Safari Guide Lesson Plan
Educator Facilitation Guide
Calm Safari Lesson Plan
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Midday Transition • 15–20 Mins
Learning Goals
Regulate high arousal through extended exhalation, bilateral grounding, and mindful body tracking.
Sensory Cueing
Dim main lights, play ambient savanna sounds (breeze/crickets), and soften instructor vocal tone.
Somatic Shift
Moving nervous systems from sympathetic (fight/flight/freeze) to parasympathetic (rest & digest).
The 4 Core Somatic Reset Postures
1 Elephant Heavy Stomp Proprioceptive
Action: 3 slow, heavy foot stomps into carpet, followed by locking knees softly into the earth.
"Feel your elephant feet glue down like heavy savanna tree trunks."
2 Tall Giraffe Reach Intercostal / Breath
Action: Inhale 4 counts while sweeping arms high to pick sweet acacia leaves, slow exhale 6 counts bending low.
"Stretch tall to touch the golden sun, then let your branches gently sway down."
3 Lion Whisper Sigh Vagal Nerve Tone
Action: Big nose inhale puffing belly; open mouth exhale with soft, sleepy audible vibration "haaaaaah".
"Not a loud roar! A sleepy nap-time whisper that cools your belly."
4 Cozy Sloth Tree Sway Vestibular Calm
Action: Cross arms over chest, hug shoulders, tuck chin softly, and gently rock side-to-side for 5 breaths.
"Snuggle tight into your favorite branch. Safe, slow, and still."
Co-Regulation Rules for Early Educators
1. Downshift Vocal Tone: Drop volume by half and speak at a steady, rhythmic, slow tempo. Children synchronize to teacher prosody.
2. Model Exhalations: Make your own exhales visibly deep with relaxed shoulders. Avoid shouting verbal instructions over noise.
3. Invitation, Not Demand: Children can participate with small finger movements or by observing until their nervous system feels safe.
The Calm Down Safari • Teacher Instruction Guide Page 1 of 2
Step-by-Step Transition Script & Pacing
Total Duration: 15–18 Minutes
00:00 - 03:00
Step 1
Entering the Safari Shade (Signal & Circle Gather)
Sound the chime or savanna drum twice. Say: "Safari explorers, the midday sun is high! Time to step into the cool tree shade." Students walk like slow tortoises onto their carpet spots.
03:00 - 09:00
Step 2
Animal Breath Posture Sequence (Slides Guidance)
Guide through Elephant Stomp (3 reps), Giraffe Reach (3 reps), Lion Whisper Sigh (4 reps), and Sloth Hug Sway (1 min). Observe heartbeats slowing down as whole class moves in unison.
09:00 - 14:00
Step 3
Tactile Trail Tracing (Activity Sheet Integration)
Hand out the tactile breathing path sheets. Students trace with their index fingers—inhaling up paths, exhaling down curves. Minimal verbal talking; allow sensory touch to ground motor tension.
14:00 - 17:00
Step 4
Somatic Check-Out & Safari Ranger Stamp
Check-in prompt: "Place one hand on your belly. Is your motor running fast like a cheetah, or calm like a sleeping lion?" Students color their badge on the activity mat.
Inclusive Adaptations & Neurodiversity Support
For High Motor Restlessness
Increase Elephant Stomp duration to 30 seconds to discharge excess motor energy through joint compression.
For Sensory Overload / Touch Hesitancy
Instead of self-hugging in Sloth pose, child can hold a weighted plush toy or blanket on their lap without physical pressure.
For Non-Verbal / Dual Language
Rely on visual slide cues and gesture modeling. Pair tactile finger tracing with auditory sound effects rather than verbal commands.
Transition Trouble-Shooting
• Giggles & Silly Falling: Normalize playful energy: "Silly monkeys are welcome, but let's see which monkey can freeze like a quiet statue."
• Crying or Meltdowns: Provide a designated "Quiet Oasis" tent with visual emotion cards. Never isolate or force compliance during distress.
• Resisting Eyes Closed: Young children often feel unsafe with closed eyes. Direct gaze to a single classroom point or the screen safari visual.
The Calm Down Safari • Facilitation Protocols Page 2 of 2
Calm Safari Slides
Midday Somatic Reset
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Time to Rest Our Busy Bodies
The Calm Down Safari
Let’s breathe, stretch, and settle our bodies together like gentle animals in the shade.
Find your spot on the carpet Take a soft breath in...
Safari Check-In
Listen to Your Body
How Does Your Body Feel Right Now?
Place one gentle hand over your heart or belly.
Fast Like a Cheetah
Buzzy feet, fast heartbeat, lots of wiggle energy from recess.
Slow Like a Tortoise
Heavy eyelids, sleepy feet, ready for a cool drink of water and rest.
All feelings are welcome! Let’s help our bodies feel calm and safe.
Step 1 of 4 Grounding Our Feet
Solid & Strong
The Heavy Elephant
Tree Trunk Feet
1
Stand tall with your feet wide like giant elephant legs.
2
Take 3 slow stomps: STOMP... STOMP... STOMP!
3
Freeze your feet like heavy tree trunks rooted in the ground.
Feel how steady and safe the floor is beneath your feet.
Step 2 of 4 Opening Our Ribs
Reach & Expand
The Tall Giraffe
Reaching for the Sun
Breathe In Big (1, 2, 3, 4)
Reach your arms way up high to pick sweet green leaves.
Breathe Out Slow (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Let your branches melt down softly like a warm breeze.
Let’s do it one more time together! Reaching high... and melting low.
Step 3 of 4 Cooling Our Bellies
Soft Whisper Sigh
The Sleepy Lion
Nap-Time Whisper
1
Breathe in deep through your nose. Fill your tummy like a balloon.
2
Open your mouth gently and whisper a sleepy sigh: "Haaaaaaah..."
3
No loud roars! Just a gentle whisper that cools your throat.
Notice how soft your shoulders feel after that long whisper sigh.
Step 4 of 4 Self-Compassion Hug
Safe & Protected
The Cozy Sloth
Safe in the Tree
1
Cross your arms across your chest and hold your shoulders snug.
2
Tuck your chin down softly towards your chest.
3
Gently sway side to side like a sleepy sloth on a quiet tree branch.
Safari Body Warmup Card
Midday Transition Warm-Up
Safari Body Reset Routine
3-Minute Reset
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Step 1: Check Your Safari Engine
How fast is your motor running?
Fast Cheetah Body
Heart thumping fast, buzzy feet, hands want to touch everything.
Calm Savanna Body
Soft breathing, heavy quiet feet, ready for stories and learning.
Step 2: Do the 3 Reset Moves With Your Teacher
1
Elephant Stomp & Freeze
Grounding
Take 3 slow, heavy foot stomps: STOMP... STOMP... STOMP! Now freeze like a tree trunk planted deep in the savanna grass.
2
Giraffe Sky Stretch
Expansion
Reach your arms high to pick sweet acacia leaves while sniffing in through your nose (1-2-3-4). Softly drop down like gentle leaves.
3
Lion Sleepy Sigh
Exhalation
Big breath into your belly... open mouth and let out a gentle, quiet whisper: "Haaaaaaah." Let your shoulders melt down.
Step 3: Carpet Oasis Check
Criss-Cross Legs
Roots in the soil
Quiet Resting Hands
Sitting softly on lap
Gentle Safari Eyes
Looking at the teacher
The Calm Down Safari • Classroom Somatic Transition Routine Deep Breaths • Safe Bodies • Calm Minds
Breathing Trail Activity Sheet
Safari Breathing Trail
Put your pointer finger on the star and breathe with the trail!
Name:
Date:
Explorer Mission: Move your finger slowly along each animal trail. Feel your breath match your finger!
Tactile Mat
1. Giraffe Tree Climb
Breathe Up & Down
Breathe IN (1-2-3-4) Pause & Smile Breathe OUT (1-2-3-4-5-6)
★ 🌿 🏁
Start on the Star Acacia Leaf Top Soft Landing
2. Lion Whisper Sigh
Soft "Haaah"
Belly Breath In Whisper: "Haaaaah"
★ 🏁
Start Nose Breath Soft Mane Wave Quiet Lion Rest
3. Hippo Pond Ripples
Cool Water Bubbles
Fill Cheeks (In) Blow Slow Ripples (Out)
★ 🏁
Deep Inhale Cool Bubble Breath Smooth Still Water
4. Sloth Slow Branch Sway
Slow & Safe
Give Yourself a Hug Rock 1... 2... 3... 4
★ 🏁
Cozy Start Gentle Slow Sway Sleeping Sloth
★
My Calm Safari Ranger Badge
Color your badge and circle how your body feels!
Draw or Color Your Favorite Animal Face Here
Right now, my safari body feels:
🐆 Still Buzzy
🌿 Getting Calm
🦁 Peaceful & Ready
The Calm Down Safari • Student Sensory Tracing Mat Pre-K & Kindergarten Somatic Regulation