The Lying-Down Statue Scanner
Children lie still like statues while the teacher passes a scarf-scanner over them. It builds stillness, calm and body awareness to close the session.
How to play
- Everyone lies on their back: we're sleeping statues in the sculptor's workshop (1 min).
- The teacher passes a scarf over each statue, without touching, like a scanner that goes "beep" softly (2 min).
- When the scanner passes over, the teacher whispers "perfect statue" (1 min).
- For anyone who wants it, the scarf gently brushes the arms and legs, and the statue feels the tickle without moving (1 min).
- The scanner turns off and the statues wake up with a stretch (1 min).
Rules
- Statues don't talk or move.
- We breathe slowly through the nose.
- If you don't want the scarf to touch you, cross your hands on your tummy.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the scanner moves quickly with more "beeps" to hold attention.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the scanner moves slowly and silently.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a child is the scanner with the teacher alongside, then lies back down.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: be a statue sitting in the wheelchair or on a mat in a comfortable position.
- Autism: explain beforehand that the scarf may brush them and agree that crossed hands means "don't touch."
- Visual impairment: the teacher whispers the child's name when the scanner reaches them.
Learning goals
- Stay still lying down.
- Calm down after active play.
- Notice sensations in their own body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Scarf: 1
Teacher tip
Dim the lights and speak very softly: your voice does half the work. If someone giggles, the scanner just waits beside them quietly.
PatioLab has "The Lying-Down Statue Scanner" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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