Movement breaks are important part of the learning process. They allow room for relaxation and will refresh your mind. Learn about 5 easy and FUN ways to make time for movement breaks and have a more active and relaxing homeschool day! If you are homeschooling a very active child, check out our podcast on Homeschooling the Active Child.
Incorporating movement into your homeschool day can feel daunting – especially if you are not much of an exercise person (like me). Sometimes it might seem like a burden, but remember that active learning and movement breaks allows for a higher retention rate and longer periods of focused concentration.
Adding a few breaks for movement to your day is worth it – and with a little practice it will be a welcome part of your routine!
Your kids are growing and they need to release their energy! You can also join them in some of these movements – getting up and active will give you more energy! It is good for the mental and physical health of your kids and you. Here are some common and easy movement breaks to plan for a more active homeschool day.
1. Take a Walk
Take some time off and take a walk or walk the dog around the neighborhood. This movement break will allow the kids to relax and retain what they just learned. Chat about the book you’re reading. Make plans for your next field trip. Or just relax and enjoy the weather if it’s nice! When you get back to the table (or couch), you will both be ready to continue the learning process.
2. Dance Break!
Put on your favorite music and dance it out! Clear some space in the living room to do an Irish jig when you’re learning about Ireland. March around the table with your favorite instruments. What a great way to connect with the kids and shed off the stress we all feel sometimes.
A dance break will refresh and invigorate you. You will be more ready to teach, and you kids will be ready to learn once they’ve gotten all the wiggles out! Make it a memorable bonding moment between you and your kids.
3. Play Movement Inspired Games
Movement games are a fun way of keeping your homeschool day active! Some game ideas that will get your moving:
- Simon Says
- Hide and Seek
- Bean Bag Toss
- Jump Rope
- Hopscotch (and practice ABCs or 123s!)
- Charades
- Freeze Dance
4. Play Hand-clapping Games
Remember those fun and silly hand-clapping games from your childhood playground? I bet your body does – muscle memory is pretty incredible. With a little rhyming reminder, you will be able to teach your kids to play, too! Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack. All dressed in black black black…
Work some of the lessons you’re learning into hand-clapping games. Make up a new rhyme, retell a story, or practice math facts! This will allow for a movement break while still getting the concepts taught. This is great for elementary levels who rely heavily on repetition – what a fun way to practice that is not your run-of-the-mill memorization.
5. Start Your Lessons with a Warm-up
Make it a routine to start your homeschooling day with physical exercises as a warm-up for your body and mind. Older children can take leadership roles and make a plan for what kind of warm-ups or movement breaks you have throughout the day. Join in the warm-up! This as a family affair!
Some morning warm-ups get your mind and body ready for the day:
- Jumping rope
- Yoga
- Running in place or outside
- Skipping down the street
- Riding a bike or scooter
- Exercises like jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups and squats
- Or let your kids come up with their own ideas!
More ways to incorporate movement into your homeschool day!
I’ll freely admit that getting up and moving is sometimes a struggle. But I don’t want three cranky, little couch potatoes complaining that they’re bored all day long. A few more ideas for incorporating more movement and physical activity into your homeschool:
→ Have FUN with Handwriting with these Full Body ABC Exercises!
→ How to Homeschool Physical Education
→ FREE Homeschool PE Ideas
