Game Pieces Go Back in the Box

The game is over and the pieces must be put away: children walk very slowly to a box made of ropes and lie down inside one by one, neatly placed and not touching. It slows the pace, calms breathing and closes the board-game session.

How to play

1. The teacher lays out a big rectangle with four ropes: it's the game box. The pieces walk around the space, slower and slower (1 min).
2. The teacher softly calls pieces by groups: “pieces with white sneakers,” “pieces with ponytails”… Those pieces tiptoe into the box (1 min).
3. Each piece lies on its back in a spot, arms by its sides, without touching its neighbor (1 min).
4. With everyone put away, the teacher closes the lid with a soft “click,” and we breathe like sleeping pieces: belly up, belly down (2 min).
5. The teacher slowly opens the lid, and the pieces sit up, stretch and walk out of the box in a line (1 min).

Rules

• Pieces walk in very slowly.
• Each piece in its own spot, touching no one.
• With the box closed, quiet as a sleeping piece.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: draw the box around the wheelchair, or the child can lie on a mat with help.
• Autism: leave a spot at the edge of the box with extra space around it.
• Hearing loss: the teacher calls each group by pointing to what identifies it (sneakers, ponytail).

Learning goals

• Lower the activity level little by little.
• Control the body to settle without touching others.
• Relax lying down while breathing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cuerdas: 4

Teacher tip

The teacher's voice sets the tone: softer and softer. If they giggle or wiggle when the lid closes, open it a bit and repeat the “click” calmly.

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