Sounds And Silence (Children)

Mindfulness exercises for children often use the senses. Focusing on the senses helps us practice "being here now" and gives a break away from our minds. Children can experience helping themselves feel better and this relaxing, fun exercise can also be used as a way to help cope with stressful thoughts or feelings. Learning to deeply listen, to surroundings and to our innerbeing can be of valuable support. There's no right or wrong way to do this, it's important to remain curious and kind.

Transcript

Hello and welcome.

We are going to play a game listening to the sound.

You'll try to listen to the sound all the way until it disappears.

Going,

Going,

Gone.

When you hear it's gone,

You let me know by raising your hand.

Now come to a seated or laying down position,

Get comfortable.

Letting your eyes gently close.

Be nice and cozy.

When I make the sound,

Try to listen with more than just your ears.

Listen with your body and your mind and your heart.

When we really listen to something,

We're listening with much,

Much more than our ears.

I'm going to make the sound a few times now.

Listen while the sound is getting quieter and quieter.

And when you don't hear it anymore,

Quietly put your hand up.

Then put your hand back down for the next time.

Okay,

Here we go.

Be nice and cozy.

Keep listening with your ears and with as much of you as you can.

It's like the sound fills you up.

If you forget and start thinking about something else,

That's okay,

Just start listening again.

Notice how the sound gets softer and softer until it totally disappears.

It's kind of amazing you can still hear it when it is so soft,

Isn't it?

When the sound isn't there anymore,

Notice the quiet.

What does the quiet feel like?

Does it feel restful or calm or lively and sparkly?

Listening to the quiet can make us feel quiet inside too.

How are your mind and body and heart feeling after all this listening?

You can listen to anything like this,

Even other people.

You can give a friend or someone in your family 100% of your listening and attention.

Maybe you already know someone who listens to you like that.

It feels good,

Doesn't it?

Okay,

We're going to finish now.

Great job.

You can listen with your whole body to sounds around you anytime you like,

To calm down and to enjoy the quiet that's in you.

Thanks for doing this with me today.