The younger group worked with this visual and the 5 Star Count breathing activity before moving onto their notebooks. We started with our mindful bodies & a review of mindful breathing lesson done earlier. Together, we did several breathing sessions paying attention to what we noticed before sharing. I asked them to place their hand on their belly, then chest. Next, they put their hand in front of their mouths. They eagerly shared what they noticed - Movement of shoulders, chest, belly, & heart as they noticed they felt their heart beat. They shared that they noticed warmth on their hands but also the cool air being inhaled. Many noticed moisture on they hands and were curious about this. So those of us who had glasses exhaled onto them and shared what happened. ( So many teachable moments. ) They noticed the breath on their lips and in their nose. Many said they 'felt' it in their throats and sinus which they showed me using their hands. One made a diagram. ( That was adorable. I see it is time for an App on the Human Body in our very near future ;-)
We again talked about an anchor and how it helps a ship and can help us when our mind wanders off the topic of our attention. Many connected our Social Thinking Unthinkable 'Braineater' ( Master of Distraction) to the idea that the anchor could be used as a strategy when they were distracted in class. We then practice the 5 Star Count breathing and shared what they noticed. They noticed their bodies felt - 'calm', 'peaceful', 'rested' etc. One boy shared his thoughts were gone.
The Notebook was completed and we headed off to the small quiet room with our stars to use the Emwaves for the first time . The boys were able to hold it correctly and sit for 3 minutes. We ended this first day with a sharing about how they felt, what they noticed and questions.
We again talked about an anchor and how it helps a ship and can help us when our mind wanders off the topic of our attention. Many connected our Social Thinking Unthinkable 'Braineater' ( Master of Distraction) to the idea that the anchor could be used as a strategy when they were distracted in class. We then practice the 5 Star Count breathing and shared what they noticed. They noticed their bodies felt - 'calm', 'peaceful', 'rested' etc. One boy shared his thoughts were gone.
The Notebook was completed and we headed off to the small quiet room with our stars to use the Emwaves for the first time . The boys were able to hold it correctly and sit for 3 minutes. We ended this first day with a sharing about how they felt, what they noticed and questions.