Introduction
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential part of a well-rounded education, especially for students in Special Education. SEL helps students develop essential life skills, such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision-making. One engaging way to incorporate SEL into the classroom is through fun, movement-based activities. In this blog post, we will introduce an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity called “Wiggle and Jump” that can help students release energy, improve focus, and enhance their social-emotional skills.
No-Prep Activity: Wiggle and Jump
“Wiggle and Jump” is a simple, yet effective activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It can be done in any classroom setting and is designed to help students release energy, improve focus, and enhance their social-emotional skills.
To begin, have the students stand up and find a space where they won’t bump into anyone. Ask them to stretch their arms out to the front, side, and back, ensuring they have enough space and are not touching anyone. Explain that the goal of the activity is to wiggle and jump to release energy and help their bodies and minds feel good.
Start by having the students jog in place, gradually increasing the pace. Next, ask them to pretend to be sharks, clapping their hands together and reaching up before chomping down. Repeat this motion several times. Then, have the students “climb” an imaginary ladder, first slowly and then faster. After climbing the ladder, encourage them to flap their arms like birds and fly away into the clouds. Finally, have the students hop side to side like bunnies before wrapping up the activity with a big breath in and out.
Discussion Questions
After completing the “Wiggle and Jump” activity, engage students in a discussion by asking the following questions:
- How did the activity make you feel? Did it help you release energy or improve your focus?
- Which part of the activity did you enjoy the most and why?
- How can we use activities like “Wiggle and Jump” to help us manage our emotions and energy levels throughout the day?
- Can you think of any other fun activities that could help us improve our focus and social-emotional skills?
- How do you think participating in activities like “Wiggle and Jump” can help us build better relationships with our classmates and friends?
Related Skills
“Wiggle and Jump” is just one of many activities that can help students in Special Education improve their social-emotional skills. Other related skills that can be developed through engaging, movement-based activities include:
- Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and challenges.
- Self-management: Effectively managing emotions, stress, and impulses.
- Social awareness: Demonstrating empathy and understanding the feelings and perspectives of others.
- Relationship building: Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Responsible decision-making: Making constructive choices based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in incorporating more activities like “Wiggle and Jump” into your classroom to help students in Special Education develop their social-emotional skills, consider signing up for free samples of related skill materials at Everyday Speech. By exploring these resources, you can support your students in building a strong foundation for success both in and out of the classroom.
