Nico's Day of Big Feelings

The teacher tells a made-up movement story about Nico's day, and children act out everything Nico does and feels. It builds understanding that one day brings many feelings and how they move through the body.

How to play

1. Nico wakes up calm in bed: lying on the mat, we stretch slowly and yawn (2 min).
2. Nico heads to school feeling happy: hop from hoop to hoop like puddles and wave to everyone (3 min).
3. At recess someone takes Nico's ball and he gets angry: stomps, tight fists... then Nico takes three deep breaths to calm down (3 min).
4. Night comes and there's a noise: Nico is scared and hides under the blanket (curl up on the mat). It was just the cat! We laugh (3 min).
5. Nico misses his grandma and feels sad: walk slowly; a friend gives him a hug and Nico plays catch with everyone using the big ball (3 min).
6. Nico goes back to bed feeling calm and thinks, “Today I felt everything.” Lie down and close your eyes (1 min).

Rules

• I listen to the story to know what to do.
• I move like Nico without bumping.
• Nico's anger goes into the floor, not into friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Autism: tell the story with picture cards in order and warn before the noise part.
• Hearing loss: support the story with pictures or big teacher gestures.
• Limited mobility: turn hoop hopping into moving from hoop to hoop in the wheelchair or with the arms.

Learning goals

• Identify feelings within a story.
• Act out feelings and actions with the body.
• Learn gestures that help us feel better.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 25
• Large ball: 1
• Hoops: 8

Teacher tip

Tell it with lots of expression and pauses, letting bodies lead the words. You can change the main character's name, but it's best not to match anyone in the class.

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