| Basic | |
| Age: 3-6 | |
| 20-30 min | |
| Through this fun and dynamic movement activity, children explore how people share basic needs like food, hydration, and rest, while understanding that needs can differ based on circumstances and emotions. | |
| Wellbeing Growth mindset | |
| Movement |
Setting up the space: Choose a spacious area where children can move freely. Together with the children, create four simple stations to represent different basic needs, using the worksheet if desired:
Make sure the stations are spaced well apart to allow movement between them.
Kira and Miro join the group to spark curiosity. Miro asks: “Have you ever felt tired, hungry, or really thirsty during the day? What did you need in that moment?”
Kira adds: “Let’s play a game to explore what we all need at different times!”
Begin with a short discussion:
Use pictures or visual aids to support the discussion.
Game Instructions:
Children move freely around the room. When the teacher calls out a situation, they quickly run to the station that matches what they would need, e.g.:
Once at a station, children explain their choices:
Add complexity:
Introduce situations where more than one need may apply:
Gather together and reflect:
Emphasize that everyone has basic needs like food, water, and rest, but these depend on circumstances and emotions.
Kira says: “We all need similar things, but sometimes we feel them at different times.”
Miro adds: “When we understand each other’s needs, we can care better for one another.”
Day-to-day life
Refer in daily situations to different basic needs.
Outdoor Play
The game can be adapted for the playground, forest, or park, using natural elements to represent needs.
Team Game
Children can play in teams, discussing and agreeing on their group’s choice for each situation.
Exploration Stations
Allow children to create their own stations and assign them needs, encouraging creativity and ownership.
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