The Feelings Thermometer Cools Down

Children squeeze their bodies tight as if they were really angry and slowly let go as the anger thermometer goes down. It builds noticing the difference between tension and relaxation and calming down.

How to play

1. Standing, the teacher shows the thermometer with an arm: up high is very angry, down low is very calm. Start at the top: whole body squeezed, fists, face and tummy tight (1 min).
2. The thermometer drops a little: relax the fists and shoulders and sink down a bit (1 min).
3. It drops more: relax the face, tummy and knees; sit down slowly like a melting snowman (1 min).
4. The thermometer reaches the bottom: lie down floppy like melted ice cream, with soft music, breathing slowly (2 min).
5. The teacher gently wiggles each child's arm or leg to check if it's floppy; sit up slowly (1 min).

Rules

• I squeeze hard but don't hurt myself.
• I let go when the thermometer drops.
• I stay in my spot without talking.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: squeeze and release whatever parts they can from the wheelchair, without lying down.
• Autism: don't touch the child at the end if they dislike it; let them check by wiggling their own hand.
• Visual impairment: describe out loud where the thermometer is and which body part we're on.

Learning goals

• Tell tension and relaxation apart.
• Connect anger with a tight body.
• Calm down step by step.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Soft music

Teacher tip

Keep the squeeze short, just a few seconds, and the release long. Ask before touching any child to check if they're floppy.

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