Half Asleep, Half Awake

Lying down, children cover one side of the body with a scarf; that side falls asleep and goes heavy while the other side moves very slowly, then they switch. It works on relaxing one part at a time and sensing each side.

How to play

1. Lie on your back and put the scarf on top of one hand (1 min).
2. The scarf side falls asleep: let it go heavy like a sandbag (1 min).
3. The other side wakes up slowly: open and close the hand, wiggle the foot, turn the head toward it (1 min).
4. Move the scarf to the other hand: now this side sleeps and the other wakes up (2 min).
5. Both sides fall asleep; take three belly breaths before sitting up (1 min).

Rules

• The scarf side stays still.
• The awake side moves very slowly.
• Use quiet voices, like in a bedroom.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do it sitting in the wheelchair with the scarf on one arm.
• Autism: dim the lights, skip adult touch if it's hard, and add a stuffed animal buddy.
• Visual impairment: the teacher gently touches the side that's falling asleep.

Learning goals

• Relax one side of the body while the other moves.
• Feel the difference between tense and calm.
• Return to a calm state after play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• fabric scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Talk slower and softer as you go. Check the sleeping arm by lifting it just a little: if it drops floppy, it's really asleep!

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