Why teachers should be using the Brain Dance to support learning
Picture your students walking into your classroom first thing in the morning. Some are probably dragging their backpacks (hi, it me). Some might be bouncing off the walls like they ate marshmallows for breakfast. (We all know these morning people. Still trying to figure out how to be one.) And some might even be overwhelmed, and it’s not even 8 a.m..
There’s a lot of different energy buzzing around. And now it’s your job to get everyone on the same page… and somehow ready to learn.
You know from experience that rushing everyone to their seats and repeating “sit still” and “pay attention” just doesn’t work. So instead, you pause. Cue up some music. And get them moving.
Not in a choreographed TikTok dance way. Just some simple, intentional stretching, reaching, and flowing.
And just like that, the energy shifts. Focus sharpens, bodies settle, and smiles show up.
It’s like a collective deep breath to kick off the day.
This is the power of the Brain Dance.
Not magic (though it kind of feels like it). But a smart, sensory-friendly, body-and-brain-boosting tool that’s become a favorite among teachers, therapists, coaches, and families looking to create more inclusive and engaging learning spaces.
So… what exactly is the Brain Dance?
Developed by Anne Green Gilbert, the Brain Dance is a series of eight developmental movement patterns that help rewire and refresh the brain. These aren’t just any moves; they mirror the natural movements babies go through in their first year of life to build brain-body connection. Think breathing, stretching, curling, reaching, crawling, spinning… You get the idea.
And while it’s great for little ones, it’s just as powerful for older students, teens, and even adults.
It’s like a mini system reboot that helps learners reset, regulate, and re-engage.
Why it works
At MOVE Inclusive Dance, we work with students of all abilities. That means our studio is filled with unique needs, learning styles, communication preferences, and personalities. And the Brain Dance has a really special way of meeting every single one of them where they’re at, with flexibility, simplicity, and compassion.
These movements can be adapted for use in seated or standing positions, performed in groups or individually, and introduced at a pace that works best for each student. Whether your learners need help calming their bodies, staying focused, or connecting to the space around them, the Brain Dance offers a way in.
The benefits:
Boosts focus and attention
Helps students self-regulate emotions and energy
Encourages coordination and body awareness
Supports sensory integration
Builds confidence and belonging
Works for learners of all abilities
And the best part is that it’s genuinely fun. No pressure, no perfection, just feel-good movement that helps students feel grounded, included, and capable.
Want to bring this into your classroom (or clinic, or homeschool day)?
Our Professional Development Workshop is the perfect place to start. We’ll show you how to use movement-based tools like the Brain Dance to support learning, inclusion, and engagement for all types of learners. Whether you teach, coach, assist, or support, this hands-on, high-energy training will leave you with strategies you can use right away.
Join us this summer for our Professional Development Workshop
Not ready to commit just yet?
You can dip your toe in by grabbing our free warm-up video. Perfect for mornings, mid-day slumps, or whenever your class needs a little boost. It’s packed with stretches and energizing movements that help students (and you!) clear their minds and reset for the day.
Let’s get every brain (and body) ready to learn.
