Pass the Pretend Candle

Sitting in a circle, children pass a pretend candle in cupped hands, very slowly and without blowing, so it doesn't go out. The whole class tries to get the candle all the way around in silence, practicing calm, focus and caring for others.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle with the lights low, the teacher pretends to light a candle in cupped hands and looks at it very carefully (1 min).
2. The teacher passes the candle very slowly to the next child, hands to hands, whispering: “Don't let it go out” (1 min).
3. The candle goes around the circle; each child looks at it for a moment, breathes through the nose so it stays lit and passes it on (1 min).
4. Halfway around, the teacher whispers “The candle is calm” and we all take three very slow breaths together while it keeps traveling (1 min).
5. When it gets back to the teacher, we all blow very gently together to put it out and sit in silence (1 min).

Rules

• I pass the candle very slowly with both hands.
• I don't talk while the candle is traveling.
• I breathe through my nose so it doesn't go out.
• I wait calmly for my turn.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the neighbor brings their hands to the child's hands so they don't need to turn.
• Autism: pass a real soft object instead if the pretend one is hard to follow.
• Visual impairment: hands touch gently during the pass and the neighbor whispers their name.

Learning goals

• Calm down after activity.
• Keep attention on a slow, precise movement.
• Care for something shared by everyone.

Teacher tip

Never use real candles or LED tea lights with small batteries. Someone may “blow it out” as a joke; if so, relight it with a smile and keep going.

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