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Animal Mindfulness Moments

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Lesson Plan

Animal Mindfulness Moments Lesson Plan

Students will use animal-inspired poses and sounds to practice mindfulness, fostering emotional regulation and self-awareness.

This lesson helps young learners manage their emotions and build calmness through interactive, fun mindfulness activities centered around animals.

Audience

Pre-K to Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided movement and sound exercises.

Materials

Animal Mindfulness Moments Lesson Plan, Mindfulness Slide Deck, and Animal Activity Guide

Prep

Preparation: Review and Setup

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet the students and introduce the concept of mindfulness.
  • Explain that today's session will involve animal poses and sounds to help us feel calm and happy.

Step 2

Warm-Up Activity

5 minutes

  • Ask the students to mimic simple animal movements (e.g., stretching like a cat, hopping like a bunny).
  • Incorporate calming animal sounds as they move.

Step 3

Guided Mindfulness Practice

10 minutes

  • Use the Mindfulness Slide Deck to guide the students through deep breathing and slow movements.
  • Encourage them to observe the sensations in their bodies as they perform each pose.
  • Remind them to listen to the sounds of nature and their animal moves.

Step 4

Activity and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Utilize the Animal Activity Guide to allow students to choose their favorite animal pose.
  • Ask simple reflection questions like, 'Which animal move made you feel the calmest?'
  • Invite a few students to share their experiences.
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Activity

Animal Activity Guide

This guide provides a simple list of animal poses and sounds to help you lead the mindfulness session. Use these poses and sounds during the lesson to encourage calmness and self-awareness among the students.

Instructions for Use

  • Review each animal pose and corresponding sound before the lesson.
  • Demonstrate the poses for the students and encourage them to mimic the movements and sounds.
  • Allow students to choose their favorite pose and reflect on how it makes them feel.

Animal Poses and Sounds

  1. Cat Stretch

    • Pose: Stand tall and stretch your arms overhead as if you're a sleepy cat waking up.
    • Sound: Softly purr as you stretch.

  2. Bunny Hop

    • Pose: Stand with your feet together and then gently hop in place like a little bunny.
    • Sound: Mimic a light, cheerful bunny sound.

  3. Butterfly Flutter

    • Pose: Sit down with your legs extended and gently flap your arms like butterfly wings.
    • Sound: Whisper soft, fluttering sounds.

  4. Frog Jump

    • Pose: Crouch down like a frog and then gently jump up, landing softly.
    • Sound: Make a gentle ribbit sound as you jump.




Activity Steps

  1. Introduce each pose one at a time, showing the movement and sound.
  2. Ask the students to join in and practice the pose and sound several times.
  3. After practicing all the poses, allow students to choose their favorite and explain why they like it.
  4. Conclude the session with a short reflection on how these animal movements can help us feel more relaxed.








Enjoy your Animal Mindfulness Moments and have fun exploring these calming animal poses together!

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Slide Deck

Welcome to Animal Mindfulness Moments

Let's explore different animal moves to help us feel calm and happy.

Introduce the session. Greet students and explain that today we'll use fun animal movements and sounds for mindfulness. Mention that each slide will show a different animal pose.

Cat Stretch

Stand tall, stretch your arms overhead like a sleepy cat, and softly purr.

Show the Cat Stretch pose. Demonstrate by stretching your arms overhead slowly while softly purring. Remind the students to stay relaxed and listen to their body.

Bunny Hop

Hop gently in place like a bunny and make a cheerful bunny sound.

Transition to the Bunny Hop pose. Show students how to gently hop in place and mimic a cheerful bunny sound. Emphasize gentle movements.

Butterfly Flutter

Sit down with legs extended and gently flap your arms like butterfly wings, whispering soft fluttering sounds.

Introduce the Butterfly Flutter pose. Demonstrate sitting with legs extended and gently flapping your arms like wings, making soft fluttering sounds.

Frog Jump

Crouch down like a frog and gently jump up, making a soft 'ribbit' sound.

Present the Frog Jump pose. Show how to crouch like a frog and gently jump up, landing softly, while making a gentle ribbit sound.

Deep Breathing

Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, hold, and then exhale slowly to feel calm.

Guide students in a closing deep breathing exercise. Ask them to take a deep breath in, hold it, and exhale as if releasing any tension. Encourage calm and relaxation.

Reflection Time

Which animal pose made you feel the calmest? Let's share our feelings.

Facilitate a brief reflection. Ask students which animal pose made them feel the calmest and encourage sharing.

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