Roll the Ball, Breathe Out

Sitting in pairs, children roll a ball very slowly to each other, breathing out as they push and breathing in as they receive. It brings them back to calm by linking rolling with breathing.

How to play

1. Sit in pairs facing each other with legs apart and rest the ball on your tummy to feel it rise and fall (1 min).
2. Breathe in through your nose and, as you slowly breathe out through your mouth, roll the ball to your partner (2 min).
3. The receiver breathes in while stopping the ball and lifting it to their chest, then rolls it back breathing out, slower each time (2 min).
4. Finish with both partners hugging their ball, eyes closed, listening to their breathing (1 min).
5. Put the ball down and stretch slowly, like a big yawn (1 min).

Rules

• The ball rolls very slowly.
• Breathe out without loud noises.
• Wait for your partner to be ready.
• Use library voices.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: pass the ball across a table, pushing it slowly with the same breathing rhythm.
• Autism: a "breathe in / breathe out" picture helps, along with always playing with the same partner.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the rhythm by slowly raising and lowering their hands.

Learning goals

• Lower energy levels after play.
• Coordinate a simple movement with breathing.
• Roll and receive the ball gently.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 13

Teacher tip

Lower your own voice from the start: children copy your pace. If someone speeds up, put your hand on the ball and roll with them.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary