Fairy Sleep Dust

Children lie down like tired fairies inside a flower and the teacher, the oldest fairy, passes by with a chiffon scarf sprinkling sleep dust on each body part. It builds relaxation, calm breathing and body awareness.

How to play

1. Each fairy finds a flower on the floor and lies on their back, eyes closed if they like (1 min).
2. Breathe in as if smelling a flower and gently blow a dandelion seed (1 min).
3. The oldest fairy passes with the scarf and sprinkles sleep on feet, legs and tummy, which get heavy and still (2 min).
4. The sleep dust reaches the arms, hands and face, which relax (1 min).
5. The fairies wake up little by little: wiggle fingers, stretch and sit up slowly (1 min).

Rules

• Sleeping fairies don't talk.
• I stay in my flower, still.
• I feel the scarf but don't grab it.
• I wake up when the oldest fairy says so.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: relax in the wheelchair or on a mat with cushions, whichever they prefer.
• Autism: say before touching with the scarf, or pass it above without contact.
• Hearing loss: the teacher gently taps the shoulder to signal waking up.

Learning goals

• Relax the body part by part.
• Breathe slowly and calmly.
• Shift from activity to calm.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chiffon scarf: 1
• Soft music

Teacher tip

Dim the lights and lower your voice before you start. If a child can't stay lying down, let them sit in their flower: what matters is calm, not the position.

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