Back to Back, a Two-Person Mountain
In pairs, sitting back to back, children make a two-person mountain: they feel each other's breathing, twist together and stretch up. They work on body awareness and trust.
How to play
- In pairs, sit cross-legged with backs touching, like two halves of a mountain (2 min).
- Breathe together: feel your partner's back puff up as they breathe in and go down as they breathe out (2 min).
- The mountain top: raise the arms, hold hands up high and stretch toward the sky (2 min).
- The mountain twists: backs together, turn to one side with a hand on your partner's knee, then the other side (2 min).
- Snow on the mountain: the teacher walks by and rests a hand on each pair's heads; the mountain stays still for three breaths (2 min).
Rules
- My back stays against my partner's back.
- I don't push: I just lean.
- I move together with my partner.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just sit back to back, feel the breathing and raise the arms.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the twist to both sides.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, try standing up together by pressing back to back, slowly and without letting go.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: sit in a chair while the partner sits on the floor or another chair back to back, leaning however works.
- Autism: if the touch bothers them, put a cushion between the backs or partner with the teacher.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher shows each change with a big gesture in front of the pair.
Learning goals
- Notice your own breathing and your partner's.
- Coordinate movements with another person.
- Build trust through touch.
Teacher tip
A calm activity, great after something active. Pair kids of similar height and let them choose partners the first time.
PatioLab has "Back to Back, a Two-Person Mountain" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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