Individual Movement Cards for Physical Education Teachers
You've got a student who simply cannot work with a partner today. Maybe they're having a tough day emotionally. Maybe they've had a falling out with their usual partner. Maybe they're new and haven't built trust with anyone yet.
What do you do?
Individual movement cards solve this problem.
Access Individual Movement Cards in the Membership Lounge
When Solo Work Isn't Just a Preference. It's a Necessity
Not every child is ready for partner work every day. You might have students who:
- Are experiencing anxiety or overwhelm: The social demands of partner work are too much today
- Are working through conflict: Two students had an argument at lunch—forcing them to partner up won't end well
- Have autism or sensory processing differences: The unpredictability of another person's movements can be genuinely distressing
- Need a regulation break: A few minutes of independent, focused movement helps them settle before rejoining activities
- Are new or shy: Working with someone they don't know feels too vulnerable right now
Individual movement options aren't just nice to have, they're essential for inclusion.
Why These 10 Individual Cards Work
They're Truly Self Directed
Each card has clear visual instructions. Students can pick up a card and know exactly what to do without adult guidance. Hand a student a card, say "work through this one," and trust they'll be productively engaged.
They Build Core Strength and Body Awareness
These aren't time fillers. Each movement develops:
- Core stability
- Balance and coordination
- Proprioception (understanding where your body is in space)
- Breath awareness for emotional regulation
They Support Regulation and Focus
Focused, individual movement is calming. The repetition, body awareness, and controlled breathing support nervous system regulation. Students who start dysregulated often finish ready to rejoin the group.
How Educators Are Using These Cards
The Regulation Station
Set up a quiet corner with mats and these cards. Students who need a break choose a card and work through the movements. It's a self directed regulation space.
"I have three students with autism who use the regulation station regularly. They'll do 5-10 minutes of individual movements, then they're ready to rejoin. It's made such a difference." — Emma, Inclusion Support Teacher, Perth
The Early Finisher Option
Students who complete activities faster get an individual movement card. They stay active and engaged instead of sitting and waiting (which leads to disruptive behaviour).
The Arrival Activity
Place cards out as students arrive. As they come in, they grab a card and do that movement—a calm, focused way to start.
"We use these every morning as kids arrive. Each child does their movement, puts the card back, joins circle. It gives them focused body time before we start the day." — Lisa, Kindergarten Teacher, Adelaide
The Alternative PE Program
For students who consistently cannot participate in traditional PE, create an ongoing individual movement program. They work through 3-4 cards each lesson, building strength at their own pace without group stress.
What's Included
The set includes 10 carefully selected individual movements, each on its own professionally designed card:
- Clear visual demonstration showing exactly what the movement looks like
- Simple step by step instructions students can follow independently
- Benefits listed so students understand why this matters
- Modification options for different ability levels
- Duration or repetition guidance
Print, laminate, and use repeatedly. Put them in a basket, display on a wall, or keep in your regulation corner.
Getting Access
The 10 Individual Movement Cards are available exclusively through the Play Move Improve Membership Lounge.
When you join, you get immediate access to:
- Complete set of 10 individual movement cards (downloadable and printable)
- 20 partner movement cards
- Additional movement and sensory activity resources
- Screen free play ideas for various age groups
- Evidence based developmental resources
- Ongoing new content added regularly
Access All Movement Cards + More Resources
Every Child Deserves Movement That Works for Them
Not every child is ready for partner work. Not every child thrives in group activities. But every child needs movement and deserves to feel capable in their body.
Individual movement cards make this possible. They're the tool that lets you say "yes, we have something for you" to every student, regardless of their current abilities, social comfort, or emotional state.
When you have both partner cards and individual cards available, you can include everyone. The child ready for cooperative movement gets partner work. The child who needs solo, regulating movement gets individual work. Everyone is moving. Everyone is developing. Everyone is included.
Join the membership lounge today and get immediate access to both the individual movement cards and the partner movement cards, plus a growing library of practical resources designed for the realities you face every day.