My Stuffed Animal Waits in the Basket

At the end of the session, each child finds their stuffed animal, which has been waiting in the basket, and lies down to rest with it, whispering what they did. It's a calm-down and a reunion with something familiar that closes the session safely.

How to play

1. The teacher brings over the basket of stuffed animals that waited during play and opens it slowly (1 min).
2. Each child tiptoes over to find their stuffed animal and greets it with a hug (1 min).
3. Lie down with the stuffed animal on your tummy and watch it rise and fall as you breathe (1 min).
4. Whisper in its ear what you liked best about the room (1 min).
5. Sit up slowly and say together: "Bye, room, see you tomorrow" (1 min).

Rules

• I find my stuffed animal without pulling the others out of the basket.
• I lie down in my spot and stay still.
• I talk to my stuffed animal quietly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child rests in whatever position is comfortable, in the wheelchair or on the mat, with the stuffed animal on their lap.
• Autism: if the child never let go of the stuffed animal, they simply lie down with it; dim the lights and avoid sudden changes.
• Visual impairment: place the stuffed animal in the child's hands or guide them to it by voice.

Learning goals

• Calm down at the end of the session.
• Reunite with a comfort object after being apart.
• Remember what happened in the session.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large basket: 1
• Stuffed animals from home: 25
• Calm music

Teacher tip

If you notice a stuffed animal helped a child feel calm, mention it to the family at pickup. Keep the basket in plain sight so children know their toy is there the whole time.

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