1. Maximize Natural Movement Opportunities

Think about the natural opportunities for movement that already exist in your classroom.  There are likely more than you realize!  Can the students help gather their own materials and put them away?  Can the students help with classroom jobs, such as wiping off the dry erase board or picking up the mail from the office?  Do students transition from center to center, or do the adults travel to the students?   These routines may be in place for a reason, but if there is any opportunity to switch things up a bit to allow the students to move around a little more, it could be helpful to consider. 

You can also utilize transitions in your day as a way to incorporate movement, such as having the students hop, skip, jump or animal walk from center to center.  I also like the idea of using the structure or materials in the room to facilitate movement during transitions, such as tape on the floor or a hopscotch rug.  You can use these visual supports to facilitate active movement in between activities.  

2. Make it Routine

This is my number one tip for any activity or strategy.  If the activity is easy to implement, it will be much easier to make it routine!  Almost every classroom I have worked in has a morning meeting of some kind. This would be an awesome time to incorporate movement.  Morning stretches, a yoga pose of the day, or music and movement – all of these are fun and easy to do!  Additionally, you could consider creating after lunch and end of day movement routines depending on the needs of your group.  Some students benefit from an alerting after lunch movement activity such as a high energy GoNoodle video, and a calming end of day movement routine such as quiet yoga or stretching.  

3. Change Positions

While all of the brain break cards and You Tube videos are adorable and certainly have their place, sometimes all it takes is a simple change of pace.  Have your students simply stand up and stretch frequently throughout the day, or sit on the floor to do their work.  If the work requires a pencil and paper, use a clipboard so it is easy to complete in any position.  Many classrooms I have been in have a carpet of some kind that may have some different colored squares or letters to indicate where a child could sit.  You can utilize those visual cues to prompt students to switch up their seating in between lessons, which is quick and easy to do!