Mindful Moments! - Teacher Script

Introduction: What is Mindfulness? (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to learn about something super special that can help us feel calm, happy, and focused. It's called mindfulness!"

"Can anyone tell me what they think mindfulness might mean? What comes to your mind when you hear that word? Don't worry if you don't know, just guess!"

"Great ideas! Mindfulness is all about paying attention to what's happening right now, in this very moment. It's like really noticing your breath, or what you see, hear, or feel, on purpose, without worrying if it's good or bad. It's just noticing. Like really tasting your food, or really feeling the sun on your skin."

Why is it Important? (3 minutes)

"So, why do you think it's important to be mindful? How do you think paying attention to the present moment could help us?"

"That's right! Mindfulness can help us in many ways. It helps us feel more calm when we're feeling wiggly or worried. It helps us focus on our learning when our minds are buzzing. And it helps us understand our feelings, whether we're feeling happy, sad, or a little bit frustrated."

Mindful Breathing: Belly Breaths (5 minutes)

"One of the best ways to practice mindfulness is by noticing our breath. Our breath is always with us, and it can help us feel calm. Let's try something called Belly Breaths."

"Everyone, place one hand gently on your belly. Now, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, and feel your belly rise like a balloon! (Pause) And now, slowly let the air out through your mouth, feeling your belly go down. (Pause)"

"Let's do that a few more times. Breathe in... belly up. Breathe out... belly down. Really feel your hand move with your breath. Notice how your body feels as you breathe."

(Guide students through 3-5 slow belly breaths. Encourage quiet and focus.)

"How did that feel? Did you notice your belly moving?"

Watch and Learn! (3 minutes)

"Now, let's watch a short video that will show us a little more about mindful moments. As you watch, see if you can notice anything new about mindfulness!"

(Play the selected age-appropriate mindfulness video, ~2-3 minutes.)

"What did you notice in the video? Did you see anyone taking mindful breaths or noticing things around them?"

Mindful Body Scan Activity (10 minutes)

"Excellent observations! Now, we're going to do our own Mindful Body Scan Activity! This is where we gently notice different parts of our body, from our toes all the way up to our nose."

"I'm going to give each of you a special paper for this activity. You can sit comfortably or even lie down if there's space and you feel safe to do so. We'll go through it together."

(Distribute the Mindful Body Scan Activity worksheet.)

"Okay, let's get comfortable. You can close your eyes gently if you like, or just look softly at the floor. Take a deep breath in, and a slow breath out."

"First, let's notice our feet. Wiggle your toes. How do they feel? Are they warm or cool? Can you feel your socks or shoes on your feet?"

(Continue guiding students through different body parts - ankles, legs, tummy, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, head, face - prompting them to gently notice sensations without judgment. Refer to the activity sheet for specific prompts.)

"Now, let's take one more big mindful breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth. When you're ready, you can gently open your eyes or sit up."

Your Mindful Moment! (4 minutes)

"How did that feel to really pay attention to your body? Did you notice anything new?"

"That was a wonderful mindful moment! Remember, you can take mindful moments anytime, anywhere. If you're feeling worried, or excited, or just want to feel calm, you can always take a few belly breaths or notice your body."

"You'll be taking a letter home to your grown-ups about what we learned today, so you can share your mindful moments with them!"

(Distribute the Parent Letter: Mindful Moments at Home before students leave.)

Mindful Body Scan Activity

Name: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Today, we took a mindful moment to notice our bodies! It's like giving our body a gentle hug with our minds.

Part 1: My Mindful Body

Draw a picture of yourself noticing your body. What part of your body did you notice the most? What did it feel like?

Part 2: What I Noticed

Circle the words that describe how you felt during the Mindful Body Scan:

• Calm
• Relaxed
• Focused
• Curious
• Tired
• Wiggly
• Happy

Write or draw one thing you noticed about your body:

Part 3: My Mindful Breath

Draw how your belly moves when you take a deep, mindful breath. Show your belly going up like a balloon and down like a gentle wave.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today in class, your child participated in a special lesson all about Mindful Moments! We explored what mindfulness means and how it can help us in our everyday lives.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, without judgment. For young children, this means noticing their breath, sounds around them, or how their body feels, in a gentle and curious way.

Why is it Important for Young Children?

Learning mindfulness helps children develop important skills such such as:

• Emotional Regulation: It helps them recognize and understand their feelings, leading to calmer responses.
• Focus and Attention: Practicing mindfulness can improve their ability to concentrate in school and at home.
• Stress Reduction: It provides tools to manage worries and anxieties, promoting a sense of peace.
• Self-Awareness: Children become more aware of their bodies and minds.

What We Did in Class:

Your child learned to take "Belly Breaths" by feeling their belly rise and fall with each breath. We also did a "Mindful Body Scan" where we gently noticed different parts of our bodies, from our toes to our heads. We watched a short video to help us understand more about mindful moments.

How You Can Practice Mindfulness at Home:

We encourage you to continue these mindful practices at home! Here are a few simple ideas:

• Mindful Breathing: Take a few slow, deep "Belly Breaths" together before bedtime or when your child needs to calm down.
• Mindful Eating: When eating a snack or meal, encourage your child to notice the colors, smells, tastes, and textures of their food.
• Mindful Listening: Spend a minute in silence, listening for all the different sounds you can hear both inside and outside your home.
• Mindful Walking: Notice how your feet feel as you walk. What do you see, hear, or smell around you?
• "I Notice..." Game: Take turns saying "I notice..." about something in your environment (e.g., "I notice the green leaves on the tree," "I notice the sound of the birds").

Thank you for supporting your child's social-emotional learning! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,

[Your Teacher's Name]