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Mindfulness Moments

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Lesson Plan

Mindfulness Moments Lesson Plan

Introduce students to mindfulness through simple breathing and listening exercises, helping them improve focus and emotional regulation in a fun, age-appropriate way.

Early mindfulness practice builds self-regulation, emotional awareness, and concentration—skills that support learning readiness and calm classroom behavior.

Audience

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided activities with reflection.

Materials

Starfish Breathing Poster, Mindfulness Moments Reflection Journal, Mindful Listening Bell Audio, Crayons or Colored Pencils, and Comfortable Seating or Mats

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction

5 minutes

  • Invite students to sit comfortably in a circle
  • Explain that mindfulness means paying attention to our breath and sounds around us
  • Lead two deep, slow breaths together to settle in

Step 2

Guided Starfish Breathing

10 minutes

  • Show the Starfish Breathing Poster
  • Demonstrate tracing one finger along the ‘starfish’ while inhaling and exhaling
  • Guide students through 4–5 rounds of starfish breathing at a calm pace
  • Encourage gentle smiles and remind them to focus on the breath

Step 3

Mindful Listening

5 minutes

  • Ask students to close their eyes or soften their gaze
  • Explain that they will listen carefully to a sound until they no longer hear it
  • Play the Mindful Listening Bell Audio
  • Invite students to raise a hand when they no longer hear the bell’s sound

Step 4

Reflection Journal Time

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Mindfulness Moments Reflection Journal and crayons
  • Prompt students to draw or color how they felt before the exercises and how they feel now
  • Circulate to support and discuss feelings with individual students

Step 5

Closure & Sharing

5 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to share their journal drawings and words
  • Praise students for their calm focus and bravery in sharing
  • Encourage them to practice breathing and mindful listening anytime they feel wiggly or worried
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Activity

Components for the Lesson

Your “Mindfulness Moments” lesson will include three key components:

  1. Lesson Plan
    A detailed roadmap for the teacher, outlining objectives, materials, daily schedule, and step-by-step instructions for the whole 30-minute session.

  2. Activity (Starfish Breathing)
    A hands-on, kinesthetic breathing exercise that helps students learn to calm themselves by tracing a starfish image with their finger as they inhale and exhale.

  3. Reflection Journal
    A simple drawing/coloring worksheet where students record how they feel before and after the mindfulness exercises, promoting emotional awareness and self-expression.

Each component builds on the others to guide, engage, and help students reflect on their new mindfulness skills.

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Journal

Mindfulness Moments Reflection Journal

1. How I Felt Before Mindfulness

Before we practiced breathing and listening, how did you feel? Were you wiggly, calm, excited, or something else? Draw a picture to show your feelings.











2. How I Feel After Mindfulness

After our starfish breathing and mindful listening, how do you feel now? Draw a picture to show your calm or happy feelings.











Optional:

  • What did you notice about your breathing?
  • What sounds did you hear when we listened quietly?

Write a word or two if you can:



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