Smell the Flowers, Blow the Candles
Children move around the space and, on a signal, stop to smell an imaginary flower by breathing in through the nose or to blow out birthday candles that are the fingers of one hand. It warms up the body while practicing breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
How to play
- The teacher shows the two gestures: an open hand by the nose is the flower we smell slowly, and five raised fingers are the candles we blow out (1 min).
- Children walk all around the space to the drum; when the drum stops and the teacher says "Flower!", they freeze and smell their flower with eyes closed (1 min).
- Now they hop like bunnies; on "Cake!", they stop and blow out the candles one by one, folding down a finger with each puff (1 min).
- The teacher alternates flower and cake while children tiptoe, crawl, or take giant steps (2 min).
- To finish, everyone "eats" their slice of cake, smells the bouquet one last time, and walks slowly to the circle (1 min).
Rules
- I smell the flower with my nose and blow the candle with my mouth.
- When the drum stops, I freeze.
- I blow on my own cake, not on a friend's face.
- I walk in the empty spaces without bumping.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just one big candle (the pointer finger), and the teacher always shows the gesture while saying the word.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, five candles, and they change the way they move each round.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls out how many candles (2, 3, 4...) and they blow out exactly that many.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child moves in a wheelchair or walker and does the hand gestures like everyone else.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up a paper flower or a drawn candle instead of saying the word.
- Autism: preview the two picture cards on the board and let the child play in a fixed spot if moving around is overwhelming.
Learning goals
- Tell the difference between breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
- Warm up with different ways of moving.
- Respond to a signal by stopping.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hand drum
Teacher tip
Ham up the "Mmm, it smells so good!" when smelling, or many kids will breathe in through the mouth. A common mistake is blowing so hard they get dizzy, so ask for "little candle" puffs.
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