Hi, I'm Bethany and today we are going to imagine ourselves as different animals and use these creatures to show how we are feeling.
Let's start by warming up our entire body with different animal movements.
Firstly reach up really tall like a jolly giraffe. Everyone being a jolly giraffe? Let me see them smiles and giggles.
Okay, next curl up small like an anxious ant. Down we go is everyone looking anxious?
Who's the smallest ant I can see there?
Okay, great. Great anxious ant there.
Now stand on one leg like a focused flamingo.
Is everyone focused there? I want to see everyone being focused.
Great animal actions and emotions there.
Today I've been feeling a bit stuck. Do you know that feeling?
I think if we do some more animal emotions or animotions together, you can help me to shift out of my stuck feeling. It will help us feel free.
Let's start by being like an angry bear.
Think of a time when you felt angry, how did your body feel?
Did you feel fizzy, shaky or ready to pop? Now are you ready to transform into an angry bear?
Go.
Let me see them angry bears everyone. That's really very angry that is, okay.
Right next up a nervous turtle.
Think of a time when you felt nervous. How did your body feel? Did you feel tiny, shaky or ready to hide?
Okay, ready to be nervous turtles? Go.
Oh great nervous turtles everyone.
So we're looking around. Okay.
Finally, we're going to move like a proud peacock.
Think of a time where you felt proud. How did your body feel?
Did you feel strong and powerful? Okay, go proud peacocks.
Let me see those proud faces everyone. Like you’ve just won a gold medal.
Okay.
Now it's your turn. Pick an animal that represents how you feel today.
Will it be something slow and shy, fast and frenzied, ferocious or calm?
Or something in the middle?
You show yours and I'll do mine.
Ready?
Go.
Right, look around.
Can you guess what your friends are?
Can you guess what I am?
Yes, I'm an excited kangaroo because I've loved seeing all your animotions.
Sometimes we can feel stuck in a feeling and we worry we might feel like that forever.
It's really important to do something to shift how you're feeling and moving can really help us to do that.
I don't feel stuck anymore. I feel free.
Can you say that out loud? I feel free.
Ready?
I feel free.
I hope to see you again soon. Bye.
Join GB Olympics champion Bethany Shriever in this classroom activity as she incorporates a variety of animal-inspired movements to help children communicate different emotions and feelings.
Using movements which represent being scared or anxious to strong and confident, pupils realise that using their imagination can help them to shift out of a stuck emotion.
This activity helps pupils regain a sense of control over their emotional state, as well as gifting them the language to more effectively express how they feel at different times.
Teacher Notes
- Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and KS2. Whole class movement.
- When to use: Release emotion after breaktimes
See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Emotional regulation.
Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and support.
More from Imagine:
Let's Be Heroes. video
TV presenter and Paralympian Ade Adepitan asks pupils to act as superheroes in this classroom activity promoting feelings of being brave and strong.
Show Time. video
Amy Dowden asks pupils to use their imagination to perform in a spectacular cabaret show to help celebrate their uniqueness and show courage.
Haunted House. video
CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson leads a fun haunted house activity where children use their imagination to overcome spooky obstacles.
Space Dreamers. video
Dr Ranj uses dream-like visualisations alongside dynamic and slower mindful movements to encourage a feeling of calm in this space adventure activity.
Future Thinkers. video
CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson steps into a time machine and encourages children to dream big and imagine future job roles in this classroom activity.
Classroom Sleepwalking. video
Evie Pickerill leads this fun activity where she uses sleepwalk role play to remind pupils they are ultimately in control of their own emotions.
Life is a Rollercoaster. video
Ade Adepitan gets pupils to imagine they’re on a rollercoaster to symbolise the ups and downs of life and remind them they can control different feelings.
We Are Champions. video
Olympic gold medallist Bethany Shriever encourages children to try out a variety of dance styles which represent the ups and downs of being a champion.
Signature Moves. video
Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden guides a classroom activity featuring a dance routine that encourages and empowers children to be themselves.
More from Moodboosters:
Connect. collection
Fun, movement-based activities for children centring on relationships and how to recognise emotions in others through empathy.
Recharge. collection
Activities to help children become aware of the importance of self-care, whilst building resilience and recognising what makes them special.
Boost. collection
Energetic, movement-based activities promoting self-confidence in children by encouraging them to use movement and positive thinking to build self-esteem.
Teacher's guide
Curriculum-linked ideas and tips about how you can use Moodboosters with your class during the school day.
Watch again - our live launch. video
Watch highlights as children from around the nations join together for a big mood-boosting moment.
About Moodboosters
Everything you need to know about our initiative to get KS1 / KS2 pupils moving for mental health and wellbeing.
