Kittens Find Their Cushions

Sleepy kittens crawl very slowly to their cushions, stretch like cats, and curl up to sleep. Children calm down by stretching their backs and breathing quietly.

How to play

1. We scatter cushions around the room; kittens crawl very slowly to find theirs (1 min).
2. On the cushion: angry-cat back (up) and happy-cat back (down), very slowly (2 min).
3. We stretch our front paws forward with our bottoms back, like a yawning cat (1 min).
4. We curl up on the cushion in a little ball (1 min).
5. We purr softly with every breath until we fall asleep (1 min).

Rules

• I crawl very slowly.
• One kitten per cushion.
• I stretch without hurting myself.
• I purr softly so I don't wake anyone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child does the back stretches seated, arching and rounding in the chair.
• Blind or low vision: the teacher guides the child's back with a hand so they feel up and down.
• Autism: the child may use their own cushion from home or one kept in the same spot.

Learning goals

• Calm down gradually.
• Stretch the spine on all fours.
• Link movement and breathing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cushions: 25

Teacher tip

Purring is a great way to lengthen the out-breath. Keep the cushions spread out so no one gets in the way while stretching.

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