Introduction

As educators, we understand the importance of incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) activities into our daily routines to help our students develop essential life skills. In this blog post, we will explore a simple, no-prep activity that focuses on stretching and breathing exercises to help PreK students wake up their bodies, improve focus, and maintain a calm and positive mindset throughout the day.

No-Prep Activity

The following activity is designed to be easy for educators to implement in their classrooms without requiring any preparation or materials. This Wake Up Your Body Stretch activity encourages students to engage in a series of stretching and breathing exercises that help them feel refreshed and energized.

1. Ask students to find a comfortable space on the floor, ensuring they have enough room to stretch out their arms without touching their neighbors.
2. Begin by shaking hands for 5 seconds, counting down together: 5… 4… 3… 2… 1.
3. Next, roll shoulders in small circles for 5 seconds, counting down: 5… 4… 3… 2… 1.
4. Give shoulders one big squeeze, then place one hand on the lower back and gently look up at the sky, stretching the back in a gentle backbend. Hold for a few seconds before carefully standing back up.
5. Reach arms up to the sky, stretching as high as possible, then finish the activity with 3 deep breaths in and out, counting together: Breathe in… and out. In… and out. In… and out.

After completing the activity, ask students how they feel. Are they feeling happy or relaxed? This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of taking care of our bodies and minds to ensure we have a great day.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to further explore the benefits of stretching and breathing exercises with your students:

• Why is it important to stretch and wake up our bodies in the morning?
• How did the stretching and breathing exercises make you feel? Did you notice any changes in your body or mood?
• Can you think of other ways we can take care of our bodies and minds throughout the day?
• What other activities can we do to help us feel calm and focused during the day?
• Why is it essential to have personal space when doing stretching exercises?

Related Skills

In addition to stretching and breathing exercises, there are several other relevant skills that can be incorporated into your daily classroom routine to support Social-Emotional Learning:

• Mindfulness practices, such as guided meditation or focused breathing exercises
• Team-building activities that promote cooperation and communication
• Gratitude exercises, where students share what they are thankful for each day
• Conflict resolution strategies, such as role-playing and problem-solving exercises

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about the Wake Up Your Body Stretch activity and its benefits for PreK students, we encourage you to explore additional Social-Emotional Learning resources. You can sign up for free samples of various SEL activities, including those mentioned in this blog post, to help support your students’ growth and development.