The Cat's Nap in Three Poses

Children are cats looking for the comfiest nap pose: on the back, on the side and on the tummy, moving between them by rolling very slowly. They cool down by revisiting the positions they practiced and focusing on breathing.

How to play

1. With soft music, each cat finds a mat and lies on its back with its tummy in the sun (1 min).
2. The cat breathes slowly and feels its tummy rise and fall (1 min).
3. It rolls slowly onto its side, curled like a donut, and breathes (1 min).
4. It keeps rolling onto its tummy with its cheek resting on its hands (1 min).
5. The cat wakes up: it stretches like a cat, meows softly and sits up (2 min).

Rules

• Cats roll in slow motion.
• No talking at nap time: just purring.
• Each cat on its own mat.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: nap in the chair, changing arm and head positions.
• Hearing impairment: signal each change with a gentle tap on the shoulder.
• Autism: dim the lights and let the child stay in one pose if that feels good.

Learning goals

• Calm down after intense activity.
• Revisit lying on the back, side and tummy.
• Control breathing at rest.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 12
• Soft music

Teacher tip

Lower your voice little by little and don't rush the changes. If someone actually falls asleep, the cat did its job.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary