Lullabies From Every Home

Each grown-up sits on the floor with their child on their lap and rocks them gently while humming the lullaby sung at home, in whatever language it is. Kids slow down their bodies and breathing, and the room fills with lullabies from many places.

How to play

1. Dim the lights; each grown-up sits on a mat or blanket and the child snuggles into their lap (1 min).
2. The teacher hums a simple traditional lullaby and everyone sways side to side with the rhythm (1 min).
3. Each grown-up softly hums their family's lullaby, in their own language, while rocking their child (2 min).
4. Two or three families who'd like to sing theirs for the group do so; everyone else sways and listens (1 min).
5. Stop rocking, stay still, and the grown-up strokes the child's back until the teacher brings the lights up (1 min).

Rules

• Snuggle up and let yourself be rocked.
• Sing very softly, like you don't want to wake a baby.
• Listen quietly to other families' lullabies.
• Get up slowly when the lights come on.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stay in the wheelchair or on a wedge pillow while the grown-up rocks their arms or strokes their hands.
• Autism or touch sensitivity: they can lie next to their grown-up under a weighted blanket and listen without being rocked.
• Hearing impairment: the grown-up taps the lullaby's rhythm gently on their back.

Learning goals

• Relax the body after activity.
• Recognize and enjoy feeling calm and cared for.
• Appreciate lullabies from the different cultures in the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 6
• Blankets or towels: 25

Teacher tip

Invite families to bring their home lullaby even if it's in another language; it's often the most moving moment of the day. If a child has no grown-up there, the teacher or a volunteer grandparent offers a lap.

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