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Happy Minds

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments

Students will practice simple breathing and mindfulness techniques to manage their emotions and recognize the support of family and community members.

Introducing mindfulness in 1st grade builds emotional awareness, reduces stress, and strengthens connections to family and community supports at school and home.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

7 minutes

Approach

Guided breathing with reflection prompts.

Materials

Breathe with Me Slide Deck, and Bubble Breaths Warm-Up

Prep

Review & Setup

5 minutes

  • Review this Mindful Moments lesson plan and familiarize yourself with objectives and prompts.
  • Open the Breathe with Me Slide Deck and cue the first slide.
  • Have the Bubble Breaths Warm-Up script or slides ready.
  • Test any audio or visual elements.
  • Arrange a calm, distraction-free space where students can sit comfortably.

Step 1

Welcome & Settle In

1 minute

  • Invite students to gather in a circle or on carpet squares.
  • Explain that you’ll practice breathing and think about people who care for us.
  • Encourage them to sit tall with hands resting in their laps.

Step 2

Bubble Breaths Activity

2 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Bubble Breaths Warm-Up.
  • Guide students to inhale deeply through the nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips, as if blowing bubbles.
  • Repeat for five slow breaths, imagining each bubble carrying away tension and filling them with calm.

Step 3

Breathe with Me Slides

2 minutes

  • Advance to the next slides in the Breathe with Me Slide Deck.
  • Lead two patterned breaths (e.g., inhale for a count of four, exhale for four).
  • Invite students to notice how their bodies feel before and after the breaths.

Step 4

Family Connection Prompt

1 minute

  • Ask: “Who helps you feel calm or happy at home?”
  • Invite a few volunteers to name family members or caregivers.
  • Acknowledge each response, emphasizing that these people support their well-being.

Step 5

Community & Resources

1 minute

  • Briefly mention trusted adults at school (teacher, counselor) and community helpers (doctor, librarian).
  • Share one accessible resource (e.g., school counselor’s name) for students to talk to when they feel upset.
  • Remind them they are never alone with their feelings.

Step 6

Closing & Reflection

—

  • Lead one final, deep breath together.
  • Ask students to give a thumbs-up if they feel more relaxed or supported.
  • Praise their effort and remind them they can practice these breathing techniques anytime.
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Slide Deck

Breathe With Me!

Let’s learn a special breathing pattern to help us feel calm and happy.

Welcome students and invite them to sit tall with hands in their laps. Explain that today we will use our breath to feel calm and strong.

Inhale for 4

Breathe in slowly through your nose... 1... 2... 3... 4

Point to the words as you say them. Count slowly so students can follow.

Exhale for 4

Blow the air out gently… 1... 2... 3... 4

Demonstrate exhaling gently through pursed lips. Encourage soft, steady breaths.

Notice How You Feel

What do you feel after breathing? Do you feel calm, strong, or happy?

Ask students to place a hand on their chest or tummy to feel their breath. Give them a moment to notice.

Your Support Circle

Who helps you feel calm or happy? Think of family, friends, or teachers.

Invite a few volunteers to name people who help them feel calm at home or school. Affirm each response.

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Warm Up

Bubble Breaths Warm-Up Script

Objective: Guide students to practice slow, mindful breathing by imagining they’re blowing bubbles, helping them feel calm and centered.

Materials: None (just your voice and imagination!)

Instructions

  1. Get Ready to Breathe (30 seconds)

    • Invite students to sit tall like royalty or superheroes.
    • Encourage them to place hands on their tummy if they like and close their eyes (or look softly at the floor).
    • Explain: “Today we’ll pretend to blow big, beautiful bubbles with our breath.”

  2. Bubble Breaths Practice (1 minute)

    • Say: “Take a big sniff in through your nose… fill your tummy with air, like you’re gathering breath to make a bubble.”
    • Pause for inhale.
    • Say: “Now gently blow out through your lips as if you’re blowing a bubble… watch it float away!”
    • Repeat for five bubbles, guiding: “Ready? 1…2…3…4…5 bubbles!”

  3. Reflect & Feel (30 seconds)

    • Ask students to place their hands on their chest or tummy and notice the movement.
    • Prompt: “How did your body feel when you blew those bubbles? Calm? Happy? Relaxed?”
    • Invite one or two volunteers to share their feelings.

  4. Close & Transition (—)

    • Lead one final, deep “bubble breath” together.
    • Encourage a big exhale.
    • Say: “Great job! Remember—you can blow bubble breaths anytime you need to feel calm.”

Connect to the next activity by reminding students you’re all ready to learn together!

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