1.6: Incorporating Movement into Daily Routines

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

• Discuss the various ways Movement Activities can be integrated into daily routines.

Introduction to Integrating Movement into Daily Routines

Movement is a fundamental aspect of human development, particularly during the early years of life. Integrating movement into daily routines for preschoolers, toddlers, and infants is crucial for fostering physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. This chapter delves into various strategies and activities that educators can employ to seamlessly incorporate movement into the daily lives of young children. By doing so, educators can support overall development and instill a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.

In this section, we will explore diverse methods for embedding movement activities into daily routines for different age groups. Movement is vital for the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development of young children. The following strategies are tailored to preschoolers, toddlers, and infants:

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Movement activity.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Many ways to move.

Preschoolers

Preschool teachers can incorporate movement activities into the daily routine to support physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development in young children. Here are several strategies to integrate movement throughout the day:

Morning Warm-Up Routines

Stretching and Simple Exercises: Start the day with simple stretches and exercises to help children wake up their muscles and get their energy flowing. For example, movements like reaching for the sky, bending down to touch toes, or stretching like a cat and dog can be fun and engaging.

Dance and Music

Dance Parties: Play music and encourage children to move their bodies in different ways—slow, fast, big, or small. Dancing to rhythm helps with coordination, balance, and listening skills.

Follow the Leader: Play music and let the children move around while imitating the teacher's movements or actions. For instance, they could hop like a bunny, slither like a snake, or spin like a top.

Obstacle Courses

Indoor or Outdoor Obstacle Courses: Set up a safe obstacle course that involves crawling, jumping, climbing, and balancing. This promotes gross motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness.

Balance Beams and Hurdles: Use simple equipment like foam blocks or balance beams for toddlers to practice balancing and climbing.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Obstacle activity.

Circle Time Movement

Active Storytelling: During circle time, incorporate movement into storytelling. For example, children can act out parts of a story by moving their bodies, like "flying like a bird" or "marching like soldiers."

Songs with Actions: Use songs that include movements, such as "If You're Happy and You Know It" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," which encourage children to follow along with different actions.

Playful Physical Games

Simon Says: A classic game where the teacher gives commands that children must follow (e.g., "Simon says hop on one foot"). It encourages listening skills and physical movement.

Freeze Dance: Play music and have the children dance until the music stops. When it stops, they must freeze in place. This helps with impulse control and coordination.

Outdoor Play

Free Play: Encourage outdoor activities such as running, climbing, jumping, and playing ball games. These activities promote physical health, coordination, and social interaction.

Nature Walks: Take the children on nature walks where they can observe the environment and engage in activities like jumping over puddles or walking along a line.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Simple Yoga Poses: Introduce basic yoga poses like the tree pose, the butterfly pose, or the downward dog. Yoga helps with balance, flexibility, and mindfulness.

Breathing Exercises: Teach children simple breathing techniques, such as blowing out birthday candles or "smelling the flowers," to promote relaxation and awareness of their bodies.

Interactive Games

Animal Movements: Have children move like different animals. For example, they could "hop like a frog," "waddle like a penguin," or "slither like a snake." This helps with creativity and coordination.

Ball Skills: Roll, toss, or kick soft balls to help children develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

Transition Activities

Movement During Transitions: Incorporate simple movement tasks during transitions. For example, children can jump like frogs to the next activity area or march like soldiers to wash their hands. 

 Preschool Movement Vignette

The vignette below shows what integrating movement activities throughout the day might look like in a preschool classroom.   

A Day in Motion: Integrating Movement into a Preschool Routine

It’s a crisp morning at Bright Beginnings Preschool, and Ms. Laura and Mr. James welcome their group of energetic four-year-olds into the classroom. Right away, they integrate movement into the routine.

Morning Arrival & Sign-In:
Instead of a traditional sign-in sheet, Ms. Laura sets up a "Jump and Sign" station. Each child hops in place three times before choosing their name card and sticking it on the attendance board. “Let’s wake up our brains and bodies!” she cheers.

Circle Time Wiggles:
As the class gathers on the rug, Mr. James notices some fidgeting. He leads a quick "Shake It Out" routine—wiggling fingers, shaking arms, and stretching up high before settling into their morning songs.

Transitioning with Movement:
Before heading to learning centers, the teachers turn the transition into a movement game. “If you're going to the art table, tiptoe like a sneaky mouse! If you're going to the block center, stomp like a dinosaur!” Giggles fill the room as the children move with excitement.

Outdoor Gross Motor Play:
At the playground, Ms. Laura incorporates purposeful movement by setting up an obstacle course with cones to zigzag through, a low balance beam, and a jumping challenge. “Who can hop like a frog to the fence and back?” she asks, encouraging both fun and coordination skills.

Math Through Movement:
During small group time, Mr. James integrates movement into math. The children count aloud as they do jumping jacks, hop on one foot to practice one-to-one correspondence, and clap out patterns—"clap, clap, stomp, clap, clap, stomp!"

Snack Time Action:
Before sitting down for snacks, the teachers guide the children in a “pretend-to-pick-fruit” stretch, reaching high for apples and bending low for strawberries. “Now that we’ve gathered our snacks, let’s eat them!”

Goodbye with a Groove:
As the day winds down, the children gather for their goodbye song, but instead of sitting, they move. “Let’s wave our arms, stomp our feet, and spin in a circle as we sing our goodbye song!”

With movement woven into every part of the day, the preschoolers stay engaged, focused, and happy.

Toddlers

Toddler teachers incorporate movement activities into the day to promote physical development, coordination, and cognitive skills while engaging children in fun and active learning. Here are several ways toddler teachers integrate movement into daily routines:

Movement Songs and Rhymes

Songs with Actions: Toddlers enjoy songs that involve actions, such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," "If You're Happy and You Know It," or "The Wheels on the Bus." These songs encourage physical movement and help toddlers learn body awareness and coordination.

Animal Movements: Singing songs or playing games where toddlers mimic animal movements, such as hopping like a frog, slithering like a snake, or waddling like a penguin, supports gross motor development.

Free Play and Exploration

Climbing and Crawling: Set up safe spaces for climbing, crawling, and rolling. These activities build strength, balance, and spatial awareness. Simple items like soft mats or play tunnels can be used to promote exploration and movement.

Walking and Strolling: Toddlers can walk or run around designated safe areas, helping to develop gross motor skills and coordination. Teachers can also take the children on outdoor walks to explore their environment.

Marching:  Toddlers enjoy marching to songs like "We Are the Dinosaurs" by the Laurie Berkner Band.

Interactive Movement Games

Simon Says: A classic game where toddlers are asked to perform actions, such as jumping, spinning, or stomping. This helps with listening skills and following directions while staying active.

Freeze Dance: Play music and let toddlers dance freely. When the music stops, they must freeze in place. This game helps develop self-regulation and coordination.

Fine and Gross Motor Activities

Stacking and Building: Encourage toddlers to stack blocks or build with large-sized LEGO bricks, which require them to use hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Incorporating movement into these activities, such as reaching or squatting to pick up blocks, adds a physical element.

Ball Skills: Play with soft balls, encouraging toddlers to kick, throw, or roll them. This supports their coordination, balance, and hand-eye coordination.

Stretching and Yoga

Simple Yoga Poses: Introduce basic, toddler-friendly yoga poses, such as "downward dog" or "cat-cow." These poses help toddlers improve flexibility, balance, and body awareness.

Stretching: Stretching activities, such as reaching up to the sky or touching their toes, help with flexibility and muscle tone.

Dance and Movement Exploration

Free Dance Time: Provide opportunities for toddlers to explore dance movements. This could include hopping, twirling, or swaying to music. Dance helps develop rhythm, coordination, and physical expression.

Dance Props: Use props like scarves, ribbons, or musical instruments (e.g., tambourines) that toddlers can move with while they dance, encouraging creative movement and sensory development.

Outdoor Play and Exploration

Nature Walks and Play: Taking toddlers outdoors allows them to explore their environment. Activities like running, jumping, and playing on age-appropriate playground equipment help develop motor skills and social interactions.

Push and Pull Toys: Use toys like small wagons, carts, or ride-on vehicles that toddlers can push or pull. These activities build strength and coordination.

Movement During Transitions

Movement-Based Transitions: Incorporate simple movements during transition times, such as hopping to the next area, marching to wash hands, or twirling while waiting for the next activity.

 Toddler Movement Vignette

This vignette captures how toddler teachers can seamlessly integrate movement into daily routines:

Little Movers: A Day of Movement in the Toddler Classroom

The sun peeks through the windows as the toddlers at Happy Sprouts Childcare toddle into the room, greeted by Ms. Rosa and Mr. Kai. With wobbly legs and boundless energy, the little ones are ready for a day filled with movement woven into their routine.

Morning Arrival & Welcome Wiggles:
As toddlers transition into the classroom, Ms. Rosa greets each child with a playful movement. “Can you give me a big bear hug? Now let’s wiggle our fingers up high! Great job, now let’s put our coats away!” This gentle movement helps ease the transition from home to school.

Circle Time Stretches:
Before starting their morning songs, Mr. Kai leads a stretch-and-wiggle warm-up. “Can you stretch like a tall tree? Now sway in the wind! Oh no, a squirrel is running up your trunk—wiggle, wiggle!” The toddlers giggle as they move their bodies before sitting for a short story.

Diapering & Handwashing Groove:
When it’s time for diaper changes and handwashing, the teachers use movement to keep toddlers engaged. “Let’s march to the sink! Stomp, stomp, stomp!” Ms. Rosa sings a silly washing song as the toddlers scrub their hands, dancing along as they dry them with paper towels.

Music & Movement:
A toddler taps on the classroom drum, signaling music time! Mr. Kai puts on a familiar song, and the room turns into a mini dance party. Toddlers twirl, jump, and shake scarves to the beat. One little boy spins until he plops onto the floor in a fit of giggles.

Outdoor Exploration:
Outside, the teachers turn their nature walk into an active adventure. “Let’s stomp like elephants! Now tiptoe like sneaky cats!” The toddlers delight in mimicking the movements, making their walk full of laughter and energy.

Transitioning with Actions:
Instead of calling toddlers to the lunch table one by one, Ms. Rosa turns it into a movement game. “If you’re wearing something red, hop to the table! If you have curly hair, wiggle like a fish on your way over!” The toddlers eagerly participate, moving with purpose.

Nap Time Wind-Down:
To prepare for rest time, Mr. Kai guides the toddlers through gentle movements. “Let’s sway like the leaves, then curl up like tiny mice.” The slow, calming motions help them settle onto their cots, breathing deeply as lullabies play softly.

Goodbye with Hugs & High-Fives:
As families arrive for pickup, the toddlers get to choose their goodbye movement. “Do you want a big bear hug, a high-five, or a twirly spin?” Some reach out for hugs, while others giggle as they twirl one last time before heading home.

From morning to evening, movement is a natural and joyful part of the toddlers’ day, keeping their bodies and minds engaged while supporting their development.

Infants

Infant teachers incorporate movement activities throughout the day to support the physical, cognitive, and sensory development of infants. These activities help strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and foster early motor skills. Here are some ways infant teachers can integrate movement activities:

Tummy Time

Tummy Time: Infants benefit greatly from tummy time, which encourages neck and upper body strength. It helps infants develop the muscles needed for rolling over, crawling, and eventually sitting up. Teachers can place infants on their stomachs for brief periods several times a day, using toys or mirrors to encourage reaching and head-lifting.

Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Tummy time.

Assisted Sitting and Reaching

Sitting with Support: As infants grow, teachers can assist them in sitting up by providing support behind their backs. Encouraging them to reach for toys while sitting helps with balance, coordination, and strengthening core muscles.

Reaching Activities: Teachers can place brightly colored toys just out of an infant's reach to encourage them to stretch and move toward the toy. This promotes flexibility and muscle development.

Crawling and Rolling

Crawling and Rolling Activities: For infants who are starting to crawl, teachers can create safe spaces where they can explore. Encouraging rolling (from tummy to back and vice versa) helps with coordination and spatial awareness.

Soft Obstacles: Providing a safe, soft environment where infants can crawl over cushions or low obstacles helps improve their crawling skills and muscle development.

Gentle Movement and Rocking

Rocking: Infants often enjoy gentle rocking movements, which can calm them and promote relaxation. Teachers can rock infants in their arms or in a cradle to support their sense of security and rhythm.

Movement in the Carrier: For younger infants, being gently rocked or moved in a baby carrier or sling allows them to experience movement while staying close to a caregiver.

Dance and Rhythm

Gentle Dancing: While holding infants, teachers can dance to music or move rhythmically. The motion of dancing stimulates infants' sense of rhythm, coordination, and balance. It also provides sensory stimulation, which can be soothing and engaging.

Bouncing Rhythms: Teachers can gently bounce infants on their laps to the beat of music, helping them experience rhythm and movement while developing early motor skills.

Stretching and Flexing

Gentle Stretching: Infant teachers can guide babies through gentle stretches, such as raising their arms over their head or flexing their legs. This helps with flexibility and muscle development.

Bicycle Legs: For infants who are lying on their backs, teachers can gently move their legs in a bicycle motion. This helps to promote leg strength and mobility.

Interactive Movement

Baby Yoga: Simple movements like "baby yoga" can be introduced, where infants are gently guided through stretches or movements that mimic poses (such as bringing their legs to their chest or reaching for their feet).

Sensory Play with Movement: Incorporating movement into sensory play, such as rolling or gently rocking a ball, encourages infants to interact with the environment and enhances body awareness.

Outdoor Movement

Outdoor Exploration: If appropriate, teachers can take infants outside for fresh air and sensory exploration. Even if they are not yet walking, the motion of being carried or moved in a stroller provides new sensory experiences and exposure to different environments.

 Infant Movement Vignette

This vignette explores how infant teachers integrate movement into daily routines:

Gentle Rhythms: A Day of Movement in the Infant Room

The soft hum of lullabies plays as Ms. Anna and Mr. Jordan welcome the infants into the Cozy Nest Infant Room. Some babies arrive in their caregivers’ arms, while others wiggle excitedly in their strollers. Right from the start, movement is woven into the day’s rhythm.

Morning Warm-Up & Tummy Time Play:
As Ms. Anna gently lifts a sleepy baby from their car seat, she stretches their little arms and legs while cooing, “Good morning, sweet one! Let’s wake up those toes!” On the soft rug, a few infants enjoy tummy time, reaching for colorful fabric scarves as Mr. Jordan encourages them. “Can you push up like a big, strong puppy?” he asks, as a little one kicks their legs in excitement.

Diapering & Gentle Stretches:
During diaper changes, Ms. Anna takes a moment to engage each baby in movement. “Let’s bicycle your legs—zoom, zoom! Now let’s touch those tiny toes to your nose!” The infants giggle and coo, enjoying the warm, interactive care.

Rocking & Rhyming Transitions:
Before bottle time, Mr. Jordan cradles a baby in his arms, swaying gently to the rhythm of a nursery rhyme. “Row, row, row your boat…” he sings softly, rocking side to side. Another infant watches, kicking their legs in delight, so he playfully bounces them on his knee to the beat.

Exploring Movement on the Floor:
On the soft play mat, Ms. Anna places a rattle just out of reach of a curious baby, encouraging them to roll toward it. “You’re almost there!” she cheers. Nearby, a nine-month-old pulls up to a standing position using a low, cushioned bench. Mr. Jordan claps, celebrating their effort. “Look at you go, big kid!”

Outdoor Wiggles & Nature Walk:
When the weather allows, the teachers take the babies for a stroller ride outside. The gentle motion soothes them, and they watch the trees sway. Those who are more mobile have a chance to feel the grass under their fingers, practice sitting, or reach for bubbles floating in the breeze.

Lap Bounces & Interactive Songs:
Back inside, it’s time for a movement-filled sing-along. Ms. Anna sits with a baby on her lap, bouncing them gently as she sings, “The grand old Duke of York, he marched them up the hill and down again!” The babies giggle as they experience the rise and fall of movement in the teachers’ arms.

Wind-Down & Cuddles:
As nap time approaches, Mr. Jordan dims the lights and sways with a sleepy infant, rubbing their back in slow, rhythmic circles. Some babies settle into cribs, while others snuggle against their teachers’ chests, gently rocked into slumber.

From the tiniest wiggles to the biggest stretches, movement is a natural part of the infants’ day, supporting their development, strengthening connections, and filling the room with warmth and joy.

Conclusion

Incorporating movement into daily routines—whether for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers—supports key areas of development, including motor skills, coordination, and even cognitive growth. By weaving simple, age-appropriate activities, such as:

• tummy time for infants
• freeze-dance for toddlers
• and obstacle courses for preschoolers

Teachers can keep children active, engaged, and learning. Everyday moments, like transitions or mealtimes, become natural opportunities to build strength, confidence, and joyful exploration through movement.

References

This page was based on:

• OpenAI. (2024). How do preschool teachers incorporate movement activities into the day? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].
• OpenAI. (2024). How do toddler teachers incorporate movement activities into the day? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].
• OpenAI. (2024). How do infant teachers incorporate movement activities into the day? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].