Catching Stars Lying Down

Lying on their backs like on a beach chair, children toss their beanbag star just a little bit up and catch it over their chests, slower each time. It brings them back to calm with very controlled tossing and catching.

How to play

1. Each child lies on their back on a mat with a beanbag, a little star that fell from the sky; play soft music (1 min).
2. Hold the star with both hands over your chest and lift it up and down slowly, following it with your eyes (2 min).
3. Toss it up just a little, about a hand's length, and catch it with both hands; softer and slower each time (2 min).
4. Rest the star on your tummy, close your eyes and feel it rise and fall as you breathe (1 min).
5. Sit up slowly, hug your star and walk it very slowly to the basket (1 min).

Rules

• Stay lying on your mat.
• The star only goes up a tiny bit.
• If it falls, pick it up without getting up.
• Breathe slowly and quietly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: if lying down isn't possible, the child does it sitting with their back supported in their chair.
• Visual impairment: use a beanbag with a bell and a very tiny toss, barely letting go.
• Autism: the child can use a beanbag with a texture they like and have their mat a little apart.

Learning goals

• Relax after exertion.
• Coordinate eyes and hands in very short tosses.
• Link slow movement with calm breathing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25
• mats: 25
• soft music

Teacher tip

Beanbags should be soft and light in case they land on a face: do the demo lying down yourself. Fade the music to silence to finish.

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