Raw Spaghetti, Cooked Spaghetti

Lying down, children are raw spaghetti, stiff and straight, that slowly softens after going into the pot. It works on feeling the difference between tension and relaxation to calm down.

How to play

1. Each child lies on their back on a mat while the teacher explains they are all spaghetti inside the package (1 min).
2. Raw spaghetti: squeeze the whole body stiff and straight as a stick while counting to three, then let go (1 min).
3. The teacher "drops them in the pot" and, in a slow voice, they soften part by part: feet, legs, tummy, arms and head (1 min).
4. The teacher walks by and gently lifts an arm or leg of each piece of spaghetti to check if it's soft yet (1 min).
5. The spaghetti is ready: breathe slowly and sit up very gently (1 min).

Rules

• Raw spaghetti squeezes, but never so hard it hurts.
• Cooked spaghetti stays floppy and quiet.
• I stay on my own mat.
• If the teacher lifts my arm, I let it drop softly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child can do it seated, squeezing and releasing the parts they control.
• Autism: ask before touching and respect it if the child prefers not to have an arm lifted; they can check it themselves.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher stays in view and shows "stiff" and "floppy" with their arms before lying down.

Learning goals

• Tell the difference between tense and relaxed muscles.
• Relax the body part by part.
• Calm down after activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 25

Teacher tip

Lower your voice and slow down as they soften; your tone does half the work. With a big group, you don't need to check everyone, just a few.

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