Kids need to move! The vestibular system is the sensory system that processes and controls movement. The “control panel” that helps kids understand balance, posture, a sense of upright positioning, and alertness in response to movement is located in the inner ear. Guess how this system is activated? BY MOVEMENT, of course!
Just like adults, kids start fading when their bodies have to remain still and quiet for extended periods of time. How do you stay alert when you have to sit at a meeting or listen at a conference for long periods of time? At first, we are engaged, but as we sit still for awhile, it’s natural for our attention to start to fade.
In order to maintain focus, we may shift in our seats, cross and uncross our arms, cross our legs or ankles, stretch our backs or roll our necks. Even these slight movements help trigger the vestibular system, giving us feedback about posture and alertness and helping us reenergize and refocus.
So imagine if we gave kids more frequent opportunities to get up and move throughout the school day. They might be able to attend to their teachers for longer periods of time. They may demonstrate calmer, more appropriate behavior in the classroom. And they may participate more and be more engaged in their learning – showing their teachers what they know! For some kids, this could make all the difference!
Movement Breaks to Help Kids Stay Focused
Take a stretch break
Stand up and stretch! Reach those arms up high, turn upside down to touch your toes, reach one arm up and over and then switch arms!
Hallway Waiting Games
This pack of printable hallway waiting games is one of our most popular resources and the perfect way to promote movement during waiting times throughout the day.
Get a drink or have a sensory snack!
Take a walk to the drinking fountain for a cool drink. A little movement combined with an alerting oral sensory experience may be just enough to get kids’ focus back after sitting for a long period of time. Check out these sensory snacks too!
Try an exercise ball
Let kids take a moment to bounce on an exercise ball…roll, shift, bounce, lay on their stomachs.
Use a Yoga Deck
Keep a kids yoga deck in the classroom. Every so often allow a student to draw a card and have the whole class try out the pose together!
Think ahead!
Write questions related to the lesson on index cards and hide them under kids’ chairs ahead of time so they have to get up and find them throughout the lesson.
Who’s Missing?
Take a break to play a few rounds of this fun game! Click here to learn how to play!
Stand for 5!
Call out “Stand for five!” – letting kids know that they must work standing up for five minutes.
Change positions
Provide lots of opportunities for students to work in alternate positions such as lying on the floor, in bean bag chairs, leaning up against the wall. Check out our post about Functional Posture for Kids in the Classroom for other ideas about seating and to learn more about why kids may be struggling with this skill.
Sensory Motor Scavenger Hunt
If you can spare a few minutes during the day, try this fun free printable scavenger hunt! You could even break it up and try to find one item on the list at each movement break!
Mirror Mirror
In this fun cooperative game, kids have to imitate each other’s movements. Assign one person to be the leader and have everyone in the class follow along!
Crazy Legs
Try our Crazy Legs Movement Game to get kids up and moving during prolonged periods of sitting in the classroom or during hallway transitions!
Hot Potato
Pass a ball up and down the rows of desks with some music for a fun game of Hot Potato.
Grab a Balloon!
These easy balloon games for kids are perfect for movement breaks during learning activities!
Squishy Ball Listening Game
Looking for a fun and super simple listening game that targets body awareness and sequencing? This is the activity for you!
Hand Clapping Games
If you’re looking for fun games for groups of kids, nothing beats good old-fashioned hand clapping games! Check out the free printable!
Shake breaks/dance breaks
Take “shake” breaks or dance breaks. Turn on the music! Here are three great examples:
[…] out this link for more movement break ideas and help keep your kids […]