Blowing the Autumn Leaf Gently

Lying on their tummies, each child has a paper autumn leaf in front of them and blows it across the floor: first with a strong wind, then a softer and softer breeze, until the leaf stays still. Kids work on breath control and calming down.

How to play

1. Everyone takes a paper leaf, lies on their tummy and sets it in front of their nose, propped on elbows (1 min).
2. Strong wind: we breathe in through the nose and blow hard so the leaf flies far; we crawl to get it (1 min).
3. Breeze: we blow softly so the leaf just trembles without moving (1 min).
4. The leaf goes to sleep: we lie on our backs with the leaf on our tummy and watch it rise and fall as we breathe (1 min).
5. We breathe so slowly that the leaf hardly moves, eyes closed (1 min).

Rules

• I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth.
• I blow my own leaf, not my friend's.
• With the breeze, the leaf only trembles.
• At the end I stay still and quiet.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the leaf goes on the wheelchair tray and they blow from there.
• Autism: may do it sitting or lying on their side, whatever feels best.
• Weaker breath control: a lighter leaf (a facial tissue) that moves with very little air.

Learning goals

• Control how hard they blow.
• Feel breathing in the belly.
• Calm down after active play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Tissue paper leaves: 25

Teacher tip

First teach them to breathe in "smelling a flower" and out "blowing out a candle"; otherwise they blow without breathing in and get dizzy. Big, thin leaves move best.

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