BBCLC is diving (or rather, bending and stretching) right into November with the topic of Mindfulness. This past week, we focused on Mindfulness Activities with the children and teachers in the classroom every single day where we focused on our breathing, senses, feelings, and ways to relax/calm our body.
The 4-7-8 Breathing Activity is where you pretend there is a balloon in your belly by taking a long, deep breath in through your nose for 4 seconds and fill up the balloon with your breath. Gently hold your breath for 7 seconds and breathe out for a count of 8 seconds. Pretend that this is the air escaping through a tiny hole in the balloon. Relax your body, and then repeat 3 more times. Take a minute to think about your thoughts and what you are feeling during this activity. For our younger friends, we provided visuals of feelings using animal faces.
The 5×5 Senses Mindfulness exercise is a super quick exercise, where you can do anywhere, like at home on your couch, in your backyard or any time you’re feeling your feelings, this exercise will bring your attention back into the present moment. What are 5 things you can see? What are 5 things you can hear? What are five things you can smell? What are 5 things you can taste? What are 5 things you can feel?
We challenge you and your family at home to complete the Month of Mindfulness worksheet every day this month where it includes the breathing activity, being aware of your senses, feeling your feelings and ways to relax/calm your body. Namaste!
Be sure to check back every week for more information on Relationships/Connections and Mindfulness during the month of November!!
