Create a Classroom that Promotes Self-Regulation Through Movement
“Just move it!”
Make Your School Awesome Staff
October 4, 2021
As students return to the classroom for full-day instruction, one might notice that some of our littlest learners are struggling to sit still and get back into their in-person learning routines. Research suggests incorporating movement into daily classroom activities improves posture, core strength, brain function, and focus. Physical movement allows students to channel nervous energy into focused learning and productive classwork. There are many options for movement breaks that support self-regulation in the classroom that teachers can quickly implement or create themselves!
To successfully transition back to the traditional classroom environment, students need to feel confident and keep their stress levels down. Movement breaks and mini-physical activities can help students adjust to change and increase focus. Before implementing, teachers must model and demonstrate physical movement examples and assist children with various self-regulation/ coping strategies. Breathing techniques, sensory stations, and yoga stretches can allow students to reconnect and practice self-awareness. Be sure to post visual rules and expectations on how to utilize your movement stations and objects.
Below are our top picks for movement activities that can assist with self-regulation.
Doodle Desktop - Laminate a poster board and tape it to the desktop, instantly creating an erasable surface ready to withstand your BEST class doodler or aspiring artist!
Fidgets - These can be purchased at the local dollar store, with a variety of options: spinners, poppers, or even silly putty, anything to keep those young hands busy and fulfill the need for tactile learners! Make sure you create a container for these to be put away after use.
Yoga Balls - It's fun for students to sit on a giant ball instead of a chair; it also promotes balance and improves core strength and stability.
Desks/ Chairs with Foot Bands - Adding foot bands to the bottom of desks or chairs is an easy way to keep busy feet engaged and provide a place to rest for those who cannot reach the floor just yet. The bands can serve as a strengthening exercise for students, and they give just the right amount of silent movement they may need to assist with tension or frustration.
Under the Desk Pedals - Another way to keep those feet busy and help transform nervous energy into meaningful learning. Pedals are a great way to release hyperactivity and keep learners engaged. Who wouldn't want to pedal and learn at the same time?
Brain Breaks - Incorporate brain breaks throughout your daily lessons. Little ones have a short attention span; providing a brain break that allows students to get up and move their bodies activates the brain and enhances focus. There are tons of online resources, such as GoNoodle, which can be found on YouTube. Find the length and genre of music that works best for your students. Students can easily participate by pushing in their chairs and moving behind their desks.
Velcro - Add a piece of sticky Velcro to a students' desk so that they can keep their hands busy, similar to a fidget but affixed to the desk. Velcro helps stimulate the senses to maintain focus. Providing Velcro for a student is very individualized. Find out what area of the desk would work best for your student.
Flexible Workstations - This provides students with a variety of sitting options, bean bags, desks and chairs on wheels, desks that come apart and fit together. This promotes opportunities for small group activities and allows optimum flexibility and movement opportunities for your students.
Breathing Activities – When students feel frustrated and overwhelmed, breathing techniques can assist with student self-regulation. Create a breathing station or provide students with visual aids to help them review breathing exercises.
Yoga Station - Create a visual poster with five or fewer simple yet relaxing yoga poses. Students can complete the needed exercises at their desks or in an area specifically set aside for the activity. Incorporating yoga poses into brain breaks will help students alleviate unwanted stress and assist with self-regulation.
Standing Desks – These can be easily made using eight soup cans and some duct tape. Creating standing desks allow students a flexible option to be able to stand as needed. Such desks improve posture, promote circulation, and activates brain function. Many traditional school desks can easily be modified to the height of your student's needs.
Important teacher takeaways!
Create a tailored movement environment that works best for your students. Strategically place movement activities to best fit your students’ needs when they are most stressed. Develop a class design that allows flexible seating and always post clear rules and expectations for each station or object.
TEACH, SHARE, INSPIRE
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