The Blocks Go to Sleep

At the end of the session, children tuck the blocks and cones into their bins like sleeping babies, moving slowly and quietly. Everyone helps put the equipment away while winding down with slow movements.

How to play

1. The teacher whispers that the blocks and cones are very tired from playing and getting sleepy (1 min).
2. Each child picks up a block and rocks it in their arms, tiptoeing and softly singing a made-up lullaby: “Go to sleep, little block, go to sleep now” (1 min).
3. Lay it in its bin very slowly, without a sound, and go back for another block (1 min).
4. Now tuck in the cones: stack them one at a time in their bin, as if pulling up the covers (1 min).
5. When everything is put away, lie down next to the bins and pretend to sleep with them (1 min).

Rules

• Sleeping blocks aren't tossed: we set them down gently.
• Tiptoe so you don't wake them.
• Talk in whispers.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair has a bin beside them and friends bring blocks for them to tuck in.
• Autism: give a fixed, specific job (tuck in only the cones) with a clear number.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher uses the sleep gesture (hands together at the cheek) and a finger on the lips.

Learning goals

• Move slowly and with control to calm down.
• Help put the equipment away.
• Take care of shared things.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic building blocks
• Storage bins: 3
• Cones

Teacher tip

Turning cleanup into a game makes it much faster and calmer. If someone tosses a block, whisper “Uh-oh, it's waking up!” and have them do it again slowly.

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