Back to School Transitions

Transitioning back to school in the fall can be exciting and stressful for our kids. The uncertainty of a new teacher, classroom and meeting new peers can bring on high emotions and cause our kids to increase their arousal more easily for longer periods of time. Having to exit a familiar environment, stop a preferred or familiar task, and leave that consistency can feel frightening. Movement can provide a healthy outlet for the body, calm, the body, change the pace of the day and provide a brain boost. Take a few minutes to explore a few of these movements!

Big Movement Break (Walk and squeeze the whole body): This large movement exercise is especially helpful in relation to focus/sustained attention while participating in a game. Start by shaking out the limbs for several seconds to loosen up the body. Then, stretching arms over the head and move hands down to the hips. The adult states “freeze” and the child works to contract the entire body, squeezing all their muscles until the muscles shake. Parent says “relax.” This should be anywhere from 6-10 seconds and the child places hands back on hips. Repeat if necessary. The activity incorporates proprioception, attention skills, waking up the body and decreasing fight-or-flight.

Small Movement Exercise (Stretch and bend): Begin in a standing position. Straighten the legs all the way up the hips until they feel tight. Use both your arms and hands to cup under the knee, to help bend your left knee toward your shoulder and hold this position for 5 seconds. Repeat with the right knee. Come back to standing position and repeat as necessary. This activity is nice to do before transitioning as the balance component provides vestibular input, proprioceptive input and balance,

Animal Walks: Animal walks are a great way to transition from dinner table to get ready for bed or in the morning before school begins. Incorporating into obstacle courses is another way to add creativity and fun. Animal walks incorporate gross motor strength, balance, bilateral coordination, core strength. and helps to regulate the nervous system. Crab walk, bear walk, horse run or duck walk are some favorites.