Pass the Feeling Around
In a circle, a feeling is passed from child to child like a gift: each one takes it on with face and body and hands it to the next. It builds paying attention to a classmate, imitation and turn-taking.
How to play
- Standing in a circle, the teacher makes a happy face and pose, turns to the child on the right and “hands over” the happy feeling (2 min).
- Each child receives the happy feeling, puts it in their body and passes it on until it goes all the way around (2 min).
- Now sadness travels, slowly; then anger, with a stomp; then fear, with a shiver (2 min).
- Two feelings at once: happy goes one way and calm goes the other; what happens when they meet? (2 min).
- To finish, a calm smile travels around, and when it gets back to the teacher everyone has it at once (2 min).
Rules
- I wait for the feeling to reach me.
- I look at my friend as I receive it.
- I pass it gently to the person next to me.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use small circles of six with an adult, passing only happy and sad.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use the whole circle with four feelings.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the feeling changes a little with each child (happiness getting bigger and bigger) and the two feelings cross.
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: pass the feeling with a sound or a word as well, touching the classmate's hand.
- Autism: allow passing the feeling with a card instead of a face.
- Limited mobility: join the circle from the wheelchair at the same level as others, or have everyone sit.
Learning goals
- Pay attention to a classmate's expression.
- Imitate feelings with face and body.
- Wait for a turn in a group.
Teacher tip
The smaller the circle, the shorter the wait: with 25 kids, run two circles. The moment the two feelings cross cracks them up; let them laugh, it's part of the fun.
PatioLab has "Pass the Feeling Around" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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