The Beanbag Is Heavy and My Body Sinks

Lying on their backs, children get a beanbag placed on a hand, tummy or foot by the teacher and let that body part go soft and heavy, as if sinking into sand. It works relaxing one body part at a time and paying attention to sensations.

How to play

1. Lie on your back on the mat with eyes closed or looking at the ceiling (1 min).
2. The teacher places a beanbag on one hand: let it go heavy, like it's sinking (1 min).
3. Now on the other arm and on a foot: let those parts go soft (2 min).
4. Last beanbag on the tummy: watch it rise and fall as you breathe (1 min).
5. Take the beanbags off one by one, stretch and sit up slowly (1 min).

Rules

• I stay still on my mat.
• I use a quiet voice or no voice.
• If I don't want the beanbag, I show it with my hand.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do it seated in the wheelchair with beanbags on the hands, thighs or shoulders.
• Autism: they can have their favorite beanbag and choose where it goes; nobody touches them if they don't want it.
• Visual impairment: the teacher says out loud before placing each beanbag.

Learning goals

• Relax the body part by part.
• Notice the feeling of weight.
• Calm down after activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25
• floor mats: 25
• soft music

Teacher tip

Warm the beanbags a little in your hands before placing them; it feels much nicer. Ask each child's permission before touching them with the beanbag.

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