Body Mind Breath™Animal play

Feedback from The London Brough of Hounslow’s Physical Literacy program.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

It is incorporated throughout the day, and has made a positive difference to both the children and the staff. The children correct the staff if they are not doing the animal posture properly. Children often say ‘I can do it’ about all the animals and enjoy demonstrating. Children use new language and say ‘I feel relaxed’ and ‘I feel calm’

Once Upon a Time day nursery

We have 2.5 year old child with a speech and language delay. We use the Big Breath before story time each day. One day the staff were trying to get the child to sleep and he was crying and did not want to sleep. He went over and joined in the circle and took part in the Big Breath, and then sat down for story time. He never does this normally. After the story, he went to bed. Children are all generally now much calmer. Children choose which animal to be when they are lining up to wash their hands

Kinderoos

We have had parents asking what it’s all about because the children are doing this at home. We have photocopied some information for one parent whose child screams and cries a lot. We have shown the parent the importance of nasal breathing, and now this child has calmed down. He was also grabbing other children a lot, and had to be moved away frequently. Recently this child went to grab a child and then stopped and moved himself away without being asked. It’s had a positive physical impact on the staff, we have more energy now

Berkeley Pre-School

We use the Big Breath after running to calm down, and before story time. We now have children who didn’t used to join in, sitting and listening to stories.

The program was delivered on three two- and half-hour sessions so it could be implemented straight away and time for feedback on developing a sustainable program for mental health and well-being within settings.