Tucking the Chairs In to Sleep

At the end of the session the chairs are tired, so the children quietly carry them to their tables and tuck them in very gently, like putting a baby to bed. It brings the energy down, tidies the room and practices moving a chair safely.

How to play

1. The teacher whispers that the chairs are worn out from all the playing and we must take them to bed without a sound (1 min).
2. Each child picks up their chair with both hands on the seat, legs down, and tiptoes to their table (2 min).
3. Slide the chair under the table very slowly so it makes no noise, then pat its back (1 min).
4. Sit on the floor next to our sleeping chair and softly sing a made-up lullaby: “Sleep, little chair, sleep now” (1 min).
5. Take three very gentle breaths so we don't wake it, then stand up quietly (1 min).

Rules

• We carry the chair with two hands and the legs pointing down.
• Chairs are sleeping: no dragging or banging.
• We talk in whispers.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: tucks in a chair by pushing it under the table from their wheelchair, or sings the lullaby to a classmate's chair.
• Autism: the song and steps are always the same at the end of every session, as a closing routine.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher makes the sleep gesture (hands together against the cheek) to start and finish.

Learning goals

• Lower energy at the end of the session.
• Carry a chair safely.
• Help keep the classroom tidy.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs: 25
• Tables: 6

Teacher tip

If you do it every day it becomes the closing ritual and the room tidies itself. The usual mistake is dragging the chair; the noise is the clue that it should be carried.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary