Oh hi, I’m Evie and sometimes I feel like I’m half awake and half asleep.
A bit like sleepwalking!
It’s time to imagine that you are in this half asleep, half awake zone too.
By thinking about a different world to the one we're in now, Slumberland.
It can be fun just to escape somewhere else, knowing we can always return back to our old world whenever we want to.
Right, show me your best sleepwalk pose.
Put your arms out in front of you, like this and give yourself a really floppy body.
And don't forget the facial expression.
Great!
Do you ever feel like you can’t be bothered, a bit like you're half asleep? That’s ok but it’s good to know we can always change our outward character whenever we want to.
Okay, let’s head to Slumberland!
Get in your sleepwalk pose.
Okay, good. Walk on the spot slowly and when you hear the alarm clock snap out of your slumber and back to your ‘normal’ self.
Okay?
Go.
Very good!
Okay, let's go again and this time when you hear the alarm clock, jump back to being you! Like this.
Okay, ready?
Let's go.
I can see you.
Ah, brilliant! It was amazing to see how quickly you went from sleepwalking back to you again.
Okay, we're going to do this again but when you hear the alarm this time, can you jump and clap as you return to your normal self?
Like this:
Jump, clap.
Ready?
Let's go!
Nice sleepwalking teacher!
Very good.
Oh, look at that.
Well done!
Okay, last time.
When you hear the alarm we're going to jump, clap and dance our way back to being awake. Like this:
Jump, clap, dance.
Nice!
Okay, are we ready to go?
Let's do this!
Good sleepwalking.
You all look brilliant!
Did you notice how you turned your sleepy feeling into a fun, fully awake dance party at the end?
You have shown me, and each other, how you can change from one feeling to another really quickly, and whenever you want to.
Now say out loud - “I can change my feelings”.
Let's say it again:
“I can change my feelings”.
I hope to see you again soon.
Bye.
an unusually tired CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill as she sleepwalks and dances her way in and out of Slumber Land.
By snapping in and out of sleepwalk role play to the intermittent sound of a siren, pupils are reminded they are ultimately in control of their own emotions.
This video can be used to demonstrate that we have the ability to change how we feel, along with our outward character and appearance, whenever we choose.
Being able to use our imagination is a powerful tool to help us see alternative possibilities.
Teacher Notes
- Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and KS2. Whole class movement.
- When to use: Start of the day wake-up/Movement break between lessons .
See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
- Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Emotional regulation
- Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and .
Enrichment activities
- Feelings Switch Chart
- Create a two-column chart:
- Column 1: "When I feel…" (e.g., sleepy, grumpy, sad)
- Column 2: "I can…" (ideas to switch feelings, like dance, laugh, hug a teddy).
- My Wake-Up Move Poster
- Children design a poster showing their special move to wake themselves up from "sleepwalking mode" — jump, clap, spin, or anything creative.
- Wake-Up Chant
- Lead a class chant: You say: "When I feel sleepy, what do I do">