How might offering opportunities for movement in a 1st grade classroom impact engagement and emotional regulation?

Halle Blum


Seminar Title


How might offering opportunities for movement in a 1st grade classroom impact engagement and emotional regulation?


Concept/Strategy

Focus of the Research


Movement breaks, Flexible seating, Physical layout of the classroom, Group/Partner work, Learning Centers, Authenticity


Grade Level

Research Was Applied


1st Grade


Relevant Grade Level

Connections


1st Grade


Discipline

Where Research Was Applied


Other


Additional Discipline Areas

I see Application to


Health


Invitation/Commercial


“Get your wiggles out!” “Alright friends, eyes on me!” How many times do you say a variation of these phrases in your classroom when engagement seems to be painfully low and you are feeling frustrated with student behavior? My research focused on movement breaks of all kinds and how they positively impacted student engagement and emotional regulation. I focused on teaching the Zones of Regulation to my 1st graders and taught them how moving their bodies and brain can help them get back to (or stay in) the green zone. Green Zone = Ready to Learn! The Zones of Regulation (green, yellow, red, blue) are a developmentally appropriate way for elementary students to name their emotions and learn strategies to regulate their actions. Teachers of all grade levels will walk away understanding more of why students need brain breaks and movement opportunities throughout the day and that you will gain strategies and ideas to implement in your classroom to help keep engagement high and behaviors low.