The Sleepy Die

A very tired giant die has six calm-down moves on its faces: breathe like a balloon, stretch like a cat, yawn, give yourself a hug, rub your arms and stay still as a statue. The teacher rolls it very slowly, and everyone does the calm move that comes up.

How to play

1. Sit in a circle. The teacher introduces the sleepy die, which yawns and can barely roll, and shows its six faces (1 min).
2. The teacher nudges it very slowly, and we do the first calm move that comes up, following the teacher's slow voice (1 min).
3. Taking turns, three children push the die gently, without throwing it, and we do each calm move counting slowly to five (2 min).
4. Lie down on our backs as the die rolls once more: do that calm move lying down, even more slowly (1 min).
5. Last roll: the die falls asleep on the statue face, and we stay still with eyes closed, listening to our breathing (1 min).

Rules

• The sleepy die gets pushed, not thrown.
• Do the calm move slowly and without talking.
• When the die falls asleep, we stay still.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: all calm moves can be done sitting; bring the die close so the child can push it by hand.
• Visual impairment: the teacher describes each face, and moves are guided with a hand on the shoulder.
• Autism: if closing their eyes is uncomfortable, the child can gaze at the die while breathing.

Learning goals

• Return to calm with gentle moves and breathing.
• Notice how the body feels after playing.
• Control force when pushing an object.

Equipment for a class of 25

• dado gigante: 1
• tarjetas con dibujos de calma: 6

Teacher tip

Speak as slowly as the die: your voice is what calms them. If a child throws the die hard, the die “wakes up” and everyone has to put it back to sleep with a group yawn.

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