Turtle Time
I often encourage children to do "turtle time" when they are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing a state of unease or anger. When our emotions run high, having a code word or signal to initiate a...
Develop Attention by Increasing Mindfulness: Tips for the Classroom
Mindfulness is usually thought of as bringing your attention fully into the present moment. I love the classical description provided by Susan Kaiser Greenland in her book, The Mindful Child: ...
Drawing Infinity to Relax the Mind
Soothe and calm the brain waves by drawing and re-tracing the infinity symbol. Draw the infinity symbol lying on it's side. Begin by placing a dot in the center of the paper. Start at the dot...
Coloring Within The Lines To Relax
A mandala is a sacred circle. Mandalas can be found throughout nature, right down to the cellular level. We are literally swimming in a universal tapestry of interwoven sacred circles. I believe...
Thought Workout: Lifting Positive Thoughts to Feel Good
We can teach children to lift relaxing positive thoughts like we lift weights. Relaxing positive thoughts carry much more weight and influence than negative thoughts. Therefore, just like we...
The Massage Snake
When our bodies are feeling tense and we need to take a break, it is fun to build a massage snake. Instruct everyone to sit in a "curvy snake line" and place your hands gently on the shoulders of...
Relaxation Station
Designate a space in your home to be the "Relaxation Station." This can be a consistent, calming spot where kids and adults alike can go to re-connect with inner peace and establish a calm mind and...
Progressive Relaxation Jingle
Pull your hands into very tight fists. Ahh, let them go with a swish, swish, swish. Squeeze tight, tight, tight with all your might. Now just relax and make them light. Curl your toes into a ball....
Cloud Garden Bedtime Game
This is a game that can be played by the family at bedtime in order to foster feelings of peace and relaxation. It is an excellent way to let go of anything during the day that is no longer...
Brain Gym Activities for Stress Reduction
The brain is made up of two hemispheres that are responsible for different functions. When the right and left hemispheres are communicating competently, we experience integrated thought related to...
