Mindfulness Activity Guide

This activity guide is designed to help students tap into their inner calm and reflect on moments when they felt peaceful or content. The activity is both creative and introspective, allowing each student to express their personal experience with mindfulness.

Activity Overview

Objective:

• Encourage students to identify and reflect on personal experiences of calmness.
• Foster creativity and self-expression through drawing or writing.
• Reinforce the mindfulness concepts introduced during the lesson.

Materials Needed:

• Paper and drawing materials (crayons, markers, or pencils) or a writing journal.
• A quiet space to focus on the activity.

Instructions

1. Introduction:

   • Begin by briefly discussing what mindfulness means and some ways it helps us feel calm and focused. Mention that mindfulness is about noticing and appreciating moments of peace in our everyday lives.

2. Guided Reflection:

   • Ask the students to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. Prompt them to think of a time when they felt particularly calm. Encourage them to think about where they were, what they were doing, and how their body and mind felt in that moment.

3. Drawing/Writing:

   • Invite the students to either draw a picture or write a few sentences about the calm moment they recalled. They can:
     • Create a scene that represents how they felt.
     • Write down feelings or thoughts that describe their experience.
   • Provide a few starter prompts, such as:
     • "Draw a place where you feel super calm. What does it look like?"
     • "Write about a time when you felt really peaceful. What made that moment special?"

4. Sharing (Optional):

   • After the activity, allow students to share their drawings or writings with the class if they feel comfortable doing so. Emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to express how they feel.
   • Discuss common themes or elements that make people feel calm.

5. Follow-Up Reflection:

   • Wrap up the activity with a short reflection by asking the students:
     • "What did you notice about yourself during this activity?"
     • "How can you use this practice when you feel stressed or overwhelmed?"

Teacher Tips

• Encourage Creativity: Make it clear that artistic skills are not being evaluated. The focus is on expressing feelings and experiences.
• Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure that students feel safe and unjudged during both the activity and any sharing session.
• Respect Privacy: Some students may prefer to keep their reflections private. Always allow this option and gently encourage without forcing anyone to share.

This activity guide is a valuable tool to help students start building a habit of mindfulness, turning brief moments of reflection into lasting habits of calm and self-awareness.

Happy Mindful Moments!