Music Relaxation Games for the Classroom or Home

Whether you teach a classroom of rowdy teenagers or kindergartners, have an office job that leaves you pulling your hair out at the end of the day, or just need to find a quiet game to play before your child takes a nap, this music relaxation game will help relieve stress and bring some calm into any classroom or home situation.

I used this music relaxation game when I worked with at-risk children and found that these children needed the moments of calm and relaxation after a stressful home life and hectic school life left them jittery and nervous all day. I usually told the children that we would play a music listening game and then began the music relaxation techniques. You may find, when playing the music relaxation game with your own children that the children begin drifting off to sleep. In fact, you may do the same!

Basic needs for the music relaxation game

You will need a CD player, various relaxing music albums of longer lengths, a darkened room, and, if possible, mats or towels for the children to lay on. I recommend only slightly dimming the lights in the classroom instead of leaving the classroom in pitch darkness. Many young children are afraid of the dark and older children find a dark room too tempting to get into mischief. If you are at home, or even your office, feel free to arrange the room as you feel comfortable.

The music you choose will directly affect the tone of the music relaxation game. I usually opted for a soothing music soundtrack of nature sounds or calming world music tracks. I preferred longer music tracks, usually about ten minutes to twenty minutes long, but shorter music tracks that run well into one another also work.

Preparing yourself and the children

Have the room darkened and all furniture moved away, if possible. It is possible to conduct the music relaxation game with the children sitting in desks. I found that having the children lay on the floor on a towel or mat was much more effective. Ideally, the children should be able to lie flat on their backs with their eyes closed. Adapt as necessary depending on your classroom, office, or home environment.

Relax to the music

Begin playing the music once the children are all quiet and comfortable. Instruct them to use their ears to listen to the sounds and instruments. If you have a nature soundtrack, have them silently identify the different types of animals and sounds they hear. Give them several minutes of pure listening before asking music listening questions. You may find some children have already drifted off to sleep before you arrive at the next stage. If so, let the children sleep through the game.

Listening questions

Quietly ask the children to identify what animals or sounds they hear. Keep your voice low, only at a whisper. Ask the children specifically by name, to avoid several children chiding in at once. All through this time, the children keep their eyes closed.

Optional Movement Exercises

As the children listen to the music soundtrack, instruct them to move slowly to the music. You may say things like, "Pretend your fingers are the bubbles in the babbling brook and slowly wiggle them," or "Move your legs like you are a turtle swimming through the soft music."

Sometimes I encouraged the students to stand up and move to the music slowly around the room. The movement part of the game was most effective with music that flowed or had the sounds of the ocean incorporated in the soundtrack.

Ending

I often added more movement to the music if the class period was coming to an end and I needed children to wake up. When it is time to end the relaxation time, gently wake up any children that have fallen asleep. If you have more time with the children, or nap time is next, gently continue instructing them in movement and listening exercises until they fall asleep.