Rainbow Breathing
Draw a rainbow in the air with both arms: breathe in going up one side, out coming down the other. Then a slow stretch through each colour. Settles a group in three minutes.
Overview
You need
No equipment neededOptional: Scarves
Skills developed
- Breathing: slow, deliberate breaths
- Flexibility: gentle stretches
- Self-regulation: transition to calm
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Children sit cross-legged in a space, or stand with feet apart.
2Step 2
Coach faces them and demonstrates the rainbow arm arc.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Arms down. Breathe in as both arms rise up one side of the rainbow to the top. Breathe out as they come down the other side. Three rainbows.
- Colour stretches: RED reach up tall, ORANGE reach to one side, YELLOW to the other, GREEN fold forward, BLUE hug your knees, PURPLE lie back and rest.
- Finish with three quiet rainbows.
Tips for explaining
"Slow as a snail." The breath is the point.
"Reach for the top of the rainbow." Full stretch.
Make it easier / harder
EasierJust the rainbow breaths.
HarderHold each colour stretch for five slow breaths.
Safety
Gentle only. No forcing a stretch.
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Rather we ran it for you?
This is one of the games our coaches run in pre-schools every week, with our own equipment. Weekly enrichment, sports days, or a whole holiday programme for your centre, planned in one message.