Guided Wonder: Beautiful Monster (Under The Bed)

Written for children 3 years and up to practice alone, in groups, or with their caregivers, Guided Wonders are invitations to get still and ground in everyday wonder. "Beautiful Monster" is for nights a monster under the bed is making sleep difficult. A series of lighthearted questions opens up conversation about the monster and lead into a song that imagines the monster as beautiful.

Transcript

I wonder,

Are you awake right now because there's a monster under your bed,

Or in your closet,

Or squished behind your door?

You're not alone.

Thousands of kids might be awake right now for the very same reason.

So let's get still and remember that we are not alone and we are safe.

Go ahead and find a comfy,

Cozy place to sit or lie down,

And find a loved one or a stuffed animal friend to snuggle with.

Then take a deep breath in and say,

I'm a safe snuggle bug with a snuggle bug bud.

Go ahead and give your snuggle bug bud a hug.

Now the more you know about a monster and the more people who know it,

The less scary the monster is.

So let's find out more about this monster.

What color eyes does the monster have?

How long are its eyelashes?

Does it have hair?

And if so,

Is it straight or curly?

Does it have a tail?

And if so,

How long?

When the monster smiles,

Do its ears move?

Does it make any noises?

If so,

Please demonstrate.

And would you say the monster smells more like a flower or an old shoe?

Now I wonder if this monster has a family.

I wonder if this monster has a family.

I also wonder what it does for fun.

Can you imagine the monster dancing?

How about singing a song?

And although it might sound impossible,

I wonder if you can imagine that this monster under your bed is beautiful.

Just something to consider like this.

Eyes that light up the dark.

Nails polished and sharp.

A soft hairy belly and toes that are smelly.

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.

My monster might make a good friend if it didn't hide under my bed.

Our families might gather.

We'd grow up together.

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.

Sing it with me.

Eyes that light up the dark.

Nails polished and sharp.

A soft hairy belly and toes that are smelly.

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.

My monster might make a good friend if it didn't hide under my bed.

Our families might gather.

We'd grow up together.

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.

What do you find beautiful about the monster?

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.

My beautiful,

Beautiful monster.