Lithuania Kursenai Kindergarten “Buratinas” Relaxing games February 2011

STROKE CHAINLET Kids are sitting one behind another “on a train”. The last “leader” is stroking the head of a kid sitting in front thus the stroke chainlet proceeds. When all the participants have tuned in the head stroking, the leader changes action (e.g., starts stroking the spine, shoulders, etc.). Stroking, massage, brushing the spine are thereby being further transmitted by the chainlet.

BREAD BAKING (Massage) Kids make couples whereby one kid lies down on a mattress (mat) face down and the other kneels down next to him/her. The kids perform massage movements along a playmate’s spine. Next, the kids change places. Rules of the game: to treat a playmate gently. Hard pushing, pinching or tickling is not allowed. If a kid does not enjoy being massaged, he/she must report it immediately. The kids are simulating a story told by the preceptress mimicking the movements on the spine of a playmate. We are plowing the ground: Brushing along the spine top to bottom with palm sides. We are harrowing the ground: Brushing along the spine top to bottom with splayed fingertips in a slightly flexuous manner. We are sowing rye: Gently poking the spine top to bottom with fingertips. We are harrowing the rye sown: Brushing along the spine top to bottom a few times with splayed fingertips in a slightly flexuous manner. The sun is shining and warming the ground: Gliding along the entire spine with gentle circular palm movements. The rain is watering the ground: Poking gently the entire spine with fingertips. Grains are springing: Pressing gently along the spine with fingertips. The sun is shining and warming the ground: Gliding along the entire spine with gentle circular palm movements. The rain is watering the ground: Poking gently the entire spine with fingertips. We are cutting ripe grain: Brushing across the spine from one side to the other with palm sides (the palms shall pass each other). We are threshing grain: Poking gently the entire spine with fists. We are grinding grain: Gliding along the entire spine with circular movements of fist sides. We are baking many loaves of bread: Poking gently the spine top to bottom with palms.

SUN The game shall be played with kids standing on a mat. The preceptress is placidly describing the course of the game actions and performing the said actions together with kids. Quiet music can be on. It is midday. The sun is high in the sky: Kids standing raise their hands high above the head. Clouds are scudding across the sky: Mimicking the scud with raised hands. The sun is screened: Slowly lowering the hands over the sides. Kids are lying down on the sand for a rest: Lying down on the back. Trying to leave their imprints in the sand: Hands and feet may be spread out or tightened while lying (relaxation is important). Making an imprint of the head: Stretching the head and neck muscles. Making an imprint of the hands: Stretching the hand muscles. Making an imprint of the back: Stretching the back muscles. Making an imprint of the legs: Stretching the leg muscles. Kids are getting up after a rest: Getting up slowly. The sun reappears high in the sky: Slowly raising the outstretched hands over the sides. It is getting late. The sun is setting slowly: Slowly lowering the outstretched hands over the sides.

IT IS SNOWING (PLAY OF LEAVES) The same option may be played by mimicking tree leaves. The exercises can be done in silence, shifting the tone of speaking or applying a musical record. Napkins and headscarves can be used to mimic snowflakes. Snowflakes are twirling: Kids are slowly whirling and walking. The wind is beginning to breeze up. Snowflakes are twirling faster: Kids are whirling faster. The wind is calming down: Kids are whirling slower. The wind has calmed down. Snowflakes are falling down to the ground: Kids are lying down on the ground. Here comes the breeze again. Snowflakes are twirling slowly: Kids are getting up, slowly whirling and walking. The wind is getting stronger: Kids are whirling faster. Here comes the snowstorm: Kids are spinning. The snowstorm is subsiding: Kids are whirling slower. A soft breeze is blowing: Kids are whirling very slowly. The wind is quiet. Snowflakes are falling down to the ground: Kids are lying down on the ground. They lie on the ground for a few minutes with their eyes closed.

FINGER GAME “RAIN” Five jolly droplets(moving fingers) Are falling down to earth.(squatting and mimicking) Shall we ask the droplets(clapping hands) To tell us their names.(clapping hands) Tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk(thumping the table with a bent thumb) Tam-tam-tam-tam(index finger) Tim-tim-tim-tim(middle finger) Tik-tik-tik-tik(ring finger) Tip-tip-tip-tip.(little finger)

NIGHT AND DAY A kid / the preceptress shall act an owl (the leader). When he/she pronounces “daytime”, the kids shall mimic birds: walk, fly, peck, or think of other motions. When he/she pronounces “nighttime”, the kids must freeze on the spot and stand still. Meanwhile, the owl is walking and watching a child stir. The one who stirs shall leave the game or forfeit. The leader says “daytime” again and the children shall start moving. When they hear “nighttime”, they all shall stiffen and so on. The last kid not to have stirred shall become a new leader.