Rocking the Stuffed Animal in a Towel

In pairs, children hold a towel by its corners with a stuffed animal on top and rock it very slowly while singing a lullaby. It brings everyone back to calm with a gentle shared sway and practices caring for something little together.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates with a child: each holds two corners of the towel, the stuffed animal goes in the middle, and they rock it side to side without dropping it (1 min).
2. In pairs, they rock the animal very slowly while the teacher softly sings a traditional lullaby (for example, “Rock-a-Bye Baby,” or “A la nanita, nana,” a classic Spanish lullaby) (1 min).
3. Rock up and down, like little waves, keeping eyes on the stuffed animal (1 min).
4. Switch partners: set the towel down, find a new classmate, and rock another stuffed animal while everyone sings more quietly (1 min).
5. The stuffed animal falls asleep: they lay it on the floor with the towel as a blanket, without a sound (1 min).
6. Children lie down next to their stuffed animal, close their eyes, and gently rock themselves a little (1 min).

Rules

• We rock very slowly so the animal doesn't fall.
• We sing softly.
• When we switch partners, we set the towel down gently.
• We don't wake the sleeping animal.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child holds the towel from the wheelchair and the partner stays at their level.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the rocking rhythm with an arm, and the child watches their partner's face.
• Autism: the child may rock a stuffed animal alone in a small towel if they don't want to share.

Learning goals

• Slow the body down after activity.
• Coordinate gentle rocking with a partner.
• Take care of something together.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Towels: 13
• Stuffed animals: 13

Teacher tip

Use hand towels and small, soft stuffed animals. If kids don't know a lullaby, humming works just fine.

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