Educator Insights
Foster Connections and Have Fun Doing It with Respect My Groove™
In this article, Kunta, dancer on THE BE KIND CREW® and member of the School Enrollment and Engagement Team, reflects on his experience with the Respect My Groove™ program and shares how THE CREW connects with students through movement, energy, and authentic engagement.
A lot of schools celebrate the uniqueness of their student body. Sometimes, the challenges of having a variety of unique individuals aren’t apparent beforehand. In any case, Respect My Groove™ addresses these challenges, by celebrating differences, strengthening connections, and reminding students that even though they come from different backgrounds they can dance, have fun together, and are deserving of respect.
“… dance, enriches the performance, composition, and appreciation of human movement,” (Tao et al., 2022).
If you want to get dancing right away, try The Be Kind Move of the Month.
What’s The BE KIND Move of the Month?
The BE KIND Move of the Month videos are FREE to educators who create a Be Kind Break account (also free!). They give students a break for their brain, while teaching a new dance combination focused on the Be Kind Pledge skill of the month. These videos build on each other, and at the end of the year, students will have a complete dance that highlights all ten skills from The Be Kind Pledge.
The integration of structured dance activities into the school day offers measurable benefits beyond movement alone, as supported by recent research:
“Students who engage in dance at school show greater initial socialization skills and better academic achievement compared with individuals who do not participate in dance”(Tao et al., 2022)
What does Respect My Groove Include?
We discuss what it means to Be Respectful so we’re all on the same page. We practice different ways to show respect, practicing eye contact, addressing others by name, and active listening. That way students see and feel the impact of positive and genuine acknowledgement, respect, and kindness. These practices are fundamental to the activities students will do in a Respect My Groove program.
Why Respect My Groove?
Dance has the ability to bring a group of people together, to bridge divides, while also allowing an individual to express themselves honestly, creating individual and shared identities, improving group cohesion.
“Dance develops relationships, connects people, and increases feelings of joy and togetherness” (Tao et al., 2022).
The Benefits of Learning in a Respectful Environment
It’s not rocket science–studies show when students feel respected, they are more motivated and engaged. A school that creates a respectful culture offers a safe space for genuine curiosity, encourages positive relationships, and facilitates a growth mindset. When students feel safe and respected, there is a positive impact on their academic performance and overall well-being. Say it loud, “Respect My Groove!”
4 Tools to Model Respect in Your Classroom
Different tools fulfill different tasks. Find tools that work and keep them in your back pocket. The first few are my go-tos. The number of times I’ve taken a deep breath before engaging a student, you’d think I was a Yogi. The appreciation I show students is typically reciprocated. Some students have a reasonable number of responsibilities or challenges to overcome at home, and some have little support. I can see that and empathize with it. It’s rewarding to witness their ‘aha’ moment once they truly feel seen.
Address Disrespect Calmly and Consistently
Establish Clear Expectations
Use Positive Reinforcement
Foster Empathy
Role-playing helps students understand different perspectives and foster empathy. Empathy is an open door to respect. Ask these questions to encourage empathy in your classroom (and yourself!).
- What do you think it is like to be a principal, teacher, parent, or student?
- What might they be feeling today?
- Why might they feel that way?
- What could I say or do to show kindness and support?
Every Groove Deserves to be Respected
Respect isn’t just something we teach, it’s something we model, practice, and move through together. Programs like Respect My Groove remind us that kindness and connection can start with a simple beat or shared rhythm. When students dance, listen, and create together, they learn to value not just the differences they see, but the community they build. Whether it’s through the Move of the Month or everyday classroom moments, showing respect through movement helps students find confidence, joy, and belonging because every groove deserves to be respected.
Register for a FREE BE KIND Break Account Today!
The BE KIND Break™ is a free program that offers academic character education lessons and videos that align with national standards. The lessons focus on the ten skills presented in The BE Kind Pledge™: be encouraging, be supportive, be positive, be helpful, be honest, be considerate, be thankful, be responsible, be respectful, and be a friend.
Related Articles
Supporting ADHD in the Classroom – Loving what you’re reading about Respect My Groove and how movement builds connection and respect? Turns out, incorporating movement-based learning isn’t just fun—it can be especially powerful for students with ADHD. Want to learn more about why programs like this work so well for students who struggle with focus and self-regulation? Click here to read our Supporting ADHD in the Classroom article and explore practical strategies that make a real difference.
Window of Tolerance – Respect My Groove is more than just movement—it taps into the nervous system to help students stay regulated and ready to learn. Click here to check out our Window of Tolerance article to understand why programs like this work, and why sometimes they don’t. It unpacks the science behind emotional regulation and gives you concrete tools to help students stay calm, focused, and in the zone.
References
Tao, D., Gao, Y., Cole, A., Baker, J. S., Gu, Y., Supriya, R., Tong, T. K., Hu, Q., & Awan-Scully, R. (2022). The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Physiology, 13(925958). National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.925958
