I Wiggle
Here's What To Do
1
Find a space in your home where you can wiggle. Put down a towel, blanket, or mat and stand on it.
2
Sing a wiggling song (you can make up your own tune), and tell your child to wiggle each body part as you sing it. Like:
- I wiggle my fingers, I wiggle my toes. I wiggle my shoulders, I wiggle my nose.
- Now no more wiggles are left in me, so I will take a deep breath and sleep peacefully.
3
Ask your child if they have any more body parts they need to wiggle before they sleep. Sing the song with those body parts and get the wiggles out!
4
Repeat each night before bed.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Stand on your towel, blanket, or mat and take a deep breath together.
E
Engage:
- "Let's get our wiggles out so we can calm down and get ready for bed!"
- "Can you wiggle each body part when you hear it in the song?"
E
Encourage:
- "Did we miss any body parts? What body parts do you feel like you still need to wiggle?"
- "I feel like I need to wiggle my elbows, can you show me how to wiggle my elbows?"
R
Reflect:
- "Which body part had the most wiggles to get out?"
Not quite ready?
If your child has difficulty concentrating on one body part, just encourage them to practice wiggling their whole body, then getting very still.
Ready for more?
Follow the wiggle song with some calm, slow breathing.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to use this mindful activity to help transition to bedtime.