My students love it. We do the routine as part of our morning schedule. Thanks for creating such a fun and energizing way to exercise. Its wonderful!
Cindy Vernon
Teacher in USA
I introduced a programme based on your Wake Up Shake Up programme into 2 preschools and we are already seeing improvements in their attention and coordination and they love it.
Fiona Beckerlegge
Physiotherapist, School Health Programme, Bermuda
My class of 10 KS2 Autistic pupils took to it immediately and on the first go my colleague who teaches PE said they had all been more active in 10 mins than they had EVER been in any PE lesson!
Ruth Golding
Teacher at Special Support Centre
Our Wake Up and Shake Up programme provides you with a very easy way to introduce daily activity into your school without impacting on your (the teachers’) time, as it is all done for you!
It engages children of all ages in a fun and lively way, as they learn easy routines to pop music and have a great time! So long as they do a ‘cool-down’, a calming activity to finish, they will approach their class work re-energised and in a ‘state of readiness to learn’.
Impact
Where it has been taking place regularly over a long and sustained period of time, schools have reported an impact in the following areas:-
- Enjoyment of school life and a sense of well-being (staff too!)
- Improved self-esteem impacting on other curriculum areas: ‘success breeds success’
- Improved co-ordination (gross motor skills then impacting on fine motor skills)
- Improved rhythm and timing ( this has helped with music and dance lessons)
- Improved concentration and application to tasks immediately after the brief exercise session
- Increased stamina
- Improved behaviour ("when done at the end of lunchtime, playground squabbles are forgotten and afternoon class is much better")
- Improved hydration (children get thirsty and WANT to drink more)
How long does it take?
It can take between 5-10 minutes, shorter or longer to suit your circumstances.
Where can you do it, and when?
Anywhere...on the playground, or field, or in the school hall or even in the classroom.
And anytime...before school, or as part of a healthy snack break mid-morning, or at the end of lunchtime (part of a behaviour management strategy which proved very successful), or in the classroom whenever concentration is flagging and the children need an injection of energy and oxygen. Many schools also run an after-school Wake Up Shake Up club, where young leaders make up new routines to teach to their peers or it’s just a fun aerobics session led by a teacher or interested adult and open for anyone to attend.
China:
Performing some daily physical activity has been part of the Chinese culture for many years. On a recent visit a teacher spotted their equivalent of a Wake Up Shake Up session. A massive group of children performing a very regimented and well-practiced routine to music, culminating in a colourful performance. Delightful to watch!
WUSU Young Leaders:
The development of Young Leaders has been one of the key features of the Wake Up Shake Up programme and here you can see examples of how it can work and the encouragement you can offer.
Head's and Teacher's view:
If you still need convincing of the difference this programme can make and the educational benefits, then listen to what these people are saying about Wake Up Shake Up.
© Wake Up Shake Up Productions | Creative Director: Ruth Mitchell