Watering Can Breaths

Sitting in a circle, children fill the watering can by breathing in and water the plants by breathing out very slowly with a "ssss." They practice breath control to calm down at the end of the session.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, the teacher shows the watering can: first it fills up, then it pours water out little by little (1 min).
2. Fill the watering can: breathe in slowly through your nose while raising one arm like the handle (1 min).
3. Water the plants: breathe out through your mouth, nice and long, with a "ssss" like water, and lower your arm (1 min).
4. Water different plants: a short sprinkle for the lettuce and a super long one for the tree (1 min).
5. The empty watering can lies down to rest: lie down and breathe calmly with hands on your tummy (1 min).

Rules

• Air comes in through the nose and out through the mouth.
• Water comes out slowly so the plants don't drown.
• Listen quietly to your friends' "ssss."

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do it the same way from the wheelchair, with whichever arm moves or no arm at all.
• Hearing impairment: the real watering can in the teacher's hand shows when to fill (up) and when to water (tilted).
• Trouble with long breaths: any gentle breath counts; hold a scarf in front to watch it move.

Learning goals

• Tell the difference between breathing in and breathing out.
• Lengthen the out-breath to calm down.
• End the session with a calm body.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Watering can: 1

Teacher tip

If you're in the garden, the last "sprinkle" can be watering a real plant with the can, taking turns in silence. Set the breathing pace yourself, slower than seems necessary.

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