Using relaxation techniques effectively
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use relaxation techniques effectively to help me feel calm and content in every-day life.
Key learning points
- Move: moving around the room at different speeds represents how we feel in life; we can pause to help us relax.
- Think: pausing after fast movements to help us relax requires concentration.
- Think: we can use different techniques, such as moving and pausing as well as breathing, to help us relax.
- Feel: focusing on our breathing and showing resilience to keep trying can help us relax when we are feeling stressed.
- Connect: it is important to be respectful to our partners to help each other apply relaxation techniques.
Keywords
Relaxation - when your body and mind feel calm and peaceful
Technique - a method or way of carrying out a specific task or achieving a particular goal
Pause - a temporary stop/interruption in an activity or action
Common misconception
Pupils struggle to concentrate when they are freezing still or when they are deep breathing so the relaxation technique is ineffective.
Pupils need to be reminded that the techniques only work if they focus and are still, concentrating on their breathing / the stillness.
Teacher tip
Weave in addtional examples from everyday life for pupils to think about as they apply relaxation techniques. Rushing is used in the lesson, but ask the pupils to make their own suggestions. Use these as a stimuli to then apply the relaxation ideas and focus on being calm and still.
Equipment
1 dance scarf per pupil, additional material: suggested music
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Why do we use relaxation techniques?
Q2.What do we mean by our emotions?
Q3.Which life skill can help us to focus on our relaxation techniques and not give up?
Q4.If you are working collaboratively with a partner, what skill are you demonstrating?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a type of relaxation technique?
Q2.How can you ensure the relaxation technique you are using is effective?
Q3.What can focusing on our breathing and showing resilience to keep trying help us to do?
Q4.Which of these is not a relaxation technique?
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Using relaxation techniques effectively, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Using relaxation techniques effectively, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Health and wellbeing: mindfulness and meditative balances unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.