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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.

Illustration of the PE activity The Lying-Down Statue Scanner
PhaseCool-down
Duration6 min
Ages3–6
SpaceGym or classroom
Equipmenthandkerchief
IntensityLow

How to play

  1. Everyone lies on their back: we're sleeping statues in the sculptor's workshop (1 min).
  2. The teacher passes a scarf over each statue, without touching, like a scanner that goes "beep" softly (2 min).
  3. When the scanner passes over, the teacher whispers "perfect statue" (1 min).
  4. For anyone who wants it, the scarf gently brushes the arms and legs, and the statue feels the tickle without moving (1 min).
  5. The scanner turns off and the statues wake up with a stretch (1 min).

Rules

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

Learning goals

Equipment for a class of 25

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.

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