Five ways to make “Movement Time”, fun, safe and educational

Movement time gives children the opportunity to explore their physical freedom, learn social skills and become stronger and more confident.

In order for Movement time to be successful, teachers need to create a situation that has boundaries for safety, promotes respect for teachers as well as peers and allows for children to be relaxed and feel free!

Here are some ways that this can be achieved:

1. Enter the Movement space or classroom as a group with the teacher, using “walking feet”. (Running in alone and without an instructor is discouraged)
2. Start the class sitting on the circle of tape or spots with sufficient room between bodies, so that children feel grounded and have the opportunity to move with freedom.
3. Start the class with a hello song that provides focus and community connection
4. Teachers should avoid  leaving before the class is over or entering after it begins.
5. Teachers should participate with the class as part of the group. We are in it together!

Boundaries and Rules- Even the most boisterous child needs to learn that movement time is going to be fun only if he/she follows the lead of the movement teacher. Just as a classroom has rules of conduct and how to handle materials, navigate space and time, a movement class has rules as well. These rules make children feel safe and protected. Paradoxically, the more children are mindful of rules and boundaries, the more freedom they can handle successfully!

Preventing Accidents- If a child has a physical or emotional difficulty, the classroom teacher should intervene so the class can proceed for the other children. Accidents often occur when children have self regulation challenges that are not addressed.

When boundaries and rules are followed, this actually allows the movement teacher to provide more opportunities for freedom of choice!