Blow the Paper Ball into the Goal

In pairs at a table, children blow a big newspaper ball across to a goal made of two blocks on the other side. Long breaths calm the body while they keep aiming, this time with air.

How to play

1. We sit around the tables, and each pair builds a goal with two blocks (1 min).
2. We breathe: in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth, like blowing out a candle (1 min).
3. One child blows softly, softly, to move the ball into the goal while their partner waits on the other side (2 min).
4. We switch, and now the partner blows from their side (1 min).
5. We leave the ball in the goal and finish with three very slow breaths, hands on our bellies (1 min).

Rules

• I blow soft and long.
• Only air, no hands.
• If the ball falls, I pick it up slowly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: played at a table at their height with no changes needed.
• Breathing difficulties: they can fan the ball with a piece of cardboard instead of blowing.
• Autism: play with the teacher at a separate, quieter table.

Learning goals

• Lower energy with long breaths.
• Control the strength of a breath.
• End the session calmly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• newspaper balls: 25
• tables: 5
• blocks: 10

Teacher tip

Make each ball from a full sheet of newspaper so it's big enough that nobody can put it in their mouth. Have them sit up tall with their chin at table height; if anyone gets dizzy from blowing, let them rest.

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