Mindful Movement
Dance with mindfulness
This lesson combines gentle dance moves with mindfulness exercises to help students engage in physical activity while also learning to relax and focus. The activities are designed to promote both physical and emotional well-being.
Music player with calm background music, Open space for movement, and Video: Mindful Minutes: Tree Meditation for Children
- Gather students in a circle.
- Explain that today, they'll be moving their bodies gently and mindfully.
- Briefly discuss what mindfulness means—paying attention to our thoughts and movements.
- Start with light stretching: reach up high, touch toes, gentle twists.
- Play calm background music to set a peaceful atmosphere.
Step 3
Mindful Dance
10 mins
- Demonstrate simple, slow dance moves (e.g., moving arms like tree branches, gliding like a bird).
- Encourage students to follow along and focus on their movements.
- Emphasize breathing in sync with movements.
Step 4
Stretching Exercises
5 mins
- Lead students through a series of gentle stretches (e.g., child's pose, sitting butterfly stretch).
- Encourage them to take deep breaths and relax into each stretch.
Step 5
Mindfulness Activity
5 mins
- Gather students back into a circle.
- Ask them how they feel after the activities.
- Encourage them to remember these movements and mindfulness techniques for when they need to relax.
