There's so much going on in the world of a preschooler. Loud conversations, bursts of laughter, thousands of impressions, and endless ideas—all at once. This childlike exuberance is wonderful and natural. But just as important as expression and movement is the ability to... stop. Take a breath. Listen to yourself and notice: "What am I actually feeling right now?" "What do I need?"
In our private kindergartens Warsaw We treat moments of silence like commas in a story—they don't pause the story, but help give it rhythm. These aren't forced pauses, but a natural part of a daily ritual in which we maintain a balance between energy and calm. At Orange Ciuchcia, we teach children that silence doesn't have to be boring, and that peace doesn't mean giving up on yourself. It's a space where you can rest, organize your thoughts, and feel safe—alone and in a group.
Why are calming games important?
They're important because a child's nervous system doesn't work like a light switch. You can't just say, "Quiet now!" and expect emotions, thoughts, and tensions to magically disappear. Children—just like adults—need transition.. A bridge between the intense "here and now" and the calm "I am, I breathe, I feel".
Calming games build this very bridge. They don't isolate emotions—quite the opposite. They help them notice, name, acknowledge, and… slowly release tension. This time supports the development of self-regulation and concentration, and gives the child a sense that their inner world matters.
In our bilingual kindergarten Such play is not just "time for peace." It's about connecting with oneself. With one's own body, breath, and rhythm. It's a moment when children learn that peace doesn't have to come from the outside—they can find it within themselves. And we, the adults, are there—mindful, present, and ready to build this bridge together. Every day, step by step.
Games to calm your child down
Games to calm your child down It's worth using when you feel like your emotions are overwhelming and your body can't keep up with what your head is feeling. Examples:
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Respiratory butterflies – children imagine they are butterflies. They place their hands on their tummies and "raise their wings" with each calm inhale and exhale.
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Magic bell – Children sit in a circle and listen for the bell to stop ringing. Then they share what they heard in silence.
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Colorful relaxation – lying on mats, children imagine that their body is slowly filling with the chosen color (e.g. blue of peace or green of relief).
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Turning into a turtle: The baby sits on the floor, hugs his knees, and buries his head. He breathes slowly. "Now he can go back into his shell and rest."
These are moments that teach us: "I have control over how I feel. I can help myself calm down."
Montessori calming games
In the Montessori tradition, silence is not the absence of sound. It is a value in itself—a space for being "here and now."
Some suggestions:
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Practicing silence – teaches mindfulness and self-regulation.
The children sit in a circle and wait in absolute silence until they hear the teacher's gentle "click".
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Moving the feather – a game that calms the body and emotions.
The children's task is to move from one end of the room to the other, carrying a light feather in their hand.
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Sorting pebbles – a simple sensory game that supports concentration.
Children touch, move and arrange pebbles according to shape or temperature.
Games to calm the group down
Sometimes we need to calm down not just one child, but the entire group. Especially after active play, before going for a walk, or before dinner. group calming games are they suitable for kindergarten?
Proven ideas:
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Music of peace – quietly played classical music or sounds of nature, to which children can stretch, rock, and close their eyes.
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Circle of Breaths Everyone sits in a circle, holds hands, closes their eyes, and breathes together. We guide the children through simple instructions: "Inhale as if you were smelling a flower, exhale as if you were blowing out a candle."
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Lazy dance – very slow movement with calm music. The children "dance as if in water."
Such calming games on the carpet is a reliable tool for regaining balance in the group.
Calming games before bed
Afternoon is the perfect time for calming games before bedAnd it's not just about napping at preschool, but also about rituals that children can "take" home.
It is then worth reaching for:
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Lullabies with gestures – songs sung quietly, accompanied by slow, repetitive hand gestures.
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Visualizations – the teacher tells the children a calm story, for example, about a cloud floating in the sky. The children "fly along with it."
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Body relaxation – tensing and relaxing subsequent parts of the body — “now your feet are sleeping, now your knees…”
When peace becomes an ally
At the Orange Train, we teach children that quiet time isn't a punishment or a way to "tame" emotions. It's care. Mindfulness. A tender moment where you can breathe—for yourself and for others. It's not about forced silence or "sitting still." Quiet time is a space where a child can be with themselves for a moment: listen to their breathing, feel their body, name what they're experiencing. It's then—in these quiet, peaceful moments—that inner balance is born. One that doesn't disappear after five minutes. One that lasts. In preschool, where everyday life can be loud and intense, such a moment of stillness isn't a luxury. It's a daily need—and a gift that children can give each other.
Also read our article about integration games in kindergarten.
AUTHOR:
Joanna Goc-Matyskiel
teacher, Positive Discipline educator, TUS and critical thinking trainer
