Stomp the Mad Away

Children learn that anger can be moved out of the body without hurting anyone: stomping inside a hoop, running to the wall and back, and breathing at the end. It builds safe energy release and self-regulation.

How to play

1. Each child stands in their own hoop. The teacher explains that anger is like a fire in your tummy that needs to come out without hurting anyone (2 min).
2. Stomp inside the hoop while the drum beats loudly: the anger goes out through the feet. When the drum stops, freeze (2 min).
3. Shake the anger out of arms and hands, like flicking off water, and throw it far down to the floor (2 min).
4. Anger run: run to the wall, push it hard with both hands for a count of five and walk back to the hoop (3 min).
5. Blow out the last bit of anger like a giant candle, three times, softer each time (2 min).
6. Sitting inside the hoop, hands on tummy: “The fire is gone.” Notice the heart feeling calmer (1 min).

Rules

• Anger goes into the floor or the wall, never into a friend.
• Everyone goes back to their own hoop.
• When the drum stops, I stop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: instead of stomping, pat legs or the wheelchair tray hard, and push the wall with the arms.
• Autism: warn before the noise changes and allow stomping without the drum, with the teacher signaling by hand.
• Visual impairment: run holding a buddy's hand or follow the teacher's voice by the wall.

Learning goals

• Release energy safely.
• Learn ways to calm anger through movement.
• Notice how the body changes afterward.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1
• Hoops: 25

Teacher tip

Tell them these are “tools” for when they're really angry, and bring them back in the classroom. Pushing a wall hard is very calming; make sure the wall is clear of hooks and corners.

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