Retracing My Footsteps Home

Each child draws a short path in chalk and walks it slowly forward and then backward, breathing with every step, to get back home. It works on slow walking along a line and winding down with focus.

How to play

1. Sitting down, each child, alone or with a partner, draws a short chalk path with one curve and a little house at the end (1 min).
2. We walk our path forward very slowly, placing one foot right in front of the other (1 min).
3. We walk back along the same path backward, looking over our shoulder and breathing with every step (1 min).
4. We walk a friend's path slowly, and they walk ours (1 min).
5. We're home: we sit inside our little house, close our eyes and take three breaths (1 min).

Rules

• Walk very slowly along the line.
• One foot in front of the other, no rushing.
• Breathe with every step.
• Take care of your friend's path.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they trace the path with a finger on the ground or on a big sheet of paper, at their own pace.
• Visual impairment: mark the path with a rope so they can feel it with their foot.
• Autism: they can draw and walk their own path alone, without trading with a partner.

Learning goals

• Walk slowly along a line.
• Move backward calmly.
• Relax after activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sidewalk chalk: 4

Teacher tip

Have the chalk ready in a bucket so no time is wasted. It's perfect for ending sessions with lots of running; the drawing calms them before they even start walking.

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