The Little Boat Resting in the Harbor

Sitting and hugging their knees, children are little boats rocking on the waves, then resting still on their bottoms with their feet slightly off the floor. It's a cool-down that seeks seated balance and calm breathing.

How to play

1. Sitting on the floor with knees bent and hugged: we're little boats in the harbor (1 min).
2. Small waves come: we rock gently forward and back (1 min).
3. The sea calms down: the boat rests still on its bottom, hands loose on top of the knees (1 min).
4. The boat floats: we lift our feet a little off the floor and hold, counting to three (1 min).
5. Drop the anchor: feet on the floor and we slowly lie back (1 min).
6. With a hand on our tummy, we feel it rise and fall like harbor water (1 min).

Rules

• The waves are small: I rock gently.
• When the sea is calm, I stay still.
• If my boat tips over, I sit back up and keep going.
• Every boat has its own spot in the harbor.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the boat rocks from a chair or seated with the back against the wall.
• Hearing impairment: show the waves by moving a blue cloth in front of the group.
• Less skilled children or low muscle tone: they can put their hands behind them on the floor so they don't roll.

Learning goals

• Balance while seated on a small base.
• Control rocking until coming to stillness.
• Relax with belly breathing.

Teacher tip

Do this on mats or a rug so no one bumps their head rolling back. Use a slow, sing-song voice, as if telling a story.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary