Mindful Movement Activity Cards

Instructions for Teacher: Print these cards and use them to guide students through various mindful breaths and movements. Encourage students to mimic the animals and focus on their breath and body sensations.

Card 1: Bunny Breath 🐰

• How to do it: Pretend your nose is a bunny nose! Take three quick sniffs through your nose (sniff, sniff, sniff) and then a long, slow exhale out through your mouth, like blowing a dandelion. You can even wiggle your nose!
• Why it helps: This breath can help us feel more awake and focused.

Card 2: Lion's Breath 🦁

• How to do it: Take a big, deep breath in through your nose, filling your belly like a balloon. Then, open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and let out a big "HAAAA" sound as you exhale, like a roaring lion! Try to look fierce but friendly!
• Why it helps: This breath helps us let out any grumpy feelings or big energy and feel more relaxed.

Card 3: Snake Breath 🐍

• How to do it: Take a long, slow breath in through your nose. As you breathe out, make a gentle "sssss" sound, like a snake slithering through the grass. Make your exhale long and steady.
• Why it helps: This breath helps us slow down and feel calm and quiet.

Card 4: Tree Pose 🌳

• How to do it: Stand tall like a tree. Lift one foot and place it on your ankle, calf, or even your knee (but not directly on your knee joint!). You can put your hands together in front of your chest or reach them up to the sky like branches. Wobble a little, it's okay! Then switch sides.
• Why it helps: This pose helps us practice balance and focus, making our bodies strong and steady.

Teacher Script: Mindful Movement Adventure

Warm-Up: Wiggle Like a Worm (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning, wonderful explorers! Who has some wiggles they need to get out today? I know I do! Let's get our bodies ready for our adventure by wiggling like a worm! Can you wiggle your whole body? Great! Now, stretch like a sleepy cat waking up. Meeeow! And shake like a puppy who just got wet! Shake, shake, shake!"

(Teacher says): "Fantastic wiggling, everyone! Now that we've gotten our wiggles out, let's get ready for our mindful movement adventure!"

Introduction: What is Mindful Movement? (5 minutes)

(Teacher says, as Slide 1: Welcome to Our Mindful Movement Adventure! is displayed): "Today, we're going on a special adventure called a Mindful Movement Adventure! Does anyone know what 'mindful' means? It means paying really close attention, especially to our bodies and our breaths. Just like when you pay attention to your favorite toy, we can pay attention to how our bodies feel and how our breath goes in and out."

(Teacher asks): "What does 'paying attention' to your body mean to you? How does your tummy feel right now? Or your toes?"

(Teacher says): "That's right! It's listening to what our body tells us. And today, we're going to learn some fun ways to do just that, using some special animal friends!"

Mindful Movement Activity: Animal Breaths (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "I have some special Mindful Movement Activity Cards here! Each card shows an animal doing a special breath or movement that helps them feel calm or focused. We're going to try a few of them together!"

(Teacher picks up "Bunny Breath" card from Mindful Movement Activity Cards and demonstrates):
"Our first animal friend is the Bunny! Bunnies are very alert. Can you pretend your nose is a bunny nose? Let's take three quick sniffs through our nose (sniff, sniff, sniff) and then a long, slow exhale out through our mouth, like blowing a dandelion. You can even wiggle your nose!"

(Teacher guides students through a few rounds of Bunny Breath).

(Teacher asks): "How does your body feel now after doing the Bunny Breath? Do you feel more awake?"

(Teacher picks up "Lion's Breath" card from Mindful Movement Activity Cards and demonstrates):
"Next up, it's the mighty Lion! Sometimes lions have big, loud feelings, and they let them out with a roar! Let's take a big, deep breath in through our nose, filling our belly like a balloon. Then, open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and let out a big 'HAAAA' sound as you exhale, like a roaring lion! Try to look fierce but friendly!"

(Teacher guides students through a few rounds of Lion's Breath).

(Teacher asks): "Wow, that was a powerful roar! How does your body feel now after letting out that big breath? Do you feel a little lighter?"

(Teacher picks up "Snake Breath" card from Mindful Movement Activity Cards and demonstrates):
"Our last animal breath for today is the quiet Snake! Snakes are very calm and move smoothly. Let's take a long, slow breath in through our nose. As you breathe out, make a gentle 'sssss' sound, like a snake slithering through the grass. Make your exhale long and steady."

(Teacher guides students through a few rounds of Snake Breath).

(Teacher asks): "Did you feel like a calm, slithering snake? How do your bodies feel now? Maybe a little calmer, a little quieter?"

Cool-Down: Starfish Stretch & Calm Down (5 minutes)

(Teacher says, as Slide 2: Calm Like a Starfish is displayed): "Now, let's pretend we are beautiful Starfish at the bottom of the calm ocean. Can everyone lie down on their backs and spread their arms and legs out wide, just like a starfish?"

(Teacher guides students into position): "Great! Now, take a deep breath in through your nose, and as you breathe out, imagine all the wiggles and busy thoughts leaving your body. Feel your body getting softer and heavier on the floor."

(Teacher continues gently): "Imagine the ocean water gently rocking you. You are safe, you are still, and you are calm. Feel your tummy rise and fall with each gentle breath. Just like a peaceful starfish."

(After about a minute of quiet breathing): "Slowly, you can wiggle your fingers and toes, and when you are ready, you can gently sit up. Take your time."

(Teacher asks): "How do your bodies and minds feel now, after being calm like a starfish? What did you notice?"

(Teacher concludes): "You all did a wonderful job on our Mindful Movement Adventure today! Remember, whenever you need to feel calm or focused, you can be a bunny, a lion, a snake, or a starfish! Great work, everyone!"