Easy Ways to Get Kids Learning With Their Bodies

ByMonica Healer

Hey Reader!

Physical movement is important for all ages in early childhood—not just for large and small muscle development, but for all learning. Movement helps children focus, remember, and stay regulated.

Today, I’m sharing simple, realistic ways to add more movement into your day, no matter the age of the children in your classroom.

Transitions: Move It Like This!

Walking quietly in a straight line is hard for preschoolers—and often leads to behavior struggles. Instead, turn transitions into movement opportunities:

  • “Let’s fly to the gym like airplanes!”
  • “Hop like a bunny on the way to the playground.”
  • “Pull out your elephant trunks and walk slowly like a giant elephant.”

You’ll be surprised how engaged children become—and how many line‑walking problems disappear when movement is intentional.

Story Time: Bring the Book to Life

Story time doesn’t have to be still.

Try:

  • Giving children props to hold up
  • Adding actions for certain words or sounds (example: touch your nose every time you hear a word that starts with M)
  • Passing an object around the circle as pages turn

Challenge for Pre‑K teachers: Assign a movement to each page. Students stand while you read page 1; then touch their knees while you read page 2, etc:

  • Page 1: stand up
  • Page 2: touch knees
  • Page 3: touch toes
  • Page 4: turn around
  • Page 5: face front again
  • Page 6: sit down

Use smaller movements for a few pages, then build back up to standing. Children stay engaged—and listening improves.

Group Time: Include Their Bodies

Any full‑group activity can include both large and small motor movement.

Instead of rote counting, count while:

  • jumping
  • marching
  • clapping
  • itty,bitty tapping with a pinky
  • Even blinking!

Practice letter formation with the whole body:

  • Stand tall to make the line of a T
  • Clasp hands above your head and then pull arms down to the ground
  • Hop up and cross the midline way above your head to finish the letter
  • Or trace letters on knees using fingers or on the carpet using your toe

If children are sitting and watching you write for more than a few seconds—include them in the writing.

What About Babies and Toddlers?

Movement matters for them, too! Try these simple ideas:

  • Lay babies on their backs and bicycle their legs while singing
  • Help them cross the midline by gently moving arms and legs (yes—even doing the Macarena together!)
  • When babies are starting to sit, place them on a ball sitting up (holding them securely) and gently roll side to side to build core strength
  • Encourage lots of crawling for children ages 6 months to 3 years—it activates multiple muscle groups and supports brain development

Active children are more focused, attentive, and ready to learn.

Cheering you on this week!

-Your ECCN team

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