The Pizza We Make on Your Back

In pairs, one child lies face down while the other "makes" a pizza on their back: kneading the dough, spreading the sauce, adding toppings and sliding it into the oven. It builds relaxation through touch and caring for a partner.

How to play

1. Get into pairs; one lies face down with their head on their hands, which is the kitchen counter (1 min).
2. The chef kneads the dough with both hands, pressing gently all over the back (1 min).
3. Spread the sauce with the palm in big circles and sprinkle the cheese with tiny finger taps (1 min).
4. Add the toppings the teacher calls out: olives with one finger, mushrooms with the whole hand, then bake it by resting both hands still on the back (1 min).
5. Switch roles and the other chef makes a pizza (1 min).
6. Both lie down, smell the pretend pizza and breathe slowly (1 min).

Rules

• I touch softly, like the dough is made of cotton.
• If my partner doesn't like something, I stop.
• I only touch the back, not the head or neck.
• We cook our pizza quietly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child sits leaning on a table, or gets the pizza on their arms.
• Autism: they can choose not to receive the massage and make the pizza on a pillow or stuffed animal.
• Hearing loss: the teacher shows each topping on a picture card and models it on their own arm first.

Learning goals

• Relax through a partner's gentle touch.
• Control how hard they press.
• Ask for and respect permission to touch.

Teacher tip

Before starting, each chef asks "Can I make you a pizza?" and waits for a yes. Kids tend to pound the toppings; model it on your own arm with very light fingers.

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