Use this exercise in the morning (just out of bed or before entering the classroom) or to transition back into the classroom, to benefit children who are “slow to start”, sleepy or low in energy.
Instructions
Balance on one leg
Bend forward, until your upper body and leg are parallel to the floor
Stretch your arms out wide and lift them as high as you can
Hold for 5-10 deep breaths and then repeat on the other leg
Watch Points
Hips and shoulders parallel to the floor
Arms and legs straight
Reaching your head and lifted foot as far apart as you can
Modifications
More Challenging
Multi-Sensory
Ball Skills
Fine Motor
Standing:
Do the Dragonfly Zoom with your hands on the desk in front of you, or pressing against a wall in front of you.
Seated:
Lean forward with a straight back. Stretch your arms out wide like wings. Squeeze your shoulder blades down and back to hold your wings high for 5-10 deep breaths.
While doing the Dragonfly Zoom:
Lift your leg and arms slightly higher
Put your arms out in front of you, instead of out to the sides
Pretend you are a bird, an aeroplane, a helicopter, or a rocket blasting off into space. With the Dragonfly Zoom you can imagine being absolutely anything that can fly!
