Teaching Sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

Tune In

Smile on the inside!

Find Out

Reflecting on mindfulness

Take Action

Taking it further

Tune In: Smile on the inside!

Preparation

This is a mindfulness exercise that helps children ease any muscle tension or tightness in their bodies, and which helps them to relax and adopt a more positive outlook.

Step 1

Ask the children to find a comfortable spot in the space you have chosen (inside or outside); they can sit, stand or lie down. It is recommended that this activity is completed outside to allow students to connect with the nature around them. If you decide to complete it indoors, you might want to make the space dark and calm with some essential oils.

Step 2

Lead the children through a guided mindfulness exercise using the audio recording below.

Cool Australia · The Nature of Mindfulness: Smiling On The Inside - Early Learning

Audio recording: The Nature of Mindfulness: Smiling on the Inside (https://on.soundcloud.com/3Vt2XeXUn1DwDV9s7)

You may like to simply play this recording for children, or if you would like to run the guided mindfulness exercise yourself, you could listen to the audio in preparation for this activity, as it provides a model for how you can run the session yourself using the script provided below. You can modify this activity to suit the children and your local environment.

Lie down and take a few deep breaths until you feel calm and still inside.

Imagine yourself lying on a soft, fluffy cloud or floating in a large bubble just above the ground.

Feel the warmth, happiness, coziness, and safety surrounding you.

Now, focus on your toes. How do they feel? Are they warm or cold, still or trying to wriggle? Wiggle your toes, then relax them. How do they feel now? Send them a smile. Are they smiling?

Next, think about your knees. Bend them up to your chest and give them a hug, then let them relax. How do they feel now? Send them a smile. Are they smiling?

Move on to your hips. Give them a little wiggle, then let them relax. How do they feel now? Send them a smile. Are they smiling?

Now, consider your tummy. How does it feel? Tighten your tummy muscles as you breathe in, then let go as you breathe out. How does it feel now? Send it a smile. Is it smiling?

Think about your neck and shoulders. How do they feel? Scrunch your shoulders up towards your ears as you breathe in, then relax them as you breathe out. How do they feel now? Send them a smile. Are they smiling?

Lastly, focus on your face. Is it frowny and tight or happy and relaxed? Scrunch up your face as tight as you can, then relax it. How does it feel now? Send it a smile. Is it smiling?

Now that you have a smile on your face and throughout your body, remember that you can send any part of your body a smile if it starts to feel tight, frustrated, or upset at any time.

Slowly come back to the room, keeping your smile intact for as long as you can.

Find Out: Reflecting on mindfulness

Step 1

Once you have finished the mindfulness activity, bring the children back to sit in a group or circle and pose the following questions

How did you feel when you were lying down and taking deep breaths?
What did you imagine while lying on the fluffy cloud or floating in the bubble?
Did you enjoy sending smiles to different parts of your body? How does it make you feel?

Mindfulness is a way of life that involves paying attention to the present moment, non-judgmentally. It is a state of awareness that provides an opportunity to tune in to your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, the environment and other people. Research has shown mindfulness can help develop resilience, kindness, empathy and compassion. You may like to check out this factsheet to learn about the benefits of mindfulness and the importance of mindfulness for young children to help guide your discussion.

Take Action: Taking it further

Option 1

Mindful Art: Provide materials like paper, crayons, markers, or paints. Encourage children to draw or paint what it feels like to smile on the inside.

Option 2

Smile Walk: Take children on a nature walk and encourage them to send smiles to different elements of nature they encounter, such as trees, flowers, birds, and insects. Each time they send a smile, they can notice how it makes them feel inside.

Option 3

Smile Sharing Circle: Gather the children in a circle and invite each one to share something that makes them smile. It could be a favourite activity, a special memory, or something they appreciate about themselves or others.

Naturally Mindful: Smiling on the Inside

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