6 Ways to Get Preschoolers Moving Mindfully
It’s simply not natural for children to sit still for extended periods of time. In fact, it’s medically frowned upon. Children must engage in regular physical activity to establish healthy habits that will last into adulthood. Incorporating mindful movement in the preschool classroom improves not only the physical, but the mental and emotional health of young children. It teaches them to recognize and deal with stressful situations and can serve as a mood-booster.
These 6 ideas will get preschoolers moving mindfully in their classrooms.
5 Senses Activity
When is the last time a child slowed down long enough to appreciate all five of their senses? The answer is likely never! For this mindful movement activity, children pay close attention to what they hear, see, smell, taste, and touch around them. Pairing the activity with a nature walk is the ultimate exercise in being grounded and mindful.
Musical Statues
A twist on the classic game musical chairs, musical statues never involves any sitting down! Instead, children move their bodies in response to the kind of music they hear. A soft ballad will have kids gently swaying, while upbeat, loud music really gets them rocking! In between each dance party, ask the children to pause and put their hands over their hearts. Ask them how it feels: “Is it pumping quickly? Softly? How does the different music make your heart feel different?” Kids will begin connecting what kinds of movements they can do to soothe and relax themselves versus what movements are better as vigorous exercise, which are great lessons to learn at a young age!
Ready, set, stretch! Get your preschoolers moving mindfully with this “Let’s Stretch Together” activity from Kindness Connections! Download your free printable!
Eagles Flying
This activity combines deep breathing with controlled movement. Starting with arms out at their sides, children mimic the glide of an eagle’s wings. Slowly lifting their “wings” up, they breathe in deeply through the nose. As their “wings” gradually glide back down, children breathe out through their mouths. Be sure to allow enough space for this activity, then stand back to watch the eagles take flight and learn how deep breathing can naturally calm the nervous system.
Shake It Out
No, that’s not a Taylor Swift typo! Shake it out refers to how the children move their bodies in this exercise. Whenever a stressful, intense, or overwhelming moment calls for a “reset,” have the kids shake their heads, pump their arms, and stomp their feet. Teaching young ones to acknowledge the different ways in which a person’s emotions sit in their body and negatively impact their physical health is the heart of this mindful movement. Recognizing the need for a physical or emotional reset is a valuable skill, one many are still perfecting into adulthood.
Kid-Friendly Yoga
When it comes to being imaginative, children are experts! Because much of kid-friendly yoga relies on the imagination to properly pose and stretch their bodies, children tend to become quick experts at it, too. Gentle instruction from the teacher, “Stretch your arms tall overhead, like tree limbs reaching for the sun,” is a simple place to start yoga in the preschool classroom. There are also great videos like Squish the Fish that provide helpful and fun visuals to get kids moving and imagining.
Open Mind Movement
As Wisconsin’s Healthy Kids Learn More believes, strength and flexibility aren’t only exercises for the body. An open mind and an appreciation for different perspectives requires a strong and flexible mindset. To develop both, have children practice these spine stretches.
Mindful movement ticks a lot of important boxes. Used for exercise, stress-reduction, and mood improvement, mindful movement in the preschool classroom has a host of benefits.
Did you love this article? Get regular updates about preschool products, teaching tips, and ideas to cultivate joyful learning in your classroom. Don't miss a thing - sign up today!
About the Author:
Stephanie Jankowski is an educator and author who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When she's not teaching or writing, she's spending time with her children, Brady, Ella, and Lyla, and marveling at just how short the years really are.