My Stuffed Animal Stretches With Me
Each child wakes up their stuffed animal from home and the two of them stretch, yawn and move together: if the toy raises its arms, so does the child. It gently warms up the body with the help of a comforting object.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle, each child has their stuffed animal asleep on their lap and whispers: "Wake up, it's time to play" (1 min).
- The stuffed animal stretches up high and the child stretches the same way; then they both yawn (1 min).
- The stuffed animal moves its head, arms and legs, and we copy every move (1 min).
- Stand up and walk around with the stuffed animal on your head, on your shoulder and on your tummy (1 min).
- Give your stuffed animal a big hug and sit it next to you to get started (1 min).
Rules
- The stuffed animal moves slowly; no throwing.
- Whatever the stuffed animal does, I do too.
- Everyone takes care of their own stuffed animal.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher moves their own stuffed animal up front and everyone copies at the same time.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, a child shows the group how their stuffed animal stretches and the others copy.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the stuffed animal moves one side of its body (one arm, one leg) and we copy with the same side.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child moves the stuffed animal and copies what they can with arms, head or upper body.
- Autism: if sharing or touching other children's toys is hard, each child works only with their own and without contact.
- For anyone who forgot their toy: keep a basket of school stuffed animals in the room to choose from.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body gently at the start of the session.
- Copy simple movements.
- Use a comfort object from home for emotional support.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Stuffed animals from home: 25
Teacher tip
Send a note home asking families to bring a stuffed animal with the child's name on it. Always keep spares: a child without one has a really hard time.
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