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lenny

Mindful Moments

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hannah carlson

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Lesson Plan

Students will engage in a 15-minute mindful routine—starting with a quick warm-up, moving into guided breathing, and ending with mindful stretches—to build self-management skills and improve focus.

Young learners often struggle with transitions and self-control; this routine fosters calm, body awareness, and attention, setting a positive tone for the day’s learning.

Audience

Kindergarten Class

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Structured, engaging activities with visual cues.

Materials

Morning Mindful Minute Warm-Up Cards, - Guided Breathing Script Handout, and - Stretch & Breathe Activity Chart

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print, cut, and optionally laminate Morning Mindful Minute Warm-Up Cards.
  • Print enough copies of the Guided Breathing Script Handout for teacher reference.
  • Print and display the Stretch & Breathe Activity Chart where all students can see.
  • Review each material and practice leading the breathing script and stretches to ensure smooth delivery.

Step 1

Morning Mindful Minute

3 minutes

  • Have students sit or stand in a circle facing you.
  • Ring a calming chime or use a gentle bell to signal the start.
  • Show one of the Morning Mindful Minute Warm-Up Cards and read its prompt (e.g., “Imagine a soft cloud above you…”).
  • Guide students to close their eyes, take one deep breath in, and slowly exhale while visualizing the prompt.
  • Repeat with 1–2 additional cards, keeping the tone calm and soothing.

Step 2

Guided Breathing Script

5 minutes

  • Ask students to sit crisscross and place hands on their bellies.
  • Read aloud the Guided Breathing Script Handout slowly and clearly.
  • Lead them through three rounds: inhale through the nose for 3 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, exhale through the mouth for 4 seconds.
  • Encourage students to feel their belly rise and fall with each breath.
  • After each round, pause briefly and ask, “How does your body feel now?” to build awareness.

Step 3

Stretch & Breathe Activity

7 minutes

  • Have students stand behind their seats or on soft mats.
  • Display the Stretch & Breathe Activity Chart.
  • Lead each stretch: inhale as arms reach overhead, exhale folding forward; inhale for a gentle backbend, exhale standing tall; inhale arms wide, exhale bringing hands to heart.
  • Perform each stretch 3 times in sync with the breath.
  • Conclude by asking students to shake out their hands and smile, reinforcing a sense of calm energy ready for learning.
lenny

Slide Deck

Mindful Moments

Short daily routine for focus & self-control

Welcome the students with a warm smile. Explain that each morning we’ll take a few moments together to calm our minds and bodies before learning begins.

Why Mindfulness?

  • Calms the mind
  • Enhances focus
  • Builds self-control

Point to each bullet as you speak. Emphasize how taking mindful breaks can help us feel calm and ready to learn.

Morning Mindful Minute

  1. Sit in a circle
  2. Ring a calming chime
  3. Show a warm-up card
  4. Close eyes & visualize
  5. Inhale deeply & exhale slowly

Hold up a warm-up card. Ring a gentle chime to signal the start. Guide students through 2–3 visualization prompts with deep breaths.

Guided Breathing

• Inhale through nose for 3 seconds
• Hold breath for 2 seconds
• Exhale through mouth for 4 seconds
(Repeat ×3)

Notice your belly rise & fall!

Demonstrate placing hands on your belly. Lead three rounds of the breathing pattern, pausing to ask how their bodies feel.

Stretch & Breathe

• Inhale: arms reach overhead → Exhale: fold forward
• Inhale: gentle backbend → Exhale: stand tall
• Inhale: arms wide → Exhale: hands to heart
(Repeat each ×3)

Model each stretch in sync with the breath. Encourage students to follow along, matching inhale/exhale movements.

Ready to Begin?

Shake your hands, smile, and let’s start our mindful routine!

Invite students to shake out their hands and smile. Transition smoothly to the next classroom activity.

lenny

Warm Up

Morning Mindful Minute Warm-Up Cards

Use these six cards to guide quick visualization prompts during the Morning Mindful Minute. Show one card at a time, breathe in deeply as you read the prompt, and exhale slowly as students imagine the scene.

  1. Soft Cloud
    Imagine a soft, fluffy cloud above you. Breathe in slowly, and as you breathe out, watch the cloud drift gently away.



  1. Gentle Rain
    Picture gentle raindrops falling on a leaf. Inhale as you feel them land, exhale as the water rolls off the leaf.



  1. Floating Bubble
    Envision a shiny bubble in front of you. Breathe in to grow the bubble, breathe out as it floats up and away.



  1. Warm Sunbeam
    Feel a warm sunbeam shining on your face. Inhale its warmth, exhale any tension, letting it melt away.



  1. Swaying Leaf
    Imagine a green leaf swaying on a branch. Inhale to sway toward it, exhale as it swings back in the breeze.



  1. Calm Ocean
    Picture gentle waves at the ocean’s edge. Inhale as a wave comes in, exhale as it flows back out to sea.






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lenny

Script

Guided Breathing Script Handout

Use this script to lead three clear, gentle breathing rounds. Read slowly and pause as indicated so students can follow and feel each breath.

Before you begin:

  • Remind students to sit “crisscross applesauce,” spine tall, and hands resting gently on their bellies.
  • Speak in a calm, soft voice. Allow about 3 seconds for inhales, 2 seconds to hold, and 4 seconds for exhales.

Teacher (Warm-Up):
“Good morning, friends! Today we’re going to practice breathing like big, slow waves. Let’s sit up tall, hands on our tummies, and get ready.”

Round 1:

  1. Teacher: “Take a slow breath in through your nose. Ready? 1... 2... 3…”
    (Pause for 3 seconds as you count aloud.)
  2. Teacher: “Hold it… 1… 2…”
    (Pause for 2 seconds, fingers on belly so you can feel it rise.)
  3. Teacher: “And breathe out through your mouth. Steady… 1… 2… 3… 4.”
    (Exhale slowly, letting your belly fall.)
  4. Teacher: “Wonderful job! How did your belly feel when it rose and fell?”
    (Pause briefly for 5–7 seconds to let a few students share. If needed prompt: “My belly felt...”)

Round 2:

  1. Teacher: “Let’s do it again. Breathe in through your nose. 1... 2... 3...”
  2. Teacher: “Hold it. 1... 2...”
  3. Teacher: “And out through your mouth. 1... 2... 3... 4...”
  4. Teacher: “Great breathing! Did you notice any difference this time?”
    (Pause to listen. Prompt: “I felt more calm because...”)

Round 3:

  1. Teacher: “One more round. In through your nose… 1… 2… 3…”
  2. Teacher: “Hold… 1… 2…”
  3. Teacher: “Exhale out through your mouth… 1… 2… 3… 4…”
  4. Teacher: “Excellent work! How does your body feel now?”
    (Pause; ask follow-up: “Do your shoulders feel relaxed? Is your tummy nice and soft?”)

Closing:
Teacher: “You all did an amazing job using your mindful breaths! Let’s shake out our hands, smile, and get ready for our next activity.”

lenny
lenny

Activity

Stretch & Breathe Activity Chart

Use this chart to lead three mindful stretches in sync with the breath. Perform each movement 3 times, inhaling as you move into the pose and exhaling as you release.

Pose NameInhale (In)Exhale (Out)Repetitions
Overhead Reach & FoldReach arms high above your headSlowly fold forward, reaching toward toes×3
Gentle BackbendLift chest, arch slightly back (hands on hips or overhead)Return to standing tall, hands by sides×3
Heart HugOpen arms wide to the sides, stretch outBring hands together at the center of your chest×3

Instructions:

  1. Stand tall, feet hip-width apart.
  2. Follow each row: inhale into the first column movement, exhale into the second.
  3. Repeat each pose the indicated number of times.
  4. After finishing, shake out your hands and smile to complete the routine.

Let’s flow with our breaths and feel calm, strong, and ready to learn!

lenny
lenny