“Want to dance to a different groove? Come on…” – Young MC, Bust a Move 🎶
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Picture this: Circle Time. Thirteen preschoolers with IEPs. ADHD. Autism. Energy levels through the roof. The room is buzzing, kids are wriggling in their seats, and your lesson plan feels like it’s about to fly out the window.

What if the solution isn’t trying to stop the movement—but to channel it?

That’s where music and dancing step in.

God-Inspired Movement

In Acts 17:28, Paul reminds us: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Movement is not just natural; it’s spiritual. For kids with ADHD and Autism, it’s also therapeutic. Dancing gives them a way to regulate emotions, release energy, and connect with others in a joyful, non-verbal way.

Instead of battling the wiggles, why not use them as a tool to “control” the classroom—transforming chaos into harmony?

Why Movement Works

Kids often need to move before they can sit still and listen. Movement gives them a chance to release energy, regulate their bodies, and get ready to focus on what comes next.

Songs like Bust a Move provide a predictable rhythm. The steady beat and playful lyrics create a structure that children with ADHD and Autism can latch onto.

Dancing also engages the whole body. When kids move, they stimulate both sides of the brain, which helps build attention, memory, and even language skills.

And finally—joy matters. A happy child is far more willing to cooperate. Movement brings laughter, fun, and togetherness, which naturally leads to a calmer, more engaged classroom.

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The Soul Train Gang: Building Community Through Dance

One morning, Circle Time was feeling extra wiggly. Thirteen neurodivergent preschoolers with IEPs—each with their own sparks of energy—were bouncing, twirling, and moving in every direction. Instead of fighting it, I decided to lean in.

“Let’s make a Soul Train Gang,” I said. The kids’ eyes lit up, even though most of them had no idea what that meant. I lined them up in two rows, just like the old Soul Train line, and explained: everyone gets a turn to dance down the middle while the others cheer them on. A hidden social skill activity.

At first, some of the kids were shy. A few just clapped or shuffled their feet. But as the music played, something beautiful happened. They started encouraging each other—laughing, clapping, and even chanting their classmates’ names.

The wiggliest kids found a safe outlet for their energy. The quieter ones gained confidence as the group celebrated their moves. In those moments, we weren’t just dancing. We were building community, teaching turn-taking, and celebrating every child’s unique way of moving.

By the end, we weren’t thirteen individuals anymore—we were a Soul Train Gang. Together. Connected. Joyful. And in that circle of music and laughter, I was reminded of Acts 17:28: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Movement wasn’t just managing the classroom—it was a God-inspired way of drawing us closer to each other and to Him.

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✨ Have you ever tried using music and dance to redirect energy in your classroom or home? Share your favorite go-to songs in the comments below—I’d love to add them to the Circle Time playlist!

Copyright © 2025 by Edna Brown. All Rights Reserved.