Pose Story: The Quiet Safari

Children go on safari and, at each stop, become the animal they see: giraffe, cobra, lion, flamingo, elephant and crocodile. They mix balance, strength and stretching poses inside an adventure.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, we climb into the pretend jeep, buckle up and start with a «vroom» (2 min).
2. First stop: the giraffe eats high leaves; on tiptoes, arms up, long neck. Then the cobra comes out of the grass: lying on the belly, lift the chest and go «sss» (3 min).
3. Second stop: the lion wakes up; kneeling, hands on knees, open the mouth wide, stick out the tongue and roar without yelling (2 min).
4. Third stop: flamingos at the lake; stand on one foot, other leg bent, arms like wings. Switch feet (3 min).
5. Fourth stop: the elephant walks swinging its trunk (arms together hanging down) and the crocodile lies on its belly sunbathing with its mouth open (arms opening and closing) (3 min).
6. Drive back in the jeep and remember the animals; each child shows their favorite pose (2 min).

Rules

• No running on safari: it scares the animals.
• I make the pose and hold it while the teacher counts.
• The lion roars with its face, not by yelling.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do giraffe, lion and elephant from the chair, and cobra with the chest resting on a table.
• Visual impairment: the teacher describes each pose in detail and places arms and legs with permission.
• Less balance: do flamingo with one hand on the wall or on a buddy's shoulder.

Learning goals

• Balance on one foot.
• Link poses within a story.
• Stretch up and back without forcing.

Teacher tip

Lion pose (mouth wide, tongue out) is a hit and relaxes the face, but tell them it's a silent roar. In a small room, ride the jeep seated and do each animal in place.

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