1. Warm-Up & Grounding
(10 mins) |
The Ringmaster’s Circle:
Children gather seated in a circle. Rubbing hands together, then stroking legs, arms, and cheeks to feel warm. Stamping heavy feet into the imaginary sawdust (“heavy elephants”), then walking on light tiptoes around the ring without bumping. Stretching tall like the big top tent.
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Body Awareness & Proprioception:
Self-touch activates sensory boundaries and tactile awareness. Contrasting polarities (heavy vs light) build motor inhibition and control.
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2. Circus Animals
(10 mins) |
Locomotion & Levels:
Children transform into circus creatures:
- Lions: Creeping low on hands and knees, stalking, then roaring softly.
- Horses: High-stepping trotting, shaking manes, changing direction on a tambourine cue.
- Elephants: Interlocking hands swinging trunk side to side with deep side-bends.
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Spatial Levels & Direction:
Explores high, medium, and low levels of locomotion. Cross-lateral movement (crawling) strengthens hemispheric brain integration.
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3. Acrobats & Tightropes
(15 mins) |
Balance & Tumbling:
Laying ribbons across the floor as tightropes. Children walk heel-to-toe with arms outstretched as balancing poles. Next, balancing soft cushions on heads or knees while freezing like statues. Finally, supervised gentle rolling like tumblers across soft mats.
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Core Stability & Equilibrium:
Vestibular stimulation through rolling and heel-to-toe gait tracking. Postural alignment and self-trust in physical capability.
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4. Flying Chiffon & Ribbons
(10 mins) |
Juggling & Flow:
Children receive sheer coloured chiffon scarves. Throwing them high and watching them drift gently downwards, catching on hands, noses, or feet. Swirling silk ribbons in circular figure-of-eight spirals like trapeze artists.
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Visual Tracking & Bilateral Flow:
Eye tracking slow-moving objects enhances reading readiness. Upper body extension and continuous flowing expressive pathways.
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5. Sleepy Big Top Cooldown
(5–10 mins) |
Relaxation & Breathing:
Scarves float down to rest as blankets. Children lie comfortably on mats. Breathing in gently (“smelling the circus candy”) and sighing out (“blowing out the circus candles”). Gentle chime or soft lullaby played.
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Self-Regulation & Calm:
Lowers physiological arousal back to resting state. Encourages mindfulness and positive transition back to regular nursery routines.
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