Introduction

In this blog post, we will discuss a calming activity that can help students in Special Education understand how their body feels and promote relaxation. By learning to recognize the signs of worry and relaxation in their bodies, students can develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills, both crucial aspects of Social-Emotional Learning. Let’s dive into this fun and easy-to-implement activity!

No-Prep Activity: Wiggling Body Scan

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator, making it an excellent choice for busy classrooms. Follow these simple steps to guide your students through the Wiggling Body Scan:

1. Have your students sit in a comfortable spot, either in their seats or on the floor.
2. Guide them to take a deep breath, filling their bellies, and then exhale slowly. Repeat this a few times to help them focus and relax.
3. Next, instruct your students to wiggle their toes, squeeze them tight, and then relax. Repeat this process a couple of times.
4. Move on to the legs, asking your students to wiggle their legs and then make them feel heavy, as if they were filled with sand.
5. Now, focus on the hands and arms. Have your students make their hands and arms tight like a robot, then loose and light. Shake them out to release any tension.
6. Ask your students to touch their necks and shoulders, then shrug their shoulders up (as if they were scared) and relax them down. Repeat this a few times.
7. Finally, guide your students to make their entire bodies loose and heavy, from their necks and shoulders to their arms, legs, and feet.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully led your students through the Wiggling Body Scan. Remember, practicing this activity regularly can help students feel more relaxed and aware of their body’s sensations.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Wiggling Body Scan, consider using the following questions to stimulate further discussions among your students:

• How did your body feel before and after the activity? Did you notice any changes?
• Which part of the activity did you find most relaxing? Why?
• How can you use this activity in your daily life to help you feel more relaxed and self-aware?
• What other activities or strategies can you think of that might help you feel more relaxed and in tune with your body?
• How can understanding your body’s feelings help you in your relationships with others?

Related Skills

In addition to self-awareness and self-regulation, the Wiggling Body Scan activity can help students develop other essential Social-Emotional Learning skills, such as:

• Stress management: By identifying areas of tension in their bodies, students can learn to manage stress more effectively.
• Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment and their body’s sensations can help students cultivate mindfulness.
• Empathy: Understanding their own feelings can help students become more empathetic towards the feelings of others.

Next Steps

If you found this activity helpful and would like to explore more resources for teaching Social-Emotional Learning skills to your students, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our materials at Everyday Speech. Our platform offers a wide range of activities, videos, and interactive games designed to help students develop essential life skills and foster emotional well-being.