Self-control
Toddlers watch a caregiver calm down after pretending to row a boat.
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the first verse of the song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.“
[Invite several toddlers to join you for a song about a boat.
Display provided picture of a rowboat and point to the person in the boat when you describe how the boat moves.]
This is a picture of a rowboat. The person in the boat is rowing the boat. We make a rowboat move on water by rowing the boat.
Our body moves back and forth when we row a boat. I’m going to pretend I am rowing a boat. Watch how I row my pretend rowboat!
[Pretend to row a boat while sitting. Use exaggerated circle movements of your arms, as if you are moving the oars of the boat.]
I am rowing my pretend rowboat. My arms are working hard to move the boat in the water.
I am going to sing a song about rowing a boat down a stream. A stream has water. A stream is like a river.
[Enthusiastically sing the song while pretending to row the boat with large circle movements of your arms. Move your arms with the beat of the song.]
Would you like me to sing the boat song again?
[Repeat the song and your rowing actions if toddlers respond positively.]
I had fun pretending to row a boat! I feel excited. I also feel tired. Rowing a boat is hard work!
I am going to calm down. My body needs to rest after doing something that made me feel excited and tired.
Please watch how I calm my body.
[Relax your arms and put your hands in your lap. Take several deep and slow breaths. Briefly close your eyes. Quietly hum “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” at a much slower pace than you sang it.]
I got excited and tired pretending to row a boat. I decided to calm down. I relaxed my arms, put my hands in my lap, closed my eyes a little bit, and hummed a song. Now I feel calm.
Self-control
Toddlers pretend to row a boat and then calm down with caregiver support
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the first verse of the song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.“
Invite toddlers to join you to pretend we are rowing a boat. Show the provided picture of a rowboat and explain that we row a boat to make it move on water. We can pretend to row our boat down a stream of water. Explain that a stream is like a river.
Demonstrate rowing actions by moving your arms in exaggerated circles while sitting, as if you are rowing a boat. Invite toddlers to join you in moving their arms. After a brief period of practice rowing, lead toddlers in rowing our pretend boats while you energetically sing the first verse of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Move your arms with the beat of the song.
Pause and tell toddlers you think it is fun to row a boat. Explain that we can row just a little farther down our pretend stream of water. Invite toddlers to join you in another round of pretend rowing as you make exaggerated rowing motions with your arms and again sing the first verse of the song. Encourage toddlers to say or sing the word “row” when you sing it (or as much of the song they would like to sing or say).
After a second round, ask toddlers if they think rowing is hard to do. Tell toddlers you are excited and tired. Explain that you are going to calm down your body. Invite toddlers to join in calming down, too. Describe and demonstrate the following steps:
Explain that your body feels calmer. Ask toddlers whether they feel calm.
Toddlers who have participated in prior ELM activities focused on calming down may not need the calming down demonstration offered in Option 1. Rowing a boat may be a new concept for many toddlers, however, and Option 1 may be the best way to describe and demonstrate rowing actions. Be careful about putting too much into Option 2. Some toddlers will enjoy contributing to the song in Option 2, although it is not necessary or appropriate to teach the song or expect toddlers to learn it. The song is a way to promote modest stimulation that precedes calming-down practice.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: boat props—such as sailor or fishing hat, a box or large laundry basket to sit in as a pretend boat, blue fabric to represent water; beach props—such as beach towel, straw hat, sunglasses, soft music with ocean waves or other water nature sounds
Set up a lake or stream scene by placing the blanket on the floor and boat props in a box or basket. Set up a beach scene nearby by placing the beach props on a towel on the floor. Depending on the size of the box/basket, invite one or two toddlers to row the boat. Then invite toddlers to sit on the beach towel to calm their bodies. Offer soothing music with waves/water sounds, if possible.
Materials Needed: see Interest Area materials
Older toddlers and preschool-age children may enjoy participating in the Option 2 activity. Infants may enjoy being held and gently rocked during the song if another caregiver is available. Older toddlers and preschool-age children also may enjoy the Interest Area activity. Preschool-age children will have fun helping you set up the beach scene.
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