 You’ve made it through the first few weeks (perhaps months!) of the school year—what an accomplishment!
As routines begin to take shape and your classroom settles into its rhythm, remember that every small step you take with S.M.A.R.T. is building powerful foundations for your students’ growth. Last month we focused on building in the Alligator Crawl, highlighting the tremendous amount of brain-body connections it builds. Do you remember from training the other HUGE movement for building a solid foundation? Crawling on hands and knees! That’s right….it is the Creep or Slap Track. Let’s use this month to make this a non-negotiable in your S.M.A.R.T. routine. Why? Crawling on hands and knees may look simple, but it’s one of the most powerful movements for early learning. This cross-body action helps strengthen the brainstem, building the foundation for balance, coordination, and focus in the classroom. How? Model, if possible, a tabletop position on your hands and knees. Gently move forward slapping the palm of your hand on the card in the track, watching that hand. It is important to emphasize that going “slow is good” so that a smooth simultaneous creep is happening. This allows the visual system to be tracking back and forth, from hand to hand. Where? Creep (Slap) Tracks are a great activity to add to your course around the room. It is narrow and takes up about 12 feet of space. We also love using creeping on hands and knees as a transitional movement from one area to the other. We can’t tell you how many times we have seen this movement going down a hallway too! A note of caution…. Do not fall into the teacher trap with this activity! What is the trap you ask? Read on in our Time Saving Tips section…
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 Oh no! A teacher trap! We have all been there. And with the best of intentions. BUT… The information we place on the cards in the Creep (Slap Track) must be REVIEW material. Content that is too hard requires the student to stop and decode, thinking through the information, and losing focus on the automatic flow of the movement itself. A helpful reminder can be found in your S.M.A.R.T. guide: “You may use occasional reminders…but keep in mind the children should do this automatically rather than thinking about it.” For young learners, we suggest sticking to a predictable pattern of information. A sequence of 2-3 “content cards” is best. For older students, the material should not be a concept that has just been taught. Use this activity to reinforce content we would love to have them know by rote. Number sequence, heart words (if explicitly taught and reviewed a lot), pattern words, simple sentence, etc Running low on prep time or creativity? We are here to help!  Download a few of these simple starter cards for the beginning of the school year.
Want more ideas? Check out a past post for a creative tip for early elementary students. https://www.actg.org/smartnews/smart-spaces-apr-22 They say a picture is worth a thousand words—and that’s especially true when it comes to S.M.A.R.T. setups! Sometimes seeing how another teacher organizes a space can spark fresh ideas and inspire small changes that make a big difference. Take a look at these photos of the Creep (Slap) Tracks for simple, practical ways to support learning and make your room work for you and the children you spend your days with.
 Hi Families, Have you ever wondered how to best support school readiness at home? One of the most powerful ways is by looking at skill building through a developmental lens. Academic learning rests on a strong foundation in the brain—and that foundation is strengthened through movement. The brainstem, which supports balance, coordination, and core stability, develops best when children have plenty of opportunities for large muscle play. So here’s a simple tip: Head to the playground before picking up a pencil! When children climb the monkey bars, scale ladders, swing, slide, or practice balancing, they are not “just playing”—they are developing the gross motor strength and coordination needed for fine motor control. These large movements build core stability, bilateral coordination, and shoulder and hand strength—all essential for success in reading, handwriting, and comprehension. Remember: Movement anchors learning! Happy playing!  |
AuthorSCheryl Smythe Archives
November 2025
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