TEACH Movement for Happiness

Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) are more than just behavior supports – they’re pathways to learning and success. By prioritizing wellbeing and happiness in BIPs, you can help create structure and consistency while also making space for joy, connection and resilience. With the right supports in place, students can feel empowered, successful and experience more happiness at school.

1. Prior to school/class time, provide access to one Movement for Happiness practice known to enhance mood for 15-30 per day. This is a proactive strategy to enhance mood, focus, and on-task behaviors.
2. Provide access to regular movement snacks throughout the school day. Present a visual choice board or series of alarms/reminders on digital devices that prompt the student to engage in movement snacks proactively throughout the day.
3. Use movement as a de-escalation strategy at the onset of precursor/problem behaviors. Present the student with movement choices previously determined to enhance mood and allow them time to engage in the movement practice in a safe and supportive environment.
4. As a part of existing data collection procedures, add a measurement procedure for capturing episodes of Movement for Happiness exercises/practices and graph alongside other behavior data.

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Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) ensure every student has access to the supports they need to thrive. When happiness and wellbeing is included and prioritized in IEPs, students are more likely to flourish in learning and in life. By shifting from a deficit-based approach to one of strengths and potential, IEPs can open doors to learning, connection and joy – at school and beyond.

1. Student will identify 3 forms of movement that they enjoy and have access to them on a daily basis.
2. Student will explore 8-10 forms of movement by learning the basic knowledge necessary to engage in the practice for 30 minutes 3 times per week for 2 weeks.
3. Student will learn to complete a Movement for Happiness log that tracks their movement practices, intensity, duration, frequency, and mood/happiness rating.

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Bringing wellbeing to the forefront doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your classroom routine. By integrating happiness skills into what you’re already teaching, you can help students learn and practice happiness in simple, meaningful ways. From morning meetings and check-ins to reading, writing, and relationship-building, there are countless ways to make wellbeing part of everyday learning.

1. Do you already include movement in your classroom or students’ daily activities? Use this skill to explore ways to enhance the benefit of that movement on happiness. Try increasing the intensity or duration to reap greater benefits. What about adding music or creating a more playful approach to movement? Could you explore different movement forms? Or maybe even take your movement outside and into nature?
2. Are students learning to respond to alarms or keep calendar appointments? Add in Movement for Happiness alarms or appointments to ensure students engage in movement regularly.
3. Movement for Happiness isn’t one size fits all. A movement that brings one person innate joy might feel hard and daunting to another. Try exploring the individual needs of your students when it comes to Movement for Happiness.

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