Regulation Rendezvous: Purposeful Walk

Many of our students struggle to remain well-regulated while seated in the classroom. They need opportunities built into their day for movement and exercise. One of our favorite strategies to recommend is a Purposeful Walk because it provides the student with calming vestibular and proprioceptive input through a structured task with a definite ending point.  Check out some of the great Purposeful Walk ideas we have seen in our districts in today’s Regulation Rendezvous.

Purposeful walks are already naturally built in throughout the day when students transition between different locations in the school building. Incorporate additional sensory input during these times through using a weighted backpack, weighted cart to push, or carrying a weighted transition item like a stuffed animal filled with plastic pellets.

Weighted Transition Buddy
Annette Baker and Bridgette Powers
Miami East Elementary, Miami East

Transition with Weighted Backpack and Cart
Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elemetary, Mad River

Other naturally-occurring opportunities for purposeful walks can be embedded as jobs throughout the day. Students can collect recycling, gather milks in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch, bring out recess equipment, collect textbooks or dictionaries in class, collect and return library books, or collect PE equipment.

Pusher for Library Books
Jennifer McGowan
Smith Middle School, Vandalia

Recess Equipment Rolling Tubs
Greenmont Elementary, Kettering

Tub of Library Books on Carpet Square
Terri Wheeler
Milton Union Elementary, Milton Union

Collecting Milks

Additional purposeful walks can be scheduled for a particular student who needs additional opportunities to move. These walks could include a treasure hunt walk, guided map walk, walking laps in the gym or on the playground, or making deliveries. 

Delivery Envelope
Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Delivering Reams of Paper
Bradford Elementary

Be creative and have fun coming up with a theme for a student’s purposeful walk or incorporate their special interests! Keeping students motivated and engaged will allow the purposeful walks to be an effective calming support strategy for your students