KS2 Wellbeing Lesson 1

Pass the parcel – Give half of the class a small object to throw (e.g., tennis ball, beanbag). Explain that they are going to run about the space. When they hear a command (a whistle or a shout), a child holding a ball must find a child without equipment to ‘Pass the Parcel with’. This involves them standing opposite each other about 1 metre apart and throwing the ball for the partner to catch. Once thrown and caught, they carry on running about the space.

Extension: Increase the number of throws to Pass the Parcel (make sure it is an odd number to swap over who carries the object). Change the equipment e.g. different-sized ball.

• Get children into pairs standing opposite each other roughly 1 metre apart. Each child needs a small object that can be thrown and caught in one hand, e.g. tennis ball or beanbag.
• Both children need to start with their ball in their right hand, held down by their side.
• When both children are ready, they should use an underarm throw to throw their ball to their partner AT THE SAME TIME. They should then try to catch the object thrown by their partner in their left hand.
• Repeat from stage 1, but the object is thrown in the left hand and caught in the right hand.
• Children should then repeat these stages, so the objects are thrown repeatedly, creating a fluid action.

Development: Use a 2-handed catch to start to get the feel of throwing and catching.

Challenge: Increase the distance between the pairs when throwing. Ask the children to count in 2’s every time they catch the ball. Move from a beanbag to a ball. Extension: Encourage a pair to perform continuous throws without pausing in between

Each child will need three small balls to juggle. Follow the steps below to learn how to juggle. Do not move children onto the next step too quickly. Explain it will take some practice, persistence, and resiliency to achieve. See video.

Step 1: Start with one ball. Practice throwing a ball from one hand to the other. The throw should be an arc shape in flight. The higher the throw, the more time you will have when it comes to introducing more balls.

Try not to look directly at the ball but have a relaxed, neutral gaze that takes in the entire flight of the ball.

Step 2: Repeat the action as in Step 1, but this time with two balls. Children should start holding one ball in their right hand, throwing the second ball from their left to their right hand, and ending up with two balls in one hand.

Practice in both hands, throwing from left to right, then right to left.

Step 3: Take a third ball and hold it in one hand. Repeat the action as in Step 2. This time, just before catching the first ball, throw the second ball in the air, trying to get the same flight arc we have been practising. Each time the balls are caught, reset and go again.

At this point, you may wish to identify a dominant or lead hand. For example, always throwing first from the left hand.

Step 4: Now perform with three balls, starting with two in one hand and one in the other. The hand with two balls will be thrown first in the arc shape they have been practising.

Just like in Step 3, the hand about to catch the ball must throw the next ball in the air just before catching the first ball. This skill is then repeated over and over. The key to juggling is always to have one ball in the air.

Discuss how learning a new skill requires perseverance and determination.

Cyclical Breathing

Children should find space to lie down on their backs and place a beanbag on their chest or the upper part of their tummy.

• Explain to the children it needs to be a tranquil and calm environment to allow everybody to focus their minds. Instruct the children that you will do three counts of four quietly and calmly.
• During the first count of four, they should slowly breathe in. During the second count of four, they should hold their breath. On the final count of four, they should breathe out.
• Tell the children that their focus should be on the beanbag on their chest during the breathing exercise. They should watch it rise, stay still and then fall with each breath and notice how it mirrors their chest when breathing. Repeat this as many times as you like.