ACTIVITIES

Mirror Mirror

Students sit in two lines facing a partner. Teacher calls off emotions one at a time. Students act out the emotion with their face (no sounds). They see the emotion on their partner.

Whip Around

Students sit in a circle with the teacher. Teacher calls off an emotion. The student to the teacher’s left shares something that makes them feel that emotion, then the person to that student’s left shares something that makes them feel that emotion. This continues until everyone has had a turn. Then Teacher calls off another emotion and the whip around starts again. Sharing should not be stories. It should be quick. Example: Sad “my dog dying” “no more cookies” “I fall off my bike.”

Tiger Tears

Students and teacher sit in a circle. Students share a feeling word as they go around the circle. If someone repeats a feeling word, the class (or those who notice) say “Tiger Tears” and the feeling word list starts again. At this point, previously said words (any word mentioned before Tiger Tears was said) can be shared. If a word is repeated again after the new start, the class will shout “Tiger Tears” and the list starts again.

Pink Bubble

Sit in a circle with backs straight, hands resting on knees. Students can sit criss cross or with knees bent, feet under their bottoms. Encourage students to close their eyes, think about a disappointment or a feeling that is bothering them. Instruct students to imagine putting that thought into the pink bubble. With eyes still closed, watch the bubble float away saying a silent wish as it disappears.

Pass the Cup

Students stand in a circle. Talk about how to focus their bodies, so that they can pass a cup full of water around the circle without spilling it. Let students know this is a team game and we have to work together. Students will need to breathe and move slowly. This is great mindful practice. Add a conversation about how confident students feel about their success. What did they notice happening in their bodies as they passed the cup? How did they regulate?

Balloon Arms

Students stand in a circle. Say, "when you fill a balloon with air (inflate it), it gets bigger, and when you let the air out of the balloon (deflate it) , it gets smaller. I'm going to move my hands up like a balloon filling with air and getting larger, then down like a balloon deflating and getting smaller". Demonstrate in any way you'd like, while synchronising your breath. Say, "now you try. synchronise your movements with mine. Pay close attention to the feeling in your arms, upper back and neck as you move.

Counting Breaths

Sit in a circle with a straight back, criss cross works well or sitting with knees bent, bottom resting on heels. Close eyes if you feel safe enough to do so. Breath in naturally and silently say "one" in your mind. Then, as you breathe out, relax your forehead. Breath in and say "two" in your mind. Then, relax your shoulders as you breath out. Again, say "three" silently. Relax your stomach. Again, say "four" silently. Relax your hips. "Now let's try it again. Slowly breath in and out counting as you go. We'll count to 10 silently to ourselves." Processing: How easy was it to focus only on your breathe? Often other thoughts come into our heads when we're practicing. This is normal. Just allow your brain to accept those thoughts and regain focus. Let's try again.

Counting Breaths

Sit in a circle with a straight back, criss cross works well or sitting with knees bent, bottom resting on heels. Close eyes if you feel safe enough to do so. Breath in naturally and silently say "one" in your mind. Then, as you breathe out, relax your forehead. Breath in and say "two" in your mind. Then, relax your shoulders as you breath out. Again, say "three" silently. Relax your stomach. Again, say "four" silently. Relax your hips. "Now let's try it again. Slowly breath in and out counting as you go. We'll count to 10 silently to ourselves." Processing: How easy was it to focus only on your breathe? Often other thoughts come into our heads when we're practicing. This is normal. Just allow your brain to accept those thoughts and regain focus. Let's try again.