The Quiet Tagging Turtle

A turtle crawls very slowly and quietly along the floor and gently taps the feet of children tiptoeing around; anyone tapped becomes a turtle too, until everyone is one and they hide in their shells. It brings the energy down with a slow, quiet tag game.

How to play

1. Everyone tiptoes in silence; the teacher gets on hands and knees as the first turtle (1 min).
2. The turtle inches forward and taps a foot; that child gets on hands and knees and is a turtle too (2 min).
3. The turtles keep tapping feet, always slowly and silently, until everyone is a turtle (1 min).
4. All the turtles tuck into their shells: kneeling, forehead to the floor, arms stretched forward (1 min).
5. We breathe inside our shells, feeling our backs rise and fall, then come out very slowly (1 min).

Rules

• I tiptoe quietly.
• The turtle goes very slowly and never runs.
• If my foot is tapped, I get on hands and knees.
• In my shell I breathe calmly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is a turtle in place, tapping the hands of those passing, or makes a seated shell by leaning forward.
• Autism: if a touch on the foot is unpleasant, the turtle taps the hand the child offers.
• Visual impairment: walks holding a buddy's hand, and the turtle gives a soft “knock, knock” before tapping.

Learning goals

• Move slowly with body control.
• Calm down after active play.
• Breathe while noticing the back.

Teacher tip

Dim the lights or whisper to mark the change in mood. Turtles tend to speed up; remind them “Turtles are never in a hurry.”

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