Leaves Floating Down from the Branch

Each child is a leaf holding a scarf, hanging from a pretend branch; with the music, it lets go and floats down very slowly until it lands on the floor. It practices lowering the body with control, expression and calm.

How to play

1. Standing tall, we're leaves holding onto the branch with a scarf in hand (1 min).
2. A gentle breeze blows: we sway side to side without letting go (1 min).
3. We let go of the branch and float down slowly, bending our knees, while the scarf drifts (1 min).
4. We land on the floor, first sitting, then lying down with the scarf on our tummy (1 min).
5. We watch the scarf rise and fall with our breathing (1 min).

Rules

• Leaves don't make noise when they fall.
• I go down very slowly, no flopping.
• Every leaf has its own spot on the floor.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the leaf floats down with the arms from the chair until the scarf rests on the lap.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher does the slow descent facing the group so they can copy.
• Autism: can pick their scarf color and spot before starting.

Learning goals

• Lower the body to the floor with control.
• Calm down through breathing.
• Act out a leaf's movement with the body.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pañuelos: 25
• música tranquila

Teacher tip

Hand out the scarves at the start so it doesn't become a scramble. If someone flops down, repeat the descent with them in slow motion, no scolding.

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