S.M.A.R.T. Spaces

Setting up your classroom? Maybe you’re already settled in and ready to start adding your S.M.A.R.T. elements. We’re here to help!

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to build a strong foundation and create the classroom culture you want to carry with you throughout the year. Remember, with S.M.A.R.T.,
​we start small and build. We go slow to go fast. Taking the time to thoughtfully introduce each core activity helps children learn the routines and sets everyone up for success.
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One of the best places to begin is by looking at your classroom through a S.M.A.R.T. lens. Take a walk around your space and notice the walkways, open areas, and everyday spaces that could become opportunities for movement.

After watching the quick classroom setup video, take a look around your room and ask yourself:

✏️ Pencil Roll
Where do you have enough open space for children to roll approximately 16 feet? Look for a clear pathway that can become part of your daily S.M.A.R.T. routine.
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🐊 Alligator Crawl
This space can be narrow and, if needed, can even travel underneath furniture. The goal is approximately 16 feet. Is there a space along the back of the classroom, beside tables, or between learning areas where children could crawl?

👣 Balance Beam
The Balance Beam is one of our most versatile S.M.A.R.T. elements! It can follow the edge where carpet meets tile, be created with floor tape, or curve and turn as part of your classroom rotation. Could you place yardsticks along a carpet? Is there a natural pathway where floor tape could lead toward the pencil sharpener, lockers, or another frequently used area?

🐢 Creep Track
Pull out the tracks you created at training and start looking for a narrow walkway that can accommodate their length. Do you have a carpet where you can attach the track? Could you use foam squares underneath to create the right surface?

The goal isn’t to create a perfect S.M.A.R.T. classroom. It’s to look at the space you already have and discover the possibilities within it.
A little creativity can turn an ordinary walkway into an opportunity for movement, exploration, and a brain-building experience.
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