Locking the Noise in the Chest

When play is over, each child makes one last silent noise (a voiceless shout, stomping in place) and "puts it away" with their hands in a treasure chest the teacher locks with a pretend key; then we listen to the quiet that's left. It's a symbolic way to move from excitement to calm.

How to play

1. Sit in a circle around the open chest; the teacher says this is where noises go to rest (1 min).
2. One at a time, each child makes their noise without a voice, using face and body: a silent shout, stomping in place, a soundless belly laugh (1 min).
3. They catch it in their hands like a butterfly and carefully put it in the chest (1 min).
4. We close the lid together very slowly and the teacher locks it with a pretend key: "click" (1 min).
5. With eyes closed we listen to the quiet left in the room, then share what we heard (1 min).

Rules

• My noise has no voice: I make it with my face and body.
• I wait my turn to put it away.
• The lid closes slowly.
• When the chest is shut, we listen quietly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the teacher brings the chest to their spot.
• Hearing loss: the last step focuses on watching an LED candle or a light go out, staying still.
• Autism: preview it with a "closed chest = quiet" card, and they can hold the box as it closes.

Learning goals

• Move from excitement to calm.
• Express themselves with the body, not the voice.
• Enjoy a shared quiet moment.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Box with a lid: 1

Teacher tip

A decorated shoebox works as a chest and you can reuse it every day so it becomes a ritual. If someone makes the noise out loud, no big deal: "Oops, it got away; catch it quick and into the chest!"

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