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Are your students zipping across the Balance Beam like pros? That’s a sign—they’re ready to level up! When it’s time for a simple challenge (no extra prep required), add in a Flamingo Pose right on the beam or invite students to close their eyes as they walk forward. These tiny upgrades instantly deepen the experience and keep kids engaged while strengthening their balance and confidence. Simple changes, big impact!  Here’s why it matters: Balance is a powerful tool for social-emotional learning. As students practice steady, controlled movement, they build focus, self-regulation, body awareness, and perseverance—skills that support emotional calm and classroom success. After plenty of balancing with eyes open, closing the eyes gently increases the challenge by activating the vestibular system. Try it yourself: stand on one foot for 5 seconds with eyes open, then repeat with eyes closed. Feel the difference? That boost in sensory input helps strengthen both the brain and body—making balance practice a win-win for learning and emotional growth. 
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Looking for some winter themed fun in your S.M.A.R.T. program? Here is a quick little throwback to a blog where we highlighted thematic twists for December! https://www.actg.org/smartnews/archives/12-2016  As winter settles in and outdoor play becomes limited, movement breaks become more important than ever for keeping students focused, regulated, and ready to learn. This is the perfect season for S.M.A.R.T. teachers to add fresh activities that keep the program engaging while giving students the sensory input their bodies need. Have you explored some of the powerful balance activities from the program?
One fun way to maximize your movement time is with what we call a “double whammy”—combining two CORE skills into one exciting game. Try Musical Tables from the S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide (page 37)! Students begin in the Stable Table position, then creep on all fours as music plays. When the music stops, they freeze back in Stable Table. This playful routine layers creeping + balance, creating a burst of sensory input that supports focus, body awareness, and self-regulation—just what students need during cold-weather months indoors. Don’t forget to explore the progression options in your program guides to keep this activity growing with your learners. Small increases in challenge keep students engaged while strengthening the skills that support both learning and emotional regulation. Winter may keep us inside, but it’s the perfect time to turn up the movement and help students thrive! Winter is setting in, it can be tempting for kids to hibernate—but movement is more important than ever during the long winter break! Keeping bodies active helps boost mood, focus, and energy, even when outdoor play is less accessible. To make movement fun and motivating, turn it into a game with Movement Bingo! We’ve gathered some of our favorite developmental movements to help families stay active, connected, and energized while chasing away the winter blues. For an extra splash of adventure, bundle up and take the challenge outside—fresh air plus movement makes it even more fun! Download Here  |
AuthorSCheryl Smythe Archives
January 2026
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