The Palm-to-Palm Accordion

Sitting face to face, partners press their palms together and become an accordion: they open their arms a little as they breathe in and slowly bring them back together as they breathe out. It brings everyone back to calm by syncing breath with a partner.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates with a child: sitting cross-legged, palm to palm; breathing in opens the accordion and breathing out closes it (1 min).
2. Pairs make three very slow accordions, following the teacher's voice (1 min).
3. Musical accordion: as they breathe out, they make a soft “mmmm” sound together (1 min).
4. Switch partners with the child next to you; now the accordion opens upward, stretching the arms (1 min).
5. Let go of hands, place your own hands on your tummy, and feel it rise and fall (1 min).

Rules

• I touch my friend's palms softly.
• We breathe slowly together.
• If I don't want to touch, I leave a little space between our hands.
• We only talk with “mmmm.”

Variations

Adaptations

• Autism: the child can make the accordion with a sheet of paper or a scarf between palms, or with no contact, an inch apart.
• Limited mobility: the partner sits facing the wheelchair at the child's level.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows opening and closing with clearly visible hands.

Learning goals

• Slow the heart rate down after play.
• Link movement and breathing.
• Sync with a partner through gentle touch.

Teacher tip

Speak very softly and slowly: your voice sets the accordion's pace. If someone pushes, remind them hands “brush like two feathers.”

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