Blow It to the Wall

Each child holds a square of tissue paper against the wall, lets go, and keeps it stuck there with just a long breath; then they try a partner's palm and the floor as the "wall". It works on long, steady exhaling and the joy of meeting a challenge.

How to play

1. The teacher does the "magic" demo: puts the paper on the wall, lets go while blowing, and it doesn't fall as long as the breath lasts (1 min).
2. Each child finds a spot on the wall, breathes in through the nose, and tries: how long can I keep my paper stuck? (3 min).
3. Between tries, they run to touch another wall and come back to their spot to catch their breath and move (2 min).
4. They try with a partner's palm as the wall: one child holds out an open hand and the other blows the paper against it, then they switch (3 min).
5. Final challenge: everyone counts out loud how long each child's paper stays up, cheering every try (2 min).

Rules

• I breathe in through my nose and out slowly through my mouth.
• If my paper falls, I pick it up and try again.
• I blow on my paper, not my partner's face.
• When the drum sounds, we all listen.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the "wall" is the back of the chair or a tray a friend holds.
• Visual impairment: bright paper on a dark plain wall, or better, feel it against their own palm.
• Autism: let the child try as many times as they want without comparing them to others.

Learning goals

• Keep a long, steady exhale.
• Time letting go of the paper with blowing.
• Meet a small personal challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Tissue paper squares: 25
• Hand drum

Teacher tip

Squares about 4 inches wide work better than big ones. A common mistake is letting go before starting to blow; use the cue "blow first, then let go."

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