The Power of Hope Molecules: Why Movement Belongs in Every Classroom
Last year, Dr. Paige Wescott shared a blog about hope molecules. I've been thinking about hope molecules often, especially as I work alongside educators designing inclusive spaces in schools. As our understanding of educational neuroscience grows, we're recognizing that movement is fundamental to learning and emotional well-being. But, it's not just about running, skipping, shooting layups, or kicking soccer goals. Any muscle contraction releases myokines. These myokines or "hope molecules" travel through the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, and enhance cognitive functions.
Dr. Wendy Suzuki's research on "How Body Affects Brain" demonstrates that these "hope molecules" improve mood, memory, and cognition. When we pair this with findings from researchers like Dr. John Ratey and Dr. Marian Diamond, we see both immediate and long-term impacts of exercise on brain function, development, and longevity.
In his book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (affiliate link), Dr. Ratey describes how physical activity also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a key protein that strengthens neural connections and enhances learning. He calls BDNF "Miracle-Gro for the brain," highlighting its powerful effects on cognitive development. And if we go even further back to the 20th century, Dr. Marian Diamond's seminal research on enriched environments demonstrates that movement physically changes the brain, increasing synaptic connections and altering brain structure.
The research is clear – whether we are exploring Myokines, BDNF, or neural plasticity – when we deny students opportunities for movement, whether as punishment or through lack of inclusive options, we're not just taking away a pleasant activity; we're actively restricting their cognitive development and emotional regulation tools.
Creating Movement-Inclusive Learning Environments
As we continue learning from neuroscience research, we are in a unique position to shift our classrooms to prioritize movement as a foundational element of learning rather than an afterthought, punishment (the losing team runs a lap), or reward (kickball on Friday after a week of “good behavior”). This change in practice requires us to examine how we structure our school days, design kinesthetic classrooms, and prioritize subjects like physical education. Educators who embrace inclusive daily movement create environments where every student experiences the benefits of physical activity. As educators, we beg, borrow, and steal good ideas. Here are some that I have incorporated into my own spaces after learning them from others.
Power Ups
30-Second Dance Party: My colleague, Lynn Tucker at PLU, shared this with me. She plays a short song segment and invites her students to dance freely.
Stand and Shake: Fellow Neural Educator, Laura Callender at Bremerton High school invites her classes to stand and "shake out" parts of their body in sequence (fingers, hands, arms, etc.)
Follow the Leader: I watched this recently when a student teacher played a game of Simon Says with his class as they were waiting for their next teacher to pick them up. There were no winners or losers, just attention, laughing, and mirroring!
Curriculum-Connected Movement
Vocabulary Charades: Students act out vocabulary words while others guess. Educator, Kristyn Dahl at Spanaway Lake High School, incorporates games and other activities to connect movement with vocabulary and concepts.
Four Corners: As a health teacher, this is a fan favorite. Post different topics/answers in corners and have students move to their choice.
Concentric Circles: Inner/outer circles of students who rotate to share ideas with new partners. Recently, I did this at a professional learning event. The instructors used it alongside sentence stems that spurred discussion. It was also a good way to meet people!
Learning Stations
Rotation Stations: Ever stepped into a vibrant Kindergarten classroom? Neural Educator Dawn Pringle transforms the space into a dynamic learning lab with 4-5 Maker Space stations – each one inviting young learners to engage in purposeful movement through a variety of hands-on activities. Whether it’s painting, building with construction materials, molding playdough, or exploring decodables, each station is thoughtfully designed to support both large and fine motor development. More than just play, these centers are deeply connected to core subjects like math, reading, science, and writing – turning movement into meaning.
Stand-Up Workstations: Tall tables or counters can support students as they recognize their need to stand. My sister, Crystal Widmann, used standing stations in her 5th grade classroom. Students had full autonomy to choose to sit or move to the standing station based on their movement needs. This was good news for my son who had her as a teacher.
Creation Stations: As an anatomy teacher, I had students rotate through different stations, each focused on a specific body system. At each station, they had creative tools (clay, pipe cleaners, paper, markers, digital apps, etc.) and the autonomy to design, build, or illustrate key concepts in their own way – for example, muscle contraction. Their mission: to create and explain how that concept or body part works as an abstract mental model or more concrete realia. And this is where the creative magic happened! In one class, students grabbed jump ropes to model “actin” filaments, demonstrating how muscles contract by sliding them past one another. In another, clay-built neuron chains stretched across tables to represent neural pathways.
The goal in these power ups, content-connected movements, and learning stations isn't just participation, but empowerment. They help students recognize that movement, in any form, supports their well-being and cognitive growth. By working alongside students as they discover their personal access points to movement, we also foster body autonomy and encourage lifelong engagement with physical activity.
As we design learning environments centered on equity and inclusion, let's ensure that movement is recognized as a fundamental right, not a conditional privilege. Every student deserves the opportunity to move, to feel the effects of those "hope molecules," and to benefit from the lifelong impact of an active body on a thriving brain (thanks to BDNF & neural plasticity).
When we intentionally integrate movement into instructional design, we’re doing more than boosting focus or engagement – we’re helping students build healthier relationships with their bodies and with physical activity itself. By removing movement from our disciplinary toolkit and instead making it a cornerstone of our educational approach, we're not just improving classroom experiences, but we are also setting the foundation for lifelong well-being.
Want to explore movement in your educational spaces?
Through a grant with OSPI, Neural Education, SHAPE WA, PLU Department of Kinesiology, and the Bethel School District partnered during the 2024-2025 school year to co-create “Body & Brain Boosts - Movement Opportunities for Every Class.” They will be available soon through the OER Commons. They are also available for purchase in hard copy. Email brainbreaks@bethelsd.org.
PLU Kinesiology students teamed up with the Bethel School District to bring movement into the classroom in fun and meaningful ways! From balance games and stretch breaks to kinesthetic learning and creative movement challenges, these future professionals are exploring how physical activity can spark both minds and muscles. No matter the classroom movement activity, they’re all doing one powerful thing – releasing myokines, or what researchers call hope molecules!
Another recommendation is to follow Mike Kuczala. He wrote the book, Kinesthetic Classroom, alongside Traci Langel. Mike continues to post and publish today. He is currently working on a book with Dr. Lynne Kenney called The Movement Revolution (Kuczala & Kenney, 2026).
Ready to be part of a global movement transforming education through neuroscience? Join a groundswell of passionate educators from around the world who are reimagining teaching and learning by integrating brain science into their classrooms. Come learn, connect, and take action at one of our upcoming events with Neural Education.
Stronger Together Celebration - May 9, 2025 4:30-5:30 PM PT (ZOOM)
Neuroscience of Equity - July 22-24, 2025 at Pacific Lutheran University
Watch our website for upcoming events:
Neuroscience of SEL & Resilience Institute (formerly Basic Institute, Summer 2025)
Neuroscience of Attention Institute (Fall 2025)
virtual Book Study (Fall 2025)
