Mindful Moments Activity: My Calm Corner

Welcome to your Mindful Moments Activity! Today we're going to practice noticing the world around us and how our bodies feel. This will help us find our calm corner inside.

Part 1: My Breathing Balloon

Remember how we breathed like a balloon? Let's draw what it feels like!

1. Put your hand on your belly.
2. Take a deep breath in. What happens to your belly? (It gets bigger like a balloon!)
3. Breathe out slowly. What happens to your belly now? (It gets smaller.)

Draw your belly as it gets big like a balloon when you breathe in, and then as it gets smaller when you breathe out. Use arrows to show the air going in and out!

Part 2: Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Let's use our amazing senses to notice things around us! Look, listen, and feel carefully.

What do you SEE?

Look around the room or out a window. What are three things you notice right now that you haven't really looked at today? Draw or write them below.

1. ____________________________________
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________
   
   
   
3. ____________________________________
   
   
   

What do you HEAR?

Close your eyes for a moment if you feel comfortable. What are two sounds you can hear right now, both near and far away? Draw or write them below.

1. ____________________________________
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________
   
   
   

What do you FEEL?

Notice how your body feels. What do you feel on your skin or in your hands or feet? What is one thing you can feel right now (e.g., your clothes, the chair, the air)? Draw or write it below.

1. ____________________________________
   
   
   

Part 3: My Mindful Moment Plan

When might you use a mindful moment to help yourself feel calm or focused?

I can use a mindful moment when I feel:
____________________________________________________________________________________

I can use a mindful moment when I need to:
____________________________________________________________________________________

Great job with your mindful moments! Keep practicing, and you'll find your calm corner anytime you need it.

Mindful Moments Mini-Breaks Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going on a special adventure right here in our classroom. It's an adventure to discover something called 'Mindful Moments.' Has anyone heard of mindfulness before, or what it might mean to be 'mindful'?"

(Allow students to share their ideas. Affirm and gently correct as needed.)

Teacher: "Great ideas! Being mindful means paying attention to the present moment, right here, right now, without judging it. It's like giving our brains and bodies a mini-break to feel calm and focused. And guess what? We all have the power to do it!"

Teacher: "Today, we're going to learn some super simple tricks to help us take these mindful moments. We'll learn to breathe like a balloon and use our amazing senses to notice the world around us. These tricks can help us when we feel worried, excited, or just need to focus. Are you ready?"

(Transition to Mindful Moments Slide Deck - Slide 1: Welcome to Mindful Moments!)

Teacher: "As you can see on our slide, these mindful moments are quick breaks to help us feel calm, focus, and pay attention. They are like tools for our brains and bodies. We'll cover what mindfulness is, practice breathing, try a sensory activity, and talk about when to use these moments. Let's dive in!"

Mindful Breathing Practice (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Our first mindful trick is all about breathing. Our breath is always with us, and it's an amazing tool to help us feel calm. Let's try something called 'Breathe Like a Balloon'."

(Transition to Mindful Moments Slide Deck - Slide 2: Mindful Breathing: Breathe Like a Balloon)

Teacher: "First, find a comfy spot in your seat. You can sit up tall, or if you prefer, you can stand. Now, gently place one hand on your belly. This will help you feel your breath."

Teacher: "Ready? Let's take a slow, deep breath in through our noses. As you breathe in, feel your belly rise up like a big balloon filling with air. (Model this.)"

Teacher: "Now, slowly breathe out through your mouth, like you're gently letting air out of the balloon. Feel your belly fall. (Model this.)"

Teacher: "Let's do that together three more times. Breathe in... belly rises. Breathe out... belly falls. (Pause for students to breathe.) Again, breathe in... breathe out. (Pause.) One last time, breathe in... breathe out."

Teacher: "How does that feel? Did anyone notice their belly moving? What did it feel like to focus just on your breath for a few moments?"
(Allow a few students to share.)

Teacher: "Wonderful! Remember, you can use your 'Breathe Like a Balloon' anytime you need to feel a little more calm or focused."

Sensory Awareness Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, let's explore our second mindful trick: using our 'Sensory Superpowers'! Our senses – seeing, hearing, and feeling – help us notice all the cool things around us. When we pay close attention to our senses, it helps us stay in the present moment."

(Transition to Mindful Moments Slide Deck - Slide 3: Sensory Superpowers: What Do You Notice?)

Teacher: "I'm going to give each of you a special Mindful Moments Activity worksheet. We'll use this to help us with our sensory scavenger hunt!"
(Distribute Mindful Moments Activity worksheets.)

Teacher: "First, let's use our eyes! Look around you right now. What colors do you notice? What shapes? Can you spot three things you've never really looked at today, even if they've always been there? Write or draw these on your worksheet under 'What do you SEE?'."
(Give students a minute or two to observe and record.)

Teacher: "Next, let's use our ears! If you feel comfortable, you can gently close your eyes. What sounds can you hear? Can you hear sounds inside our room? What about sounds from outside? Listen very carefully for the softest sound you can find. Write or draw two sounds you hear on your worksheet under 'What do you HEAR?'."
(Give students a minute or two to observe and record.)

Teacher: "Finally, let's use our sense of touch or feeling! Wiggle your fingers and toes. What do you feel on your skin? Maybe the clothes you're wearing, the chair beneath you, or even the air around you? What is one thing you can feel right now? Write or draw it on your worksheet under 'What do you FEEL?'."
(Give students a minute or two to observe and record.)

Teacher: "It's amazing what we notice when we really pay attention, isn't it? Our senses are like superpowers that connect us to this very moment!"

Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Wow, you all did a fantastic job with your Mindful Moments today! Let's talk about it. How did you feel during our breathing exercise or our sensory scavenger hunt? Did anything surprise you?"
(Allow a few students to share their reflections.)

Teacher: "Now, think about your day at school or at home. When do you think you could use a 'Mindful Moment' to help yourself? Maybe when you feel worried before a test? Or when you're super excited? Or even when you just need to focus on your homework?"
(Guide students to complete 'Part 3: My Mindful Moment Plan' on their worksheet.)

Teacher: "Remember, your breath is always there for you, and your senses help you connect to the present moment. The more you practice these mindful moments, the easier it will get. They are your secret tools to help you feel calm and focused, anytime you need them!"

(Transition to Mindful Moments Slide Deck - Slide 4: Your Mindful Moments Toolkit!)

Teacher: "You've got this! Go forth and be mindful! I encourage you to try one mindful moment today, maybe when you get home or during your next class transition."