Warm-Up: Happy Freeze Dance

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Soft Happy Music

Instructions:
- Play soft, upbeat music and invite children to spread out and dance freely.
- After 20–30 seconds, pause the music and call out “Freeze!”
- When the music stops, children must hold a “happy pose” anywhere in the room—big smile, arms up, bouncy legs, etc.
- Walk around and notice how each child is shining with happiness.

Teacher Script:
“Show me your happiest freeze! How did your body feel when you danced? Did you feel a bounce or a wiggle? Can you show me where the happiness lives in your body right now?”

Activity: Face & Body Feelings Match

Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Happiness Feeling Cards, Mini Handheld Mirrors, Circle Mat

Instructions:
1. Have students sit in a circle on the mat with the Happiness Feeling Cards placed face down in the center.
2. Invite one child at a time to pick a card and show it to the class.
- Ask: “What do you notice about this person’s face? Are they smiling or grinning? What shape are their eyes?”
- Ask: “Where might they feel happiness in their body? Arms? Legs? Tummy?”
3. Pass a mirror to each student. Prompt them to practice the same happy face they see on the card.
- Ask: “When you smile big, what happens to your cheeks? How does your chest feel? Can you take a big happy breath?”
4. After everyone has tried, lead a quick sharing:
- Ask: “Show me where you feel happiness in your body right now. Can you point to your heart or your tummy?”

Teacher Script:
“Look at this card—see that big grin and bright eyes? When I make that face, my cheeks lift and my heart feels warm, like it’s full of sunshine. Now you try in your mirror! How does that feel in your body? Does it tickle your cheeks or make your belly feel bouncy?”

Cool-Down: Happy Breaths & Sharing

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Circle Mat

Instructions:
- Gather students on the circle mat and have them sit comfortably.
- Invite them to place one hand on their heart and one on their tummy.
- Lead three slow, deep “happy” breaths together: inhale through the nose (fill your belly like a balloon), then exhale through the mouth (let the air out with a soft sigh).
- After breathing, prompt each child: “Share one thing that makes you happy and where you feel it in your body.”

Teacher Script:
“I love hearing what makes each of you happy! When I take a deep, happy breath, I feel a warm flutter right here in my chest. Now, who would like to share their happy feeling?”

Happy Bodies, Happy Faces: Teacher Script

Introduction (1 minute)

“Hello, friends! Welcome to our special time together. Today, we’re going to play, practice, and share all about how happiness shows up in our bodies and on our faces. Can you give me a big, happy wave?”

(Wait and celebrate each child’s wave.)

Warm-Up: Happy Freeze Dance (5 minutes)

1. “We’re going to start with a Happy Freeze Dance! When the music plays, dance any way you like—wiggle your arms, bounce your legs, spin in a circle. Ready?”
2. (Start the soft happy music.)
3. After 20–30 seconds, pause the music and say:
   “Freeze! Hold your happiest pose—show me your biggest smile, arms up high, legs all bouncy!”
4. (Walk around and notice each child.)
   “Wow, look at those smiles! How did your body feel when you danced? Did you feel a wiggle in your tummy or a bounce in your legs?”
   
   
5. Prompt a couple of children:
   “Maria, can you show us your happy pose one more time? How does your tummy feel right now? What about you, Jamal?”
6. Repeat dance and freeze one more time if time allows, encouraging children to notice their body feelings.

Activity: Face & Body Feelings Match (15 minutes)

1. “Now let’s sit down on our circle mat. Each of you has a little mirror next to your spot. In the middle are our Happiness Feeling Cards.”
2. “I’ll invite one friend at a time to come pick a card, show it to the class, and tell us what they notice.”
   • (Call on a child.) “Sarah, would you like to pick a card?”
     • “What do you notice about this person’s face? Are they smiling, grinning, or maybe laughing?”
     • “What shape are their eyes? Do they look big or squinty?”
3. “Great noticing, Sarah! Now, where might this friend feel happiness in their body? Arms? Legs? Tummy? Point to where you think it is.”
4. “Okay, friends, let’s all take a mirror. Look closely and practice making that same happy face.”
   • “When I make that big smile, I feel my cheeks lifting and my heart feeling warm, like sunshine. Can you try? How does it feel in your cheeks? In your chest? Show me!”
   
   
5. (Pause for children to practice.)
   “Wonderful! Some of you feel tickles in your cheeks. Some feel bouncy in your belly. That’s exactly what happiness can do!”
6. “Who would like to show their happy face one more time and tell us where they felt it?”
   (Encourage 2–3 volunteers.)

Cool-Down: Happy Breaths & Sharing (5 minutes)

1. “Let’s make our bodies calm again. Sit comfortably with legs crossed on the mat. Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your tummy.”
2. “We’re going to take three big, happy breaths together. Breathe in through your nose and fill your tummy like a balloon… now blow out gently through your mouth with a soft sigh.”
   • Breath 1: In… and out.
   • Breath 2: In… and out.
   • Breath 3: In… and out.
3. “When I take a happy breath, I feel warm butterflies in my chest. Now, I’d love to hear from you!”
   • “What is one thing that makes you happy?”
   • “Where do you feel that happiness in your body? Can you point to your heart, your tummy, or anywhere else?”
4. (Invite each child in turn. Provide gentle encouragement.)
   “It’s okay if you want to just point instead of talk. I’m so proud of you for sharing.”
5. After all have shared:
   “Thank you for sharing your happy feelings, friends! Remember, you can find happiness in your face and in your body anytime. I loved seeing all your smiles today.”

Closing (1 minute)

“Great job noticing happiness, everyone! Next time you feel a big smile or a wiggle in your belly, remember how proud you are of your happy body and happy face. Have a wonderful rest of your day!”