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Mindful Trees

Lesson Plan

Mindful Trees

Mindfulness

This lesson introduces kindergarten students to mindfulness through a fun and engaging activity, a short video, and a worksheet. Students will learn to focus on their breathing and imagination to cultivate a sense of calm and gratitude. This lesson is important as it helps young children develop emotional regulation skills and a sense of inner peace, which are crucial for their overall well-being and social interactions.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Game-Based Learning, Active Learning

Materials

Mindful Minutes: Tree Meditation for Children video, Mindfulness Worksheet, Crayons, Markers, and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Gather students in a circle on the floor.
  • Share a short story: "Once upon a time, there was a calm tree in a beautiful forest. This tree stood tall and strong, feeling the warm sun and gentle breeze every day. It was home to many birds and animals who loved its shade and strength. The tree was always calm, even when the wind blew hard, because it knew its roots were deep and strong."
  • Explain what mindfulness is: "Mindfulness is like being a detective. It's about paying close attention to everything around you and inside you. Just like a detective notices small clues, mindfulness helps us notice our feelings, thoughts, and the world around us."
  • Use our senses: "We can practice mindfulness by using our senses. For example, when we eat, we can notice the taste, smell, and texture of our food. When we listen, we can hear the different sounds around us, like birds chirping or leaves rustling."
  • Being present: "Mindfulness means being present in the moment, not thinking about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. It's like when you're playing your favorite game and you're so focused that you forget about everything else."
  • Benefits of mindfulness: "Mindfulness helps us feel calm, handle big feelings, focus better, and be kind to ourselves and others."
  • Ask students if they have ever felt like a tree, strong and calm, or if they have ever noticed something special by paying close attention.

Step 2

Video Viewing

5 mins

  • Transition by saying: "Now, let's watch a video that will help us practice being like a calm tree."
  • Show the Mindful Minutes: Tree Meditation for Children video.
  • Encourage students to follow along with the movements and breathing.

Step 3

Mindful Tree Activity

10 mins

  • Transition by saying: "Let's become trees ourselves!"
  • Lead students in a 'Mindful Tree' activity:
    • Have them stand up and imagine they are trees, with roots growing into the ground.
    • Guide them through gentle swaying movements, like the video.
    • Encourage deep breathing and feeling the "wind" as they sway.
  • Reinforce the idea of being strong and calm like a tree.

Step 4

Worksheet Activity

7 mins

  • Transition by saying: "Now, let's draw our own special trees."
  • Distribute the Mindfulness Worksheet.
  • Ask students to draw themselves as a tree, including things that make them feel strong and calm.
  • Encourage them to use crayons and markers to add details.
  • Walk around to provide support and encouragement.

Step 5

Closure

3 mins

  • Gather students back in a circle.
  • Ask a few students to share their drawings and what makes them feel strong and calm.
  • Conclude with a moment of gratitude, asking students to think of one thing they are thankful for today.
  • Reinforce the day's learning by reminding them to practice being mindful like a tree.
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Worksheet

Mindfulness Worksheet

This worksheet helps students reflect on what makes them feel strong and calm by drawing themselves as a tree. It encourages creativity and mindfulness through art.

Draw yourself as a tree. What makes you feel strong and calm?

Think about things you love or that make you happy.







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