Teaching communication skills through movement!
Well-developed communication skills are vital for children’s academic and social success, no matter their age! At PowerUp, we’ve linked social-emotional learning skills to physical activity to encourage character development through movement and fun. These activities help students develop both nonverbal communication and team communication skills.
PowerUp Fitness offers a variety of unique fitness programs! PowerUp programs are designed to provide children with the opportunity to become more active, physically and mentally. Learn more about us and our mission to PowerUp children's development with fitness and fun in our About Section!
Human Bop-It
Nonverbal Communication
Participants will pretend to play the “Bop It” game, but use their bodies to follow the instructions.
Kick It - children kick in front of them (ensure participants are in their own space first!)
Twist It - participants jump, twisting their bodies half way around then back.
Spin It - children turn around
Pull It- Participants imagine they are pulling two levers down from above their heads to low squat.
Bop It - Participants jump in the air.
Character Concept:
Round 1: Instructor calls out the commands & performs the actions, participants perform the actions on call.
Round 2: Instructor performs the actions (no verbal cues), participants mimic and call out name of action.
Round 3: Instructor calls out actions (no physical cues), participants perform action.
Round 4: Instructor switches between verbal and nonverbal cues, participants pay attention to perform action.
Round 5: Participants play in pairs, switching between verbal and nonverbal cues, taking turns in the “instructor” role.
Math Relay
Communication as a Team
In teams, participants perform a relay race to work their way through multiplication tables.
The first participant runs, skips, or hops to the finish line, solves 5x1, then returns to the end of the line. The next team member solves 5x2, and so on until the team works their way up to 5x12. The first team to complete the set wins!
Character Concept:
Afterward, ask participants:
How did your team communicate during the relay?
Did you help each other solve the problems or let each team member solve their own problem?
After you finished your problem, did you communicate with the next team member or did they already know what their problem would be?
Are there things your team could have done differently to communicate better?
Download this printable pdf version of
Did you enjoy these activities? Take a look at our activity bundles or even request sample lesson plans to learn more!
For 100’s of activities, games, and exercises that can be implemented in-person, virtually or with safe distancing, check out our PowerUp programs!
PowerUp Goes Virtual!
Looking for virtual activity resources? Turn on, Tune In, and PowerUp! Check out our PowerUp Premium Virtual Classes! Only $8.99/mo. for an unlimited subscription or check out our Program Access Bundles for Schools, Camps, Before & After School, PE and more.
PowerUp Fitness is an Advocate Member of the National Afterschool Association and proud partner of Active Schools US.
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