Introduction

As educators, we understand the importance of incorporating activities that promote Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into our students’ daily routines. For students in Special Education, these activities are crucial for developing self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills. In today’s blog, we will discuss a simple no-prep stretching activity that encourages students to take a break, release endorphins, and energize their minds and bodies.

No-Prep Activity

This activity is easy to implement and requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It involves a series of stretches that can be done in any setting. Here are the steps:

1. Have students stand up and find their own space, ensuring they are not too close to their neighbors.
2. Students should place their feet flat on the ground, shoulder-distance apart, with their arms down by their sides.
3. Guide students through a series of stretches, including shaking out their hands, rolling their shoulders, and stretching their lower back and quads. Encourage deep, slow breaths throughout the activity.

This stretching break allows students to release calming chemicals in their brains called endorphins, which can help boost energy levels and improve focus.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, engage students in a discussion by asking the following questions:

1. How do you feel after completing the stretching activity?
2. What other activities or exercises do you think could help release endorphins and boost your energy levels?
3. Why is it important to take breaks and stretch throughout the day?
4. How can we incorporate more stretching or movement breaks into our daily routines?
5. How might this activity benefit your overall well-being and learning experience?

Related Skills

This stretching activity can also help students develop other essential skills, such as:

• Self-awareness: Understanding their emotions, thoughts, and values.
• Self-management: Regulating their emotions, managing stress, and setting goals.
• Responsible decision-making: Making constructive choices about their personal behavior and social interactions.

Next Steps

If you found this activity helpful and would like to explore more SEL resources, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These materials cover a range of skills and can be easily incorporated into your Special Education curriculum to support your students’ growth and development.