Keeping little ones engaged throughout the school day can be a challenge, but one thing I’ve found that has saved my sanity is integrating movement into our daily routine. Movement helps students burn off energy, refocus, and stay engaged with what they’re learning. Here are my top 5 ways to incorporate more movement into your classroom:
1. Incorporate Simple Exercises Between Lessons
A quick burst of movement between lessons can do wonders for resetting student focus. Seriously, almost every 10-15 minutes we are up and moving, exercising or dancing our wiggles out, before continuing our work!
2. Use Movement-Based Games to Teach Concepts
Turn your lessons into movement-based games! Whether it’s hopping from one letter to another in a literacy lesson or jumping to the correct number during a math activity, physical involvement in the learning process helps students retain information better. Plus, they love it! (It does get a bit loud though, so I really like doing this outside! All you need is sidewalk chalk and a hard top!)
3. Create Stations That Involve Physical Activity
Set up activity stations around your classroom that involve movement. For example, students can rotate between tasks like rolling dice and hopping that number of times, or building a pattern with blocks at another station. This keeps them engaged and gives them the chance to move while learning.
4. Integrate Yoga or Stretching Routines
Incorporating yoga or simple stretching routines into your daily schedule can be a great way to bring calm and focus into your classroom. It helps students unwind, increases their body awareness, and can improve their attention spans. I am ALWAYS doing this after recess and gym to bring the energy down a notch!
5. Go for Walks or Have Outdoor Lessons
When the weather allows, I enjoy holding an outdoor lesson. A change of environment can be a huge mood booster for everyone. Plus, there’s no better way to keep kids moving than exploring the world around them!
Have You Tried Integrating Movement Into Your Lessons?
Have you tried incorporating movement into your classroom routine? What strategies have worked for you? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences—feel free to share them below! Let’s inspire each other to keep our students moving and engaged! 👇
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