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Incorporating mindfulness activities into a busy preschool day can seem almost impossible, especially during the super busy holidays. But, not any more. I'm sharing three kid-friendly, fun and engaging mindfulness activities that will fit perfectly into any of your holiday or December themes. Easy for you and fun for the kids. It's a win-win.

HO-HO-HO DEEP BREATHING

The benefits of deep breathing are so great you might want to consider allowing time for deep breathing every day. Incorporate some into circle time or your morning meeting to start the day right. And, add some deep breathing before quiet activities and naptime to invite peace and calm.

RELATED: FIVE FUN breathing exercises FOR KIDS

You'll want to use this fun HO-HO-HO deep breathing activity at holiday time. Inspired by Santa's famous laugh, your kids are going to love it!

HOW TO DO HO-HO-HO DEEP BREATHING

1. Sit up tall. Make sure your back is straight and long.
2. Place your hands on your belly and take a long, deep breath in through your nose.
3. Let your hands feel your belly rise and fill with air.
4. As you breathe out through your mouth, let out a hearty HO-HO-HO and release the rest of the breath while you jiggle your Santa belly with your hands.

See, so much fun for the holiday season. Your kids are going to love it!

RELATED: THREE SIMPLE STEPS FOR PEACEFUL KIDS

CHRISTMAS YOGA

I like to incorporate some yoga as a mindful movement break during the day or as a way to release lots of extra energy for a calm activity or nap. And, we all know too well, the extra energy and chaos that swirls through the classroom at holiday time. So, use these Christmas-inspired yoga poses to help calm all the holiday hype.

You can find instructions for each pose listed below at Kids Yoga Stories.

Christmas-inspired Yoga Poses

• Christmas Tree- Tree Pose
• Reindeer- Cat Pose
• Flying Reindeer- Extended Cat Pose
• Bow- Bow Pose or Happy Baby Pose
• Star- start in Mountain pose, lift arms out to sides half way like a five pointed star and shine your brightest
• Snowflake- Move slowly between Mountain Pose and Extended Mountain Pose for falling snowflakes
• Santa- HO-HO-HO Breathing (from above)
• Sleigh- Staff Pose
• Candle- Legs Up The Wall or straight up if you don't have a wall, wiggle your toes like the flickering flame
• Ornament- Child's Pose
• Candy Cane- Forward Fold
• Gingerbread House- Downward Facing Dog
• Poinsettia- Flower Pose

WAYS TO USE THE POSES:

• Add the poses to pocket dice, a spinner, or cards and let each child have a turn. That child then leads the group into the pose.
• Create your own holiday yoga story. You can start the story, for example: "It was Christmas morning. I woke up early and ran down stairs to look under the Christmas tree" (do tree pose). Then each child, in turn, adds a pose and continues the story incorporating the pose.
• Try thinking up your own holiday-inspired yoga poses for Hanukkah or New Years. They can be real poses or you can create your own.

RELATED: MINDFUL CHRISTMAS MOMENTS

CHRISTMAS MANDALAS

A mandala is a circle that represents wholeness. It's usually filled with geometric designs that represent the different parts of the whole. Mandalas can be used as a tool to journey deep within ourselves to tap into some feelings and patterns we might not be aware of. They are creative and artistic representations of our inner world.

I created three mandalas for you to use this holiday season and I put them in The Mindfulness Library for you. Print them out and let your kids fill them in with crayons, markers, or any craft items you have on hand. Let the creativity flow!

RELATED: MINDFULNESS AT CHRISTMAS