As we all know, Mindfulness is a widespread practice in recent years to learn how to combat the frantic pace of life and the lack of attention that accompanies us. His practice is accompanied by multiple benefits, such as the improvement of attention, concentration and learning, so the Mindfulness was soon appearing in schools.
But... How to make a Mindfulness practice in something fun and motivating for children?
If you are a beginner and want to have more information about Mindfulness, you can see this presentation.
Then I show you some exercises to practice in the classroom in an entertaining manner:
I - Jingle Bell.
Tell the child that you are going to play a bell. Ask them to listen carefully to the sound and to lift their hands when now they hear nothing, when the sound has disappeared completely.
2 - Fast Balloon or Slow Balloon?
This game is done in large group sitting in circle with a balloon, previously decorated with drawings and fine words.
At first, tell the children we are going to give us hand balloon hand the more rapid as possible.
This round is as you can imagine very fun and full of laughter of children.
Then we ask you to pass the globe of hand by hand but it more slowly which may, as if were in space without gravity. In the first round we ask that they focus on the characteristics of the globe, in the details that previously could not see: color, texture, drawings and written words... In a second round, we invite you to pass the balloon and smile to fellow looking you in the eye.
Finally, let's reflect on group on what return have been enjoying more of the small details, making a general debate.
3- Astronauts.
You are going to play to be astronauts who visit other planets. Offer you a piece of fruit (or any other food) and ask that you have never seen same thing describe it with the 5 senses well: how is that food, that is has, which is it color, if you weigh, whether it is soft or hard, whether it is soft or harsh, if you smell something, if it makes a sound when you chew it, if it is sweet or savoury , etc...
4 - Weather Report.
In this practice, you must ask your students to develop their own weather forecast.Like the weather, our feelings chage: it can be a sunny day or a rainy day... Suggest that each student try to recognize that "weather" is on inside them.
Remember that to put into practice these exercises you must use a proper space and attitude. With perseverance and patience, everything is possible!
Here I leave you some web resources to keep practicing Mindfulness:
Be Happy!
Nerea Limia González
I think that the activity number 3 (Astronauts) is a really good activity. It is a good way to allow children to think creatively.
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ReplyDeleteGreat! In my opinion all the activities could be relaxing for children. Also, in the next year we are going to do the practicum, I will try to use these mindfulness activities with my pupils. My favorite activity is the number 4, because I think that is important that children talk about their feelings.
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Xiana Barros Giráldez.
I agree with Gemma, when I arrived in Romania as a Erasmus student, one of the teachers to try to integrate me in the class, made a game similar to number 3 in which you had to imagine any object and you had to describe what you felt with that object. Once people knew what it was, you threw it to another person in an imaginary way and the next one started with another object. I like creativity games.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nerea, and thanks for that – I’m glad that you are finding mindfulness interesting for yourself and for the classroom. I liked the links you’ve included especially the Mindfulness in Education prezi link from the third paragraph. Well done! One question – what have you most liked or gained from your own mindfulness practice in the classroom at the faculty or in daily life?
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