateness before showing to your class.

Game Time: Play a classic game like Red Light Green Light, Simon Says or Follow the Leader. These games require no set up, no materials and can often be completed in a matter of minutes. Have student balance a workbook on their head and walk down the hallway and back.

Brain Break Cards: Print and laminate these 40 Brain Break Cards for durability and grab one whenever you have a moment. I loved to use these during transition times and whenever students seemed extra ‘wiggly’. ⬇️Free 7 day set available by clicking the image below. ⬇️

Exploring the Movement and Learning Connection

“In 2005, a study by Hannaford found through brain scans that children learn best when they are active because movement causes neurons in the brain to better take in information (Stevens-Smith, 2016; Hannaford, 2005). Researchers have found that the brain uses the same connections to move as it does to process reading, writing, and math (Stevens-Smith, 2016; Hannaford, 2005).” Excerpt from a study by Northwestern College, Iowa.

From an article on EdWeek.com “Daily activity also helps boost balance, motor function, brain function, and cognition. According to a growing body of research, movement increases blood and oxygen flow, which positively affects cognitive development, physical health, and mental well-being.”

Why is it important to incorporate movement in the classroom?

Recess is great, but it is simply not enough. The majority of a child’s day is spent in the classroom with their primary teacher. This puts YOU, the teacher, in the driver’s seat to determine the amount of physical activity that occurs throughout their school day. Students are naturally active, use that to your advantage instead of trying to keep them still in their desks for hours up upon end.

How can you bring movement in To the classroom?

1. Start simple. Have students get up to turn in their classwork rather than passing it to the front of the class.  Let each student get up to pick up materials instead of only 1 child passing them out. Practice these routines until students can do them effectively and without the classroom turning into a circus
2. Get Outside. Is it a beautiful day? Put that math worksheet on a clipboard and head outdoors. Give students a moment or two to find their comfortable spot. By incorporating movement in the daily classroom routine, children will develop physically and cognitively, staying healthy and fit, and showing reduced signs of stress and anxiety.
3. Let Students Pick Their Spot: Let students choose where to sit in the classroom. From my experience, some students will lay under their desk upside and backwards, some will want to sit near the teacher’s desk, and other will simply stay put in their chair! You don’t need fancy equipment to let students choose their spot in the classroom (although wobble chairs and small couches, and the like are gaining in popularity). Some students just want to stand by their desks instead of sitting down. Why not let them?

Movement Ideas Related to Subject Content

Walk and Talk: Students need to discuss a book chapter or study for a test? How about heading out to the P.E. track and talk while they walk? Yes, it may be harder to monitor this way, but if you walk with them you will not only get a dose of movement yourself but will connect to your students in a powerful way that is completely different from standing in front of them at a white board.

Scavenger Hunts: One of my most favorite ways to get students up and moving, and it works for every subject! Simply print out task cards with subject content questions and hang them up around the room. Students put an answer sheet on a clipboard and get to work finding the question cards and answering. Click HERE to see my favorite Scavenger Hunts for every subject.

Skits: Vocabulary skits, History skits, Science skits oh my! Let students act out what they know in small groups with their bodies and watch their comprehension soar. Click HERE for my favorite skits for multiple subjects.

Looking for even more ready to implement ideas to incorporate movement in your classroom? Check out this article from Edutopia for even more Movement in the Classroom ideas