Sand Angels

Lying on their backs, children make angels in imaginary sand by opening and closing their arms and legs together, then with just one side. It's a calm-down that helps them feel the body's symmetry.

How to play

1. Lie on your back on the mats and imagine you're on a warm sandy beach (1 min).
2. Open and close your arms and legs together, very slowly, as if drawing an angel (1 min).
3. Just one arm and the leg on the same side draw half a wing (1 min).
4. Now the other side draws its half wing (1 min).
5. Both sides together again, slower and slower, until we're still (1 min).
6. Get up carefully so you don't smudge your angel, and look down at it (1 min).

Rules

• Move slowly, as if the sand were heavy.
• Stay on your own mat without touching your neighbor.
• When you get up, be careful not to step on the angels.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: arms only, or an adult guides the leg movements.
• Autism: a mat in a quiet corner and a scarf on the tummy to help them feel their body.
• Visual impairment: the teacher gently touches the part that's moving at each step.

Learning goals

• Move both halves of the body together symmetrically.
• Tell one side from the other with slow movements.
• Relax at the end of the session.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 6
• soft music

Teacher tip

Space the mats well apart so arms don't bump. On a nice day, try it in the sandbox so they can see a real angel print.

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