I was inspired by Fall and all of the potted mums to create some mindfulness activities for your "Chrysanthemum" theme. I'm sure you're probably already familiar with this classic by Kevin Henkes, so if you do a "Chrysanthemum" theme, then these mindfulness activities will fit in perfectly.

 

And, if you aren't familiar with the book, then I would suggest getting a copy and adding it to your preschool library. Chrysanthemum is a young mouse who believes her name is absolutely perfect, that is until she went off to school for the first day. The girls at school teased Chrysanthemum about her really long, flowery name until Chrysanthemum believed her name was absolutely dreadful.

 

"Chrysanthemum" is a great way to teach your preschoolers about kindness and using kind words. The activities that follow celebrate the uniqueness of each of us and our name, encourage kindness and the use of kind words.

 

NOTE: While trying to teach our kids to be kind, it's also important to teach kids that what others say can only affect us or hurt us if we let it. Just because a couple of girls didn't like Chrysanthemum's name doesn't mean that her name wasn't still absolutely perfect for her. But, that is another lesson-

 

RELATED: "CHRYSANTHEMUM" LESSON PLAN

 

Mindfulness Activity 1- Acrostic Poem

An acrostic poem is a poem where certain letters in each line of the poem spell a word. Usually it is the first letter in each line, but it doesn't have to be.

 

You can use the framework or template of the acrostic poem to create inspiring poems that celebrate the uniqueness of each child in your classroom and their "absolutely perfect" names.

 

Depending on your age group, your kids may not be able to write these adjectives or think of adjectives that begin with certain letters. I have listed some variations for this activity so you can still enjoy it with your kids.

 

After the poems are written, be sure to take time to celebrate each child's name and the unique qualities that makes each child "absolutely perfect". Perhaps each child can share the reason their name was chosen for them.

 

Here is my example-

Daring

Adorable

Wise

Nurturing

 

 

VARIATIONS

1. Have each child create their own acrostic using their name
2. Have the class create an acrostic using the name, Chrysanthemum
3. Create a group acrostic for your class name
4. Print adjectives on cardstock in a large font and cut them into strips. Make sure there are enough to match all the letters of all the names of the children in your class. You can have duplicates because the letters will repeat among the names. Have your kids write their name down the left side of a piece of paper and then match the adjective strips that begin with the same letter on each line.
5. Do #4 as a group activity where the class chooses the adjectives to describe their friends.

 

MIndfulness activity 2- KINDNESS ROCKS PROJECT

Have you heard about the Kindness Rocks Project? Megan Murphy is the founder of this national movement where she encourages people to create inspiring messages on rocks and leave the rocks for others to find.

 

"One message at just the right time can change your entire day... outlook... LIFE."

 

The Kindness Rocks Project website has detailed instructions from gathering the perfect rocks and even making your own to finding inspiring messages to painting and clear coating in a safe way for the environment. You'll even find information about starting your own social media group, planning a rock painting event, and creating a community garden.

 

Have a look at this page, too. It's filled with even more kindness activities and lesson plans.

 

After you make your own kindness rocks, add some to your outdoor meditation space or your indoor quiet corner. Or use your outdoor meditation space to create your kindness rocks.

 

RELATED: HOW TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR MEDITATION SPACE FOR YOUR KIDS

 

 

mindfulness activity 3- TOOTHPASTE ACTIVITY

The toothpaste activity is a great activity for demonstrating that once mean words are said, they can't ever be taken back completely.

 

Basically, when words come out of our mouth, it's like toothpaste coming out of a tube. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's nearly impossible to get it back inside. And, like the toothpaste, once mean words come out of our mouth, it's nearly impossible to take them back, too. The damage is done.

 

Ways to use this activity-

1. Give each child a small tube of toothpaste and a paper plate. As you read the book, "Chrysanthemum", have the kids squeeze out some toothpaste onto the plate each time mean words come out of a character's mouth. Then at the end of the book, when the teasing has stopped, have your kids try to put the toothpaste back in the tube. When they realize they can't, have a discussion about using mean words and how they can't be taken back.
2. Have each child share about a time they said mean words to someone. As they share, they can squeeze some toothpaste onto a paper plate. After everyone has shared their story, ask your kids what they did after the mean words were said. Did they apologize, did they try to make up for it by doing something kind, did they just forget about it? Go back to the toothpaste on the plate and explain that their words are like the toothpaste. Once words are said, it's hard to take them back. That's good for kind words but not so good for mean words. What can they do next time instead?

 

"CHRYSANTHEMUM" THEME LESSON PLAN

If you're looking for more activities to incorporate with your "Chrysanthemum" theme, then you'll want to grab the Chrysanthemum Mindfulness Lesson Plan. The lesson plan includes mindfulness activities that encourage kindness and using kind words AND what to do when mean words start stirring around inside their mouth.

 

Includes:

• Circle time discussion
• Deep breathing technique
• Mindful movement activity
• Guided story and discussion questions
• Mindfulness activity
• Creative activity
• Plus more BONUS activities throughout

 

 

Do you plan a "Chrysanthemum" theme for Fall? Let me know below which themes you use for the Fall.

~ Dawn