LAWTON, OK— At Brockland Learning Center in Lawton Public Schools, educators operate under a shared, powerful understanding: "Exercise grows brain cells!"
As a PreK-only campus serving 170 four- and five-year-old students, Brockland has made it their mission to honor the developmental truth that young children are designed to move. Led by Early Childhood Principal Mrs. Katie Caughron and PreK Teacher & ABL Lab Facilitator Mrs. Shaelynn Sammons, the school has completely transformed its approach to early childhood education by integrating Action Based Learning (ABL) into the fabric of their daily routines.
When Brockland reopened as an early childhood center for the 2024–2025 school year, educators quickly noticed a critical need for sensory regulation and meaningful movement outlets. Before implementing ABL, teachers spent valuable instructional time managing dysregulation, redirecting behaviors, and struggling with difficult transitions. Students had a hard time with impulse control and stamina for learning, and the only "brain breaks" available were recess, P.E., and occasional sing-along videos.
The staff knew their students needed something more intentional and research-based. This realization led the Brockland team to the 2025 Action Based Learning Summit, where they gained the knowledge and vision needed to completely transform how movement and learning intersect.
The Solution Was Movement as a Pathway to Learning
Today, Brockland Learning Center doesn't view movement as a break from learning; movement is intentionally used as a pathway to learning.
"ABL has become more than a program at Brockland, it has become part of who we are."
Rather than limiting activity to recess, kinesthetic learning is embedded throughout the entire campus. Students engage in short, purposeful bursts of movement ranging from 2 to 15 minutes. They practice letters while balancing, count while jumping, and use movement to regulate their emotions. Every class visits the dedicated ABL Lab three to four times a week, and educators utilize tools like the ABC walking mat in various areas around the school.
Calmer Classrooms and Empowered Teachers
Within just a few months of consistent implementation during the 2025–2026 school year, the campus saw incredible changes.
The transformation shifted the school's approach from reactive behavior management to proactive movement strategies that support students before escalation even occurs. Teachers report calmer learning environments, increased participation, and stronger self-regulation skills.
This culture of excellence has ripple effects: Brockland has been recognized as a State Character School, earned a Purple Star designation for supporting military children, and celebrated multiple back-to-back District Teacher of the Year awards.
Dash's Journey
The true magic of ABL is best seen in the students. Take one student, who we will call "Dash." Dash moved at the speed of light, and any pauses or transitions often led to outbursts, tantrums, and attempts to leave the building.
One day, educators took Dash to the ABC walking mat during a difficult transition. After just one lap, his tears stopped, the redness in his face faded, and his eyes lit up—it was working! By mid-year, Dash learned to advocate for his own needs, asking for a walk when he needed a break or bouncing on the Boomer Board during lessons. By May, his fits were gone. He was happy, successful, and his confidence had been built from the ground up.
The More You Move, The More You Learn.
For educators looking to bring Action Based Learning to their own classrooms, the Brockland team offers a simple piece of advice: "Start small, stay consistent, trust the process, and be prepared to watch students and teachers flourish".
They emphasize that ABL is not about just keeping kids busy; it is about focusing on intentionality over quantity. By connecting purposeful movement to executive functioning and emotional regulation, any school can create a meaningful impact.
