Hi, I’m Evie and today, we are going to dance our way from feeling annoyed to being calm, using some moves inspired by ballet.
First of all, let’s imagine we are a spider.
Stand really still with me.
Feet like this and place your hands in front of your waist, palms facing up.
Sometimes we can feel annoyed or upset, and it’s ok to feel like this.
But it’s important to know how to help ourselves when we feel this way, and movement can really help to calm us down.
I’m going to tell you a story, but first let's learn some moves.
Firstly, we're going to be robin.
Now, feet in first. We're going to bend and gently move our arms like wings.
And bring them back down.
Let's do that one more time.
Bend.
Beautiful.
Next, we're going to be a frog.
Keeping our feet like this.
We're going to bend down, put our hands on our hips, jump and bend down again.
One more time.
Bend, jump, down.
Very good, now we're going to be a swan.
So let's put our feet on our tippy toes.
Move them very quickly. And gracefully flap your wings like a swan.
Nice, very very good.
And finally, we're going to spin.
We're going to spin by moving our arms.
Like this.
Very good.
Listen to my story and try and keep up!
There was once a very unhappy spider who lived in a wood on the edge of Happytown.
Spider tried as hard as she could to feel less grumpy, but nothing seemed to work.
All the other animals in the wood seemed happy.
Robin spent most of her day flying from tree to tree.
Frog loved nothing more than leaping across lily pads.
And Swan loved gliding gracefully along the surface of the crystal clear pond without a care in the world.
All very happy and content!
So why did Spider feel so different?
Spider felt confused. Spider felt alone.
Spider felt like everything was building up inside her head.
Spider started to spin.
She span, and span, so confused and frustrated about how she felt.
A few spins later, she began to slow down.
She paused and looked around her.
Then she gasped!
Spider had spun the most beautiful web.
Spider realised that it was important to know when to slow things down, when to pause and take a break.
And that she was capable of beautiful things if she just took time to be calm.
Well done everyone!
Wow, I feel so much calmer now!
We danced our way from angry to calm, from annoyed to relaxed.
We slowed everything down to be at peace.
Let’s say together, “I feel peaceful.”
One more time, “I feel peaceful.”
Have a calm day.
I'll see you soon.
Bye.
CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill and Strictly Come Dancing champion and TV presenter Oti Mabuse get their dancing shoes on to teach some basic ballet moves that encourage children to slow down, pause and take a break.
Telling the story of a spider who is feeling unhappy, the class will replicate a spider spinning a beautiful web, to help explain the importance of occasionally slowing down when our emotions are in flux.
Spinning and associated movement has been shown to increase attentiveness and to help pupils process what has been taught in the classroom.
Slowing down and showing respect for our bodies can help us to stay healthy and well.
Teacher Notes
Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and lower KS2. Whole class movement.
When to use: Before or after break times to regulate / End of day.See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Emotional regulation.
Teachers can use this activity to encourage pupils to make and strengthen connections with others to provide greater stability and safety in their lives. This can help them to deal with change when it occurs and recognise when it is necessary, temporary or more permanent.
Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and support.
Enrichment activities
- "From Annoyed to Calm" Reflection Sheet
Prompt:“What makes you feel annoyed sometimes?”“What helps you calm down?”“How did dancing like the animals help you today?”
Finish by writing or tracing the sentence:"When I feel annoyed, I can move and breathe to feel peaceful."
More from Recharge:
Self-Belief Warriors. video
Dr Ranj Singh leads pupils through a series of strong and empowering poses, helping to create positive mindsets and develop feelings of self-worth.
A Moment in Nature. video
TV Presenter Rhys Stephenson encourages primary school pupils to employ all of their senses to enable them to deal with the day ahead.
Breathe and Be. video
TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse inspires pupils to explore breathwork and movement in this classroom activity.
Balance and Be. video
Olympian Bethany Shriever guides children using visualisation techniques to experiment how changing thoughts can affect our balance, mentally and physically.
Meditation Station - Feeling Thankful. video
Ade Adepitan introduces techniques to teach children how to control their breathing to regulate feelings and emotions.
Power Off. video
Dr Ranj Singh slows things down and gets pupils to be present and recognise when they're tense to help them feel calmer and more focused.
Take It Slow. video
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden mimics a sloth and combines imagination and yoga-inspired poses to help children relax.
Jungle Stretch. video
CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill uses slow, still and dynamic movements to encourage flexibility and mindfulness in children.
LOL Time. video
CBBC presenters Rhys Stephenson and Joe Tasker lead this fun activity that encourages children to work in pairs and make their partner laugh.
More from Moodboosters:
Boost. collection
Energetic, movement-based activities promoting self-confidence in children by encouraging them to use movement and positive thinking to build self-esteem.
Connect. collection
Fun, movement-based activities for children centring on relationships and how to recognise emotions in others through empathy.
Imagine. collection
Learning activities to promote creativity and optimism in children whilst encouraging them to use their imagination to envision their goals and aspirations.
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.
