The Fidgety Learner

A lot of times, teachers will try and make kids sit still, and stop being "fidgety"; but being fidgety can actually help students keep their attention span. Children are always moving. It helps them maintain energy, the natural way. Spend energy to get energy. Scheduled breaks that encourage movement have many positive impacts on children and their alertness during school.

How so? There are many ways movement helps achieve alertness, and a lot of it's physiological. The benefits of movement include the following:

• It increases blood flow, which increases alertness. 
• It decreases stress, which helps us keep our attention. Just like exercise, simple movement is proven to reduce stress. 
• It prepares the brain for learning. When we are less stressed, our brains are open to learning new things and experiencing "the now". 
• It improves motor control. The more children are moving, the more they are practicing with their motor skills, understanding their strengths and their surroundings.
• Breaks improve attitude. When children are able to release energy, they're naturally in a better mood than they would be without movement all day. 

Ways to Encourage Movement in the Classroom

• Toss the Ball - I actually remember this one. Buy a ball each year for your students to decorate and during break time, have them practice their speech and language as they pass the ball back and forth. They can make up sentences as each one says a word and tosses it to the next, or ask each other questions. As long as it's fun or funny, they'll enjoy it. 
• Charades Real Quick - This will get your students up, striking poses and doing gestures, moving around and practicing their language and understanding skills.
• March in Place - Have your students march in place to get the energy out. Tell them they can move about, but only if they march. 
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Resources

Kjesbo, Rynette R., M.S., CCC-SLP. Super Duper Publications © Handy Handouts 2011: "Learning In Motion - Using Movement Activities During The School Day"