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Mindful Art: Painting Calm

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Art Lesson Plan

Students will explore mindfulness through art by engaging in a painting activity that emphasizes process over perfection, helping them to find calm and enhance emotional regulation.

This lesson integrates mindfulness with creative expression, providing students with a practical way to manage stress and improve their concentration through art.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided mindful painting with step-by-step instructions.

Materials

Mindful Art Lesson Plan, Canvas or Paper, Watercolor or Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Aprons or Old Shirts, and Music Player (for calming background music)

Prep

Lesson Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Mindful Art Lesson Plan for detailed guidance.
  • Set up the art supplies in an accessible area.
  • Prepare a calming playlist to play during the activity.
  • Arrange the classroom in a way that minimizes distractions.
  • Ensure all students have their aprons or old shirts to avoid staining clothes.

Step 1

Introduction to Mindfulness and Art

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion about mindfulness, explaining what it means to be present and aware.
  • Ask students how art can help express feelings in a calm and relaxed manner.
  • Introduce the activity by explaining that the focus is on enjoying the process rather than creating a perfect picture.

Step 2

Guided Painting Activity

30 minutes

  • Distribute materials and instruct students to choose from the provided paint colors (#FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, #FFA6CF).
  • Encourage free expression—students can paint whatever comes to mind without worrying about mistakes.
  • Play calming music in the background to maintain a serene atmosphere.
  • Walk around to provide support and gentle guidance, prompting mindfulness reflections during the activity.

Step 3

Reflection and Sharing

10 minutes

  • Ask students to share their work and describe how the painting process made them feel.
  • Facilitate a discussion on the connection between creative expression and mindfulness.
  • Encourage students to reflect on the experience, emphasizing the importance of being present in each moment.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Mindful Art: Painting Calm

Today, we explore mindfulness through art. Let's take a deep breath and enjoy the journey of painting our feelings.

Welcome the students and introduce the concept of mindfulness. Explain how today’s activity will blend art with mindfulness to help them find calm and express themselves freely. Mention that the focus will be on the process of painting rather than achieving a perfect outcome.

Guided Painting Activity

• Choose your colors (#FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, #FFA6CF)
• Paint freely and focus on the experience
• Listen to calming background music
• Enjoy the process of creating art

Provide clear instructions for the guided painting activity. Remind students to choose colors from our calming palette (#FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, #FFA6CF) and to focus on the experience. Encourage them to let their creativity flow without worrying about mistakes.

Reflection & Sharing

• Share your artwork and discuss your experience
• What feelings or thoughts did the painting bring up?
• How did focusing on the process help you feel calm?

Facilitate a reflective discussion. Ask students how they felt during the activity and what they noticed about their thoughts and feelings while painting. Encourage sharing and validating each other's efforts.

lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome to Mindful Art: Painting Calm

Today, we explore mindfulness through art. Take a deep breath and get ready to paint your feelings!

Welcome the students, introduce the concept of mindfulness, and explain that today's painting activity is about enjoying the process of creation. Emphasize that the focus is not on perfection, but on expressing feelings and finding calm.

Guided Painting Activity

• Choose your colors: #FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, #FFA6CF
• Paint freely and focus on your experience
• Enjoy the calming background music
• Let your creativity flow!

Provide clear instructions for the painting activity. Direct the students to choose from the calming colors (#FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, #FFA6CF) and encourage them to paint freely while listening to soft, calming music.

Reflection & Sharing

• Share your artwork and how it made you feel.
• Discuss what you noticed while painting.
• Explore how mindfulness helped you feel calm.

Guide the students in reflecting on their creative process. Encourage discussion about how painting made them feel and what they discovered about themselves during the activity.

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Activity

Mindful Painting Activity

This activity is designed to guide you through a calming and creative art session where the focus is on enjoying the process of painting rather than creating a perfect picture. Use your feelings and thoughts as inspiration to explore mindfulness through art.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Setting the Scene

n- Begin by taking a few deep breaths and settling into the space. Feel the calmness
that surrounds you.

  • Listen to the soft, calming background music playing in the room.




2. Choosing Your Colors

n- Choose from the available calming colors: #FFC1E3, #FFB3D9, and #FFA6CF.

  • Think about how each color makes you feel as you decide which one suits your mood.




3. Begin Painting

n- Using the selected colors, start painting on your canvas or paper.

  • Remember: There is no right or wrong way to paint today. Let your emotions guide your brush:
    • If you feel calm, you might paint softly flowing lines.
    • If you’re feeling excited, try bold, energetic strokes.




4. Embrace the Process

n- Focus on your breathing and notice the sensations of the brush in your hand.

  • Really enjoy the process of creating something new, without worrying about the final image.
  • If any distracting thoughts come up, gently bring your focus back to the colors and the act of painting.




5. Reflection

n- Once you feel your piece is complete, take a moment to step back and appreciate your work.

  • Reflect on the experience: How did the act of painting make you feel?
  • Consider the connection between the colors you selected and your emotions while painting.







Reflection Prompts

  1. What colors did you choose and why?
  2. How did focusing on the process rather than the outcome change the way you painted?
  3. What did you learn about your feelings during this activity?

Write down or share your reflections with a partner or the class.












Enjoy the journey of creativity and mindfulness as you explore your inner feelings through art!

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