Lesson

What it Means to Be Mindful

Help kids learn what it means to be mindful by guiding them to pause and focus on the present moment.

Objectives

  • Describe "mindful moments" as when you pause and focus on the present moment.

Info to Know

The lessons in this unit help kids understand and practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is to purposefully pay attention to your breathing, feelings, senses, or actions in the present moment. When a child is mindful, they increase their ability to regulate emotions, manage stress, and self-motivate. You can vary the ways your students practice being mindful each day. Some of the many fit resources available for daily mindfulness practice include:

Set The Stage

Turn off the lights. Have students close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them. After 30 seconds, ask students, "What did you hear?"

To use this with your students click here.

Captivate

Listen Closely

Ask students if they noticed any new sounds during the listening activity. Then begin the slideshow, and ask them to reflect on their day, focusing on their breakfast and their travel to school.

Educate

Mindful Moments

Explain that mindful moments are when you pause and focus on the present moment. When you pause and focus on what you are tasting or what you see on the way to school, you are being mindful. When you are mindful, you notice many things, like your breathing, how you feel, and what you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch.

Check for Understanding: What is a mindful moment?

Activate

Look Closely

Practice being mindful with your students by having them choose an object near them and pay attention to how it looks and feels. 

Close the Lesson

With students, choose a time later in your school day to pause for a mindful moment. Repeat the 30 second listening activity or choose a Mindful Moment activity card.

Grade: 3-5

Time: 20 Minutes

What You'll Need

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core Concepts–Promote Mental and Emotional Health
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication
  • Standard 5: Decision-Making
  • Standard 7: Practice Health-Enhancing Behaviors

 

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Responsible Decision-Making

Extend the Lesson

  • Play Greetings from the fitGames series for kids to practice ways to be mindful when greeting one another.
  • Read about Breathing Techniques to help your students relax and become more mindful of their choices.
  • Read about how you can help kids be more mindful of their choices with the cue "Think fit. Be fit!"

View the fit Units and Lessons Scope and Sequence Chart.

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