Introduction

Special education students often face unique challenges in the classroom. One effective way to help these students succeed is by incorporating activities that promote social-emotional learning (SEL) into their daily routine. This blog post focuses on the benefits of standing stretches, a simple and calming activity that can be easily integrated into any classroom setting. By incorporating these stretches, educators can help students develop self-regulation skills, improve focus, and create a more positive learning environment.

No-Prep Activity: Calming Standing Stretches

This standing stretch activity requires no preparation or materials, making it an ideal choice for busy educators. Follow these easy steps to lead your students through a calming stretching break:

1. Ask students to stand up and find their own space, ensuring they are not too close to their neighbors.
2. Guide students through three deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
3. Have students move their head side to side, stretching their neck, and then gently roll their head in a circle in both directions.
4. Instruct students to bring one arm across their body, holding it in place with the other arm, and then switch arms.
5. Ask students to raise one arm and lean to the side, then switch arms and repeat on the other side.
6. Have students reach for the sky with both hands and then carefully bend forward to touch their toes.
7. Finally, encourage students to give their body one last shake before returning to their seats.

By engaging in this simple standing stretch activity, students can experience a calming break that helps them refocus and prepare for learning.

Discussion Questions

After completing the standing stretch activity, consider posing these discussion questions to your students:

1. How did the standing stretches make you feel physically and mentally?
2. Why do you think it is important to take breaks and engage in activities like this during the school day?
3. What other strategies can you use to help calm your mind and body when you feel overwhelmed or stressed?
4. How can you apply the self-regulation skills you practice during these activities to other areas of your life?
5. Why is it important to respect and maintain personal space when participating in activities like standing stretches?

Related Skills

In addition to the benefits provided by standing stretches, there are several other skills that can be developed through SEL activities. Some of these skills include:

• Effective communication
• Empathy and understanding
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Goal-setting and perseverance

By incorporating a variety of SEL activities into the classroom, educators can help special education students develop a well-rounded set of skills that will serve them well in all aspects of life.

Next Steps

Interested in exploring more SEL activities for your special education students? Sign up for free samples of this skill and others by visiting Everyday Speech’s sample materials. These resources can help you create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where all students can thrive.