A moving meditation is the perfect meditation choice for those days when the energy level is a bit high in the classroom. The movement gives a wiggly body something to do and a distracted mind something to focus on. And, depending on the purpose of the meditation, the script can help your kiddos develop character, master skills, or even learn to regulate emotions.
KINDNESS MEDITATION FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
The script I am sharing here is for growing kindness and it will fit perfectly into your Valentine's or friendship theme. (Check this out for more mindful Valentine's Day fun.) And, you can easily add it to a tree theme, seed theme, or flower theme in the springtime. Just swap out the words to fit the theme you're using.
This kindness meditation will help your children “grow” kindness from within. But, you can really use it to grow any character quality your class needs to work on. So, you can use it to grow courage or patience or even use it to grow an emotion like love or joy.
Start a group discussion, and brainstorm some ideas together. Help your kids figure out what they have been struggling with lately. Then, just swap the words in the script to fit your group’s needs. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Practicing kindness
- Taking turns
- Sitting still
- Honoring personal space
- Listening
- Sharing
If you have a password, you can head over to the MINDFULNESS LIBRARY when you're done here to grab your Kindness Meditation script and discussion questions. And, if you don't have a password, no worries just click the button below, and I will send you one.
KINDNESS MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:
- The Kindness Moving Meditation Script
- A space large enough to move around in
- A watering can is optional, but the kids love it!!
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:
- Have your children begin on their knees with their bottoms resting on their feet. Remind them that this is a time to be silent and notice things, and that there will be time to share their experience after the meditation.
- Next, read the script using a slow, calm voice and pause where it’s indicated. Change out the words so it is customized for your group’s needs and your current theme.
- Allow some time for sharing after the meditation. When children hear the experiences of others, it allows them to be open to fully noticing and sharing their own experiences.
- Use the questions that follow the script if you need some inspiration for discussion and sharing.
- A drawing or other creative activity like this one also helps to process the experience.
SUCCESS TIPS
Above all, remember, they are kids. They will talk, they will move around, and some may not want to do the meditation at all. It's ok. You might not think they are getting anything out of it, but trust me, you will be amazed with the things they have to share after.
- You don't have to read the whole script or ask all of the questions in it. Energy levels in your classroom change often, you know that, so go with the flow. Sometimes you'll find your kids completely engaged all the way to the end and other times, well, not so much. If you need to finish it up before you reach the end, then skip to the bottom of the script and finish it up. It's OK.
- As a general rule, your guided story should be as many minutes long as your children are years old. So, that means four minutes for a group of four year olds. But again, follow their lead. Their engagement level will probably be different every time you practice meditation. Your kids will sit longer and become more engaged as you use meditation more and more.
- Allow time after any meditation for discussion. I have included discussion questions in the Kindness Meditation packet for inspiration. (You can download it free from the Mindfulness Library.) Sharing also helps children remember details they may have forgotten and find meaning in symbols they may have seen in the meditation. It will help them integrate the messages from meditation into their life.
- Last, a creative activity or project, even a simple drawing following a meditation experience can be an effective way for your kids to express their experience and to integrate their new discoveries into their daily lives. This tree activity would be a perfect follow up for the kindness meditation. Instead of painting apples on the tree, your kids can paint their "kindness flowers" or "kindness fruit" the way they noticed them in the meditation.
Looking for the Growing Kindness Meditation Script and discussion questions? Head to the Mindfulness Library if you have your password and if not, click the button below for free access to the many mindfulness activities, scripts, workbooks, and more in the Mindfulness Library.
Let me know how your kids liked the addition of movement to the meditation. Comment below.
- Dawn
