Project Title: Meditation
Description: Students learn what meditation is and how it can help them calm down and relax
Author: Olly Liu
Grade level or Target Age Range: Pre Schoolers
Historical Art Examples or References: India and East Asia
Vocabulary: mind, body, relax, breathe
Materials: some soft music
Demo/Directions: (Roughly plan amount of time it takes to do each procedure)
1. have everyone sit on a fish and put there hands on their knees without talking
2. Read script:
Breathe in…2….3….4….. hold…2…3….exhale…2….3….4….5…
Breathe in…2….3….4….. hold…2…3….exhale…2….3….4….5…
Breathe in…2….3….4….. hold…2…3….exhale…2….3….4….5…
Breathe in…2….3….4….. hold…2…3….exhale…2….3….4….5…
Continue to breathe at this slow pace.
While you are breathing slowly, I’ll direct your awareness to different stages of the breath. Focus all of your attention on each stage I mention.
First, notice the breath as it enters your nose. Notice each time you breathe in, the way the breath feels on your nostrils.
Feel the breath as it passes through your nasal passages, and down behind your throat.
Where does the air go next? Feel each time you inhale, the breath passing down your windpipe.
Feel the breath going down…..
Feel the breath going down….
Notice where the air enters your lungs. Allow your breathing awareness to deepen the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing.
Feel the air expand your lungs with each in breath.
Feel your lungs expand… and relax…. expand…. and relax….. expand…. and relax…..
Now notice the exhalation phase of breathing. Observe as the air leaves your lungs and begins to travel upward. Focus your attention on that moment of each breath.
Now turn your attention to the breath traveling up and out, through your mouth. Feel the breath in your throat, your mouth, and across your lips.
Notice each breath as a whole now. See how the breaths flow like waves. Fist in…. and then a pause…. and out…. and then a pause…. Notice the pauses, these rests between breaths.
Now as you relax… you can count your breaths as they continue to flow gently. Count 10 breaths.
(pause)
When you are finished counting your breaths, notice how calm and relaxed you are. See how regular your breathing has become… how calm your breathing is.
When you are ready to return to your day, you can reawaken your body and return to the present. I’ll count to five. With each number, you can become more and more alert, reaching full alertness when I reach 5.”
3. Do some stretches afterwards and prepare for singing.
Discussion: How do you feel after meditating?
Instructional Reflection: Which instructional tools or strategies interested or helped these students learn? What additional techniques, tools or materials could be used to better support student learning?