Here is Mrs. Scheer with some of her favorite kittens: Tom Cat and Tabby Cat! I've created a Guidance Lesson for you to watch. The book/video I mention is here: https://safeyoutube.net/w/lA32 Let me know below your favorite calming technique or breathing technique! Being Aware & Being PresentIn our everyday busy world, our minds and bodies can get wrapped up in so many things. Often, we are consumed by the everyday demands of "it has to be now" society we have a hard time catching our breath. Even as adults it is also easy to get stuck in this rut. Even more so, we find it hard to move past things that have happened in the past or stress about the events in the future, We do this all while forgetting to focus on the here and now. The benefits of mindfulness for children and adults are plentiful. Most importantly, it has shown to decrease stress and increase an individual's resiliency or the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. To begin school this year, students will be learning about mindfulness by practicing a quiet moment, deep breathing techniques, and talking about how staying in the moment can help us cope with difficult feelings. Watch the video below. This is one example that could be used for our Elementary School students (or even us parents). Take a second to reflect on how you are feeling before and after the exercise. I would love for you to carry over these practices at home. Below, I have linked some resources and books that may be helpful. What other mindfullness exercises have you tried? For more information about mindfulness, check out www.mindful.org Check out the mindfullness app: mindful-app.com Check out these children's books: Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer Sitting Still Like a Frog by Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn Take the Time: Mindfulness for Kids by Maud Roegiers Silence by Lemniscates Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubinstein |