Skills Building: Moody Cow Meditates (PK-2)

Instructions

1. Have students sit and explain to them the different parts of the brain.
   
   Teacher: “In our brain we have something called the amygdala. The amygdala manages our emotions and helps protect us when our emotions get too big. When we get stressed, scared, sad or angry, our amygdala shuts down and goes into fight, flight or freeze mode. When our amygdala is closed, we cannot think through our decisions, we just react. In order to open our amygdala, we have to calm our brain through breathing and mindfulness so that we can make good choices. Glitter jars calm our brain as we focus on the falling glitter and open up our amygdala.” 
   
   
2. Introduce the concept of glitter jars and explain how they will be created. 
3. Give each student a mini water bottle or jar. 
4. Instruct the students to remove the wrapper from the bottle so that they are able to see through it.
5. Each student should take a sip from their water bottle so it remains about 80% full. 
6. Next, instruct the students to pour clear glue into their water bottles. As they are pouring, have them count and stop pouring once they reach 25. (Note: The more glue that is added to the glitter jar, the slower the glitter will settle.) 
7. Invite students to come up two at a time to add glitter to their bottle. (Carefully guide students or have the teacher pour the glitter to avoid a big mess). Students may get multiple colors. Another option is to add in a few drops of food coloring.
8. Have students place the caps back on their water bottles, shake up the glitter, and focus on their breathing as they watch it fall. Have students write their names on the cap.
9. Clean up.
10. Have students sit in a circle with their glitter jars in front of them and practice belly breathing as they watch the glitter settle.
11. Give it another shake and repeat.

Teacher: “When the glitter jar sits, the glitter settles peacefully at the bottom. You can see through it. Imagine that the glitter represents our thoughts. When we are angry or upset (shake the bottle), our thoughts are swirling around and we are not able to think clearly. Watch the glitter as it swirls. It always settles. As you concentrate on the glitter, notice your mind settling, too. When the glitter returns to the bottom of the jar, you will feel calmer and are able to think more clearly. Try even in-even out breathing as you watch your glitter settle.”