My Cushion, My Spot
Each child finds their own cushion, marked with their photo, and uses it as home base: they go move a little around the room and come back to sit on it. Having a spot of their own feels safe and helps them start moving away from it.
How to play
- Before class, set the cushions in a circle with each child's photo taped on (prep beforehand); in the room, each child finds theirs and sits down (1 min).
- Say hello to the cushion: pat it, hug it and sit on it again (1 min).
- The music plays and we stand up and take three little steps away from the cushion; when it stops, we sit back down on it (2 min).
- Now go a bit farther: touch the wall and come back to the cushion when the music stops (1 min).
- Lie down with your head on the cushion and breathe slowly (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone goes back to their own cushion, the one with their photo.
- We sit on it without pushing the one next to us.
- When the music stops, we walk back.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, children only take little steps around their cushion, and the teacher stays with anyone who doesn't want to get up.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, children go to the wall or a mat and come back to the cushion.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher moves some cushions while children are away and they have to find theirs.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: place the cushion next to the wheelchair and the child comes back to touch it with a hand.
- Autism: the cushion is always in the same place in the circle, session after session.
- Visual impairment: give the child a cushion with a different texture (bumpy, fuzzy) to recognize by touch.
Learning goals
- Have a spot of their own in the room that feels safe.
- Move away from and back to a reference point.
- Respond to the music signal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Cushions: 25
- Children's photos: 25
- Calm music
Teacher tip
Laminate the photos and tape them with wide tape so they last all term. Anyone who doesn't want to get up can play sitting on their cushion in the first days; they'll join in when ready.
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