Dialling up some ngoi (energy)
These super simple activities will be perfect for bringing out the smiles in your ākonga creating a break from all the busy, but more than that, these activities combine some of our favourite things - connection and emotional literacy!
Firstly, the science...
Giving little brain boosts during learning to mix up long periods of sitting, providing a different focus has numerous benefits for tamariki. These little boosts can increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can improve cognitive function and concentration moving forward. Little energy breaks can also reduce stress levels and improve the overall mood of tamariki.
Why this activity?
Sometimes it can feel a little exhausting trying to encourage tamariki to keep energy levels high, especially when their brains are working super hard. Try some of these activities to dial up the energy and joy in your classroom.
What to do
When you need a shift in focus in your learning space, try out one of these super simple activities to give tamariki an opportunity to reset and find a little more zest to get through the different parts of their day…
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Act out this emotion like a….
Put on some waiata and ask tamariki to kanikani. Then shout out an animal and emotion, asking tamariki to move around like they’re that animal experiencing that emotion. No music, no worries, just call out the animal and the emotion wherever you are (inside or out) and enjoy the laughter and animal sound effects that come with it. Randomise the emotions and get some variety by using our emotion bubbles. Try ending on the emotion you want to carry through to your next activity. This is a fun way to think about emotions and what emotions look like.
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Emotion guessing
Print off our emotion bubbles and get tamariki into small groups, even pairs is all good for this one. Ask them to take turns picking out an emotion bubble, they then act it out (silently) and the rest of the group take turns guessing. Our version of charades… acting out big feelings! This will encourage naming emotions, learning new emotions or further understanding what emotions can look like and that the same emotion can look different for different people.
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Follow the leader
Take tamariki outside and appoint a leader (changing to a new ākonga every few minutes) the leader moves around the school yard skipping, hoping, running, jumping, galloping, climbing, circling through trees, singing - whatever they choose. How good is some physical activity and fundamental movement skills!
Kaiako card
To make things easier, refer to or print this kaiako card.
Whānau engagement
After some of these activities ask tamariki if they have learnt any new emotions of ones they perhaps weren't as familiar with. Encourage them to kōrero with those at home sharing these new emotions. Talk about when we might feel these and how we might notice these feelings.
And to add to this...
Another great activity (and super popular one) for setting the energy levels in your classroom is Ngoi Waves. Get some more ideas for giving tamariki a little boost in those busy days is Let's take a brain break!
Curriculum Links
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Personal Health and physical development: A1 - Personal growth and development
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Personal Health and physical development: A2 - Regular physical activity
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Personal Health and physical development: A4 - Personal identity
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Movement concepts and motor skills: B1 - Movement skills
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Movement concepts and motor skills: B2 - Positive attitudes
