Helping kids with executive functioning challenges can take one part instruction, one part practice, one part mindfulness and one part patience. For the instruction part, I have created fun visual aids to support kids with their learning and understanding of how...
Relaxing With Otters As I was walking down the hallway in my school today, I encountered the MOST precious sight. The kindergarten class had just finished art and was parading their otter artwork back to class. Apparently they had watched the YouTube video on the...
Walking the Path This past summer I had the opportunity to visit the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth to walk it for the third time. Giant in size, it is a walk of heart. In fact, the first time I set foot on it, I was unexplainably moved to tears. Labyrinths have long...
It's back to school time and the perfect time to practice relaxation techniques with your kids! Recently, the first graders and I created a "Forest of Calm" through the Vrksasana yoga pose, or "tree pose." All of the kids gathered together to assume the tree poses...
Create a relaxation collage with your child. I like to explain that just looking at serene, tranquil pictures can calm our bodies and minds. There's even research out there that shows that just by looking upon tranquil scenes or even other people relaxing and...
The Monster Under Your Bed is Just a Story In Your Head by Lisa Wimberger Loving this new book by Lisa Wimberger, founder of the Neurosculpting Institute, (www.neurosculptinginstitute.com). It's perfect for introducing kids to neuroliteracy, the study of brain...
Recently one of my students was struggling with bad dreams. His mom asked me to support him at school in helping him learn skills to deal with his worries. In addition to teaching him several deep breathing techniques and using play therapy to "play out" and talk...
This morning in our small group yoga time at school, we practiced relaxation skills using a spinner visual aid. This visual aid helped students to stay focused on what we were learning and was a great tool to bring attention back to the present moment when it was...
It's getting towards the end of the school year in my district. We are wrapping things up, saying goodbye to a year that passed so swiftly, and sending our fifth graders on to the larger horizon of middle school. Even my own daughter, Maiya, is graduating from high...
I have been practicing Qigong! According to the National Qigong Association (nqa.org), "qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention." The other day while I was finishing my morning...
