Every Animal Sleeps Its Own Way

Children find out how different animals sleep and copy their resting positions: the cat curled in a ball, the flamingo on one leg, the dog stretched out on its side and the bear on its back. It works on posture control and relaxation.

How to play

1. Sitting down, the teacher asks: "Did you know every animal sleeps differently?" Let's try it (1 min).
2. The cat sleeps in a ball: curl up on your side with knees to tummy and breathe slowly (1 min).
3. The flamingo sleeps standing on one leg with its head tucked: try it for a bit, switch legs, then sit (1 min).
4. The dog sleeps stretched out on its side, legs loose; sometimes a paw twitches as it dreams (1 min).
5. The bear sleeps on its back, tummy up: arms and legs loose and the tummy rising and falling (1 min).
6. Everyone picks a favorite animal and falls asleep like it, quietly (1 min).

Rules

• Sleeping animals don't talk.
• I move slowly when I change animals.
• Every animal in its own spot, not touching anyone.
• The flamingo can put its other foot down if it wobbles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: does the poses seated; the flamingo raises one arm and rests their head on the other.
• Hearing loss: show a photo or drawing of each sleeping animal.
• Visual impairment: the teacher describes the pose and guides it by hand before letting go.

Learning goals

• Explore different resting positions.
• Hold balance on one foot for a moment.
• Relax in the chosen position.

Teacher tip

Bring photos of sleeping animals: kids love finding out flamingos sleep on one leg. Keep the flamingo to a few seconds; it's the only part that takes effort.

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