Finding Peace and Quiet for Your Children, Part: 2

Children need time to reflect at home and in school.  In order for children to self-sooth/self-regulate they must first identify their current emotions.  We use a tool/reflection sheet in the classroom and in the home.  There are days when we all wake up on the "wrong side of the bed."

Students need support, but what is helpful? Calming? Encouraging?  I have looked all over YouTube, Google, and more for guided mindfulness for children.  I have found my favorite product called, Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents).

GoNoodle is a wonderful free website for children.  Many schools use this site for brain, exercise, and movement breaks.  As a parent, I use GoNoodle for the calming activities.  The site has child-appropriate mindfulness and yoga activities.   The site gives participation points and has virtual rewards.  

When do I use this site?  I use this in the morning, before school.  Classrooms have a limited amount of time to focus on social and emotional development.  

Cosmic Kids Yoga is another site that leads yoga through storytelling.  Children love the engaging stories and become immersed in the story while exercising.

Stories can help children identify/validate a child's feelings.  I love to use Storyline Online in the classroom and home. The Screen Actors Guild has many videos of famous people reading literature.  

Z Tangled

A close friend taught my family how to draw Z Tangles.  We were taught that the process was more important than the product.  There were no "right or wrong" answers.  Finally, to enjoy the repetition, patterns, and rhythms.  My husband enjoyed the freedom to express, but felt safe within set artistic patterns.  

Some pieces can be more compartmentalized like the first photo or the patterns can flow into one another.  The beginning and end become the same. (odd number of sections)

There are many sites that will teach patterns with a step-by-step process.  

How to Draw Z Tangles

Zentangles

Finding Peace and Quiet

Every teacher needs time to rest and reflect.  It is getting harder to balance needed reflection time and work demands.

Recently I was introduced to a new website called, Stop, Breath, & Think.  There are many mindfullness programs online, but this is my favorite.  Stop, Breath, & Think will ask for your mental, physical, and emotional health each day.  The program will tailor several activities based upon your responses.  This program is free and has many options.

Another website that combines meditation and devotion is Sacred Space.  The Irish Jesuits and Loyola Press work jointly on this project. Sacred Space is available on Apple/iOS and Android/Google Play devices.

A poet-friend, Laurie Klein writes daily reflections on her blog.  Her photography captures small details, wonder, and beauty.   Laurie's new book called, Where the Sky Opens, a Partial Cosmography takes the reader on journey of love, grace, struggle, and renewal.  She knows how to use words to open the very soul of the reader.

Club Slow Motion (Found on FB)-This is an all women's hiking group.  The hikes are well-paced.  Most of the hikes range from 3-5 miles distances.