We had a great time last week working on our mindful breathing. A couple of the favorite “tools” that we used were the Hoberman Sphere (you can check them out at www.hoberman.com) and the Bubble Bear (a fun way to blow bubbles---you can find them at Creative Kidstuff for $6). Both encourage slow and mindful breathing, a great way to simultaneously slow down the body and brain, allowing for increased focus for the task at hand. And they’re fun, too!
This week we will take what we learned about using mindful breathing to help us transition to more in depth mindful listening. Last week we talked about a chemical our brain releases called acetylcholine, which calms our amygdala. This week we will talk about another chemical that our brain releases called dopamine. Dopamine is released in the pre frontal cortex when having fun or doing activities that make us feel happy. When dopamine is released, it helps us focus, remember, and solve problems better. This is why I like to have so much fun in group!
To practice mindful listening we will have a “mystery sound” challenge, as well as an old fashioned game of “telephone.” Both activities require students to focus their brains like lasers to discover what they’re hearing. Try activities like these at home with your families for a change of pace and an opportunity to mindfully listen.
Next week we will begin working on mindfully seeing. Let me know if you have any questions!
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