School closings, sick friends and family members, isolation at home – these and other factors can cause anxiety and stress for children during this COVID-19 outbreak.  As a child rights-based organisation, we’re sharing these drama-based relaxation exercises. 

Join your child in trying the Lazy Cat, the Turtle, the Lemon or all of these relaxation activities! You can Download a PDF version to guide you. 

Getting Started

• Find a quiet space away from distractions.
• If you're trying these exercises with a child or a group of children, make sure your instructions are clear and engaging.
• You don't have to do them all. Keep an eye on how long the children are engaged and try again another time.

Flower and Candle

 

• This is a simple exercise that encourages deep breathing – a way to relax.

  Pretend you have a nice smelling flower in one hand and a slow burning candle in the other.

• Breathe in slowly through your nose as you smell the flower.
• Breathe out slowly through your mouth as you blow out the candle.
• Repeat a few times.

Lemon

This exercise releases muscle tension. Pretend you have a lemon in your hand.

• Reach up to the tree and pick a lemon with each hand.
• Squeeze the lemons hard to get all the juice out – squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.
• Throw the lemons on the floor and relax your hands.
• Then repeat, until you have enough juice for a glass of lemonade!
• After your last squeeze and throw, shake out your hands to relax!

Lazy Cat

This exercise releases muscle tension.

Pretend you are a lazy cat that just woke up from a lovely long nap.

• Have a big yawn.
• And a meow.
• Now stretch out your arms, legs and back – slowly like a cat – and relax. 

Feather/Statue

This exercise releases muscle tension.

Pretend you are a feather floating through the air for about ten seconds.

• Suddenly you freeze and transform into a statue. Don’t move!
• Then slowly relax as you transform back into the floating feather again.
• Repeat, making sure to finish as a floaty feather in a relaxed state.

Stress Balls

This exercise releases muscle tension and massages your hands.

Make your own stress ball(s) by filling balloons with dry lentils or rice.

• Take the ball(s) in one or both hands and squeeze and release.
• Experiment with squeezing the ball. Find a way that is right for you, adjusting the speed, pressure, and timing of your squeezes to whatever way you like.

Turtle

This exercise releases muscle tension.

Pretend you are a turtle going for a slow, relaxed turtle walk.

• Oh no, it’s started to rain!
• Curl up tight under your shell for about ten seconds.
• The sun’s out again, so come out of your shell and return to your relaxing walk.
• Repeat a few times, making sure to finish with a walk so that your body is relaxed.

ENDS

For more information or to set up interviews contact: Sibusiso Khasa on 073 449 6871or [email protected]  

About: Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Note to the Editor: If children are affected, we’ve got something to say. Our team of experts are available for comments, interviews and information.