FIVE WAYS TO ADD MOVEMENT TO LEARNING OUTPATIENT SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Sit Still and Pay Attention!

How many times have we heard this in our lives? In the not so recent past, children were expected to sit without fidgeting or moving during learning activities. If they didn’t, there could be a punishment or reprimand. Fortunately, things are changing, and research has shown that movement and brain breaks should be built into every child’s routine – frequently throughout the day.

Movement breaks offer kids a mental and sensory break. This is particularly critical for students with sensory processing disorder (SPD), ADHD, dyspraxia, or other classroom challenges. But movement breaks are not only important for children. A recent NIH study concluded that "Classroom Movement Breaks

Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Increase Concentration, Alertness and Enjoyment during University Classes” (Published online May 24, 2021)

Here are 5 simple ways to incorporate movement into our children’s daily lives and to add movement to learning

Use your child’s interests Ask yourself, what does your child enjoy?

Trains, cars, stars, and nature can be of great interest to kids and boost their attention to the task. Incorporating favorite toys into movement activities gets the child engaged. Using characters from a favorite book or movie can also be included in learning. Adding their favorite animals to do animal walks as a movement break before sitting to focus could be motivating!

Ask kids to respond without words. Some children may have difficulty with processing information. Their brain needs a few extra seconds to process the question and then form a response. Add movement! Kids can put thumbs up, hold up cards with yes/no, or even stand up when they know the answer. Another idea is to add movement to concepts. If you’re teaching prepositions, ask the child to put an actual item on top of the table, under the chair, to the left of the book, and so on Teaching left and right is more fun when kids point to their right or left, jump forward/backward or place an item to the right or left

Use alternative seating. It is important to remember that some children learn best and retain information when they are up and moving around instead of sitting quietly in their chair. Having different seating options at home and/or school can maximize learning. Sitting in a rocking chair, bean bag or inflated cushion provides our bodies with subtle movements that can help attention and focus. And you don’t always need equipment or special chairs –simply laying on the floor to assemble a puzzle works well.

Stand up! We all sit at our desks for longer than we realize. Kids often sit at their desks for entire class sessions. Research has shown the benefits of standing, so let kids stand when they need to. Most desks can be adjusted to a taller setting. Even a few minutes of standing can improve learning and movement boosts oxygen to the brain.

Add music to learning. Before a math lesson, or prior to reading and writing, add music Gonoodle com has fun and creative brain breaks and catchy songs While kids are working independently on handwriting or lessons, play classical music When kids feel slow and tired, play upbeat music, OR even try doing the chicken dance, Cha-Cha Slide or similar tune