Kids Top Five Yoga Exercises

5 Sure-Fire Kids Yoga Exercises

April 21, 2008 By Aruna Kathy Humphrys

 

Five Kids Favorites

Simply put, there are some yoga poses that the kids ask for and some that they don’t. Surprisingly, a lot of the favorites are warm-up poses that get the circulation going after a long day of sitting at a desk.

 

These are what I get the most requests for in yoga class:

 

Washing Machine: This is a great Kundalini Yoga warm-up that kids love because it is active and fun! In easy pose put your hands on your shoulders (fingers in front, thumbs in back). Then twist left and right like a washing machine. You can do breathing – inhaling as you go left and exhaling as you go right, but it’s also fun to say “swish, swish” as you go to each side. (Bonus Pose: Follow this one up with Dryer Pose where you rotate your hands around each other in front of your chest – said to be great for co-ordination and the brain)

Bicycle: In yoga we do bicycle lying on the back and pedaling our legs in the air (see picture). Finish by pedalling up a hill then going down the hill holding your legs stretched wide by your head and shout, “weeeeeeeeee!” (you don’t need to peddle down a hill!)  

Tricky Tree: A favorite in the partner yoga genre. In tree pose, both partners face forward and balance on one foot. Instead of putting your foot on your own leg, stretch it towards your partner and let them hold it up for you. One person holds a foot in front and the other person holds the foot behind their leg. You kind of look like a capital “H” when you do it. It is very tricky for pre-schoolers so you may need to help them balance in this one.  

Human Teacher Puppet: Want to get everyone’s attention in a class? Let one child sit on your lap and pretend they are teaching the class. Gently hold their wrists and move their arms around for them in a very animated way as you describe the next pose. Use different voices and accents, try hand gestures like using their hand to scratch their head or blow kisses. This is so popular the kids may start to jump on your lap the moment you sit down – so develop some kind of system to keep track of which kids have had a turn.

The Worry Tree: This is a beautiful image we use for relaxing. We have an imagination session for relaxation and go to different places in our imagination. At the beginning of the session we put all our worries on a big tree we call The Worry Tree. You put all the worries you can think of on there and when you are done then you start your imagination session. This is another one kids will ask for at the beginning of the class.

 

Aruna Humphrys

www.YoungYogaMasters.com

Montessori Classroom Photographs: Math Shelves

Only days away from our first day of school. Enjoy the Math area of our Montessori environment!



Creating Parent Community in Your Montessori Classroom





Science Fair

"Goodness must come out of reciprocal helpfulness, from the unity derived from spiritual cohesion."

 - Maria Montessori

In my very first post of my blog I shared my goals for the new school year. One goal was not included. It was to increase parent involvement in our Montessori classroom and community. This will allow all teachers, children and parents to create a sense of well being and to merge the relationships together. We have events throughout the year such as Harvest Day, Festival of Lights, National Montessori Week and Earth Day that all the families have an opportunity to participate in. This year I am hoping to have parents share themselves with the primary classroom. I recently emailed our families a "Happy New Year" email. This is a portion of What's New...

Parent Visit…At least once a month I would like to have a parent share their professions, skills, hobbies, talents, customs, or native languages.  Attached is our culture theme for the year. Think about it and I hope to have this commitment at Parent Orientation. There will be a sign up sheet at Parent Orientation.



Science Fair



Shortly after sending out the email, I am excited to already have two parents commit on Maria Montessori's birthday (Aug. 31) and our South America study. I sent my parents a cultural theme plan for the year to help spark some interest and ideas.

Another idea is to have parents come and read in your classroom. They may read stories or they can listen to your children read their "readers".

What are your ideas at your Montessori school? How are your parents involved?

The Presence of Mindfulness in Montessori: Sensorial

"The development of the senses indeed precedes that of superior intellectual activity and the child between three and seven years is in the period of formation. We can, then, help the development of the senses while they are in this period."  Maria Montessori - The Montessori Method, Chapter14

I may be stating the obvious when mindfulness is present in the Sensorial area in a Montessori environment. In the book Teaching Meditation to Children, by Fontana and Slack includes an exercise called Kim's Game.  This is a game that is suitable for young  children and very fun to play during your Parent Meetings. What you will need is various objects such as a pencil, spoon, cup, apple, flower, etc. placed on a tray. Place the objects on a tray and cover with a piece of fabric or towel. With a small group of children show them the materials for a limited time. The more objects on the tray, the more time. Cover the tray. The children will then tell or write down as many materials they can remember. After a few attemps, they will improve rapidly. 

The sensorial materials were created to help children in the process of creating and organizing their intelligence. Montessori scientifically designed materials that isolate a quality found in the world such as color, size and shape. The child, through repeated manipulation of these objects, comes to form clear ideas, abstractions and provokes "auto-education". What could not be explained by words, the child learns by experience working with these self correcting sensorial materials. The Sensorial materials are esthetically pleasing and attracts a child with ease. They aid a child in a better understanding of his environment and given the knowledge not by "words" but by his experiences. It includes using the child's hands, senses, and spontaneous activity.

Montessori writes that Sensorial materials are more like "games" where it gathers children to take turns in guessing. "Sometimes the children spontaneously make use of the blindfold, taking turns, and interspersing the work with peals of joyful laughter." Montessori, The Montessori Method p. 187

Isolation of the Senses with Sensorial Materials

Visual: Montessori broke the visual sense down into separate sections.

·       Dimension (size of the object): Montessori Materials are the Pink Tower, Brown Stair, Red Rods, Knobbed Cylinders, and Knobless Cylinders.

·       Color/chromatic (awareness of color): Montessori Materials are the Color Box 1, Color Box 2 and Color Box 3.

·       Form (awareness of shapes): Montessori Materials are the Geometric Solids, Geometry Cabinet, Binomial Cube, Trinomial Cube, and Constructive Triangles.

Auditory: Sound Cylinders and Bells.

Tactile: Montessori broke tactile in four areas:

• Surface touch: Touch boards, Touch tablets

             and Fabrics.

• Stereognostic (whole form, volume): Geometric Solids, Sorting Trays, Mystery Bag.
• Thermic (temperatures): Thermic Tablets and Thermic Bottles.
• Baric (differences in weights): Baric Tablets

Olfactory (smell): Smelling Bottles

Gustatory (taste): Tasting Bottles

Child of the Week: Montessori Lesson Plan

Child of the Week

Materials:  

Poster board

Photographs

Pictures or drawings

Art Supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, etc.)

Preparation:

This is a lesson that will be done at home with their families the week before their assigned date.  The teacher will give the parents instructions and questions two weeks before their assigned date.  On Monday, the child will bring in their poster.

Exercise:

1.       The child will tell the class about themselves and read or the teacher will assist them.

2.       The child will share photographs and pictures.

3.       The child may also share a favorite book or share their     favorite thing.

Points of Interest:

1.       Spending time with parents

2.       Art

3.       Looking at photographs

Direct Aims:

1.       Order

2.       Sequence

3.       Following directions

4.       Thinking

5.       Organization

Indirect Aims:

1.       Awareness of Self

2.       Nurturing the Spirit

3.       Confidence

4.       Able to share with peers

Control of Error:

Parents and Teacher

Ages:

3-6

Variations:

The children can make a booklet form and share a story about themselves. They can bring in something to share (excluding toys), something they made (food or art) or their pet.

Parent Instructions:  Sample

Hello Mr. and Mrs. Smith,

Next week Kate is going to be the “Child of the Week”. We would like for you to help her answer questions about herself, include a photograph and create a poster board display. She will be sharing this with her class on Monday. Be creative and take your time.

Have Fun,

Mrs. Wilson

Free Printable Giveaway!!!!

Follow Mindful Montessori and you will receive the “Child of the Week” questionnaire...Montessori style. If you already follow, comment below and I will be happy to send it to you.

Freeze Up! Warm Up!

This is a great lesson from http://alluemkids.blogspot.com. This is a great blog with great lessons to give your children. Some of the lessons also include a follow-up activity. Below is an example...Others include The Balloon Ride and What's That Feeling.

Freeze Up! Warm Up!

Each day is made up of different situations - good and bad. And just like yoga poses, some situations may be difficult causing us to freeze up or want to get out, while other situations (or poses) makes us feel good and relaxed. Being in new places or meeting new people may make us feel so shy we don't know what to do or say. Being in the dark or in deep water may make us feel so scared that we panic. All of that is okay. It's important to notice what makes us "Freeze Up", so we can learn how to handle those situations and learn how to "Warm up!"

On a hot day on the patio by the river, the Alluem Kids stuck their hands in a bowl of ice. Why? To cool them off, sure, but to also teach them a lesson about letting go of stress and maybe even how to deal with the people, places, and things that cause stress. They were encouraged to hold the ice for at least 30 seconds, but knew that if it became too much, they should listen to their bodies and put it down. After holding the ice cubes, it was interesting to see the way each child dealt with the cold sting. Some said, eh, no problem and dealt with it. Some screeched and wanted out after 15 seconds (which of course, I reminded them they could put the ice down at anytime!). Some felt the cold for the 30 seconds and then threw the cube back in the bowl, immediately caring for the cold hand - holding it with the warm hand or wrapping it in a towel. After putting as many feeling words as possible to how our hands felt, we realized that everyone deals with stressors differently.

At times when we "Freeze Up" (like our ice cold hands), we might forget that we can in fact make ourselves "Warm Up" and be the ones to care for our bodies and minds. Some may instinctually react and self soothe, but for some we may need a gentle reminder. Making a list (writing or drawing) of things that freeze us up (things that make us feel bad or scared) right next to the things that warm us up (things that make us feel happy or loved) serves as a great visual to help us through those "Freeze Up" moments. And seeing or thinking of those things that help us "Warm Up" is always a good way to keep us happy and healthy!

Easy Mindfulness Exercises

Liberating

"To see the child as he is, is made difficult for us as adults on account of our own defects. Between us and the baptized child lies the gulf created by our own sins. Because of this defective vision the adult is generally to much occupied in looking for defective tendencies also in the child and seeking to correct them. We must first remove the beam from our own eyes, and then we shall see more clearly how to remove the mote in the child's. In the "removing of the beam from her own eyes" consists the spiritual training of the teacher." - Maria Montessori, Her Life and Work. (p.300-301)

The answers have always been in front of me. Some were simple, "What are you grateful for?" or "Who do you love?" and some were a little difficult "What is your biggest regret?" or "What was the toughest time in your life?"  for me to answer and just to say it out loud.  This activity was self-searching and brought an awareness to myself. But amazingly it was very liberating. The questions can be found in a previous post, A Montessori Teacher's Mask?.

A Montessori Teacher's Mask?

Do you put on a front to accept others? Do you pretend everything is perfect? Do you say things you don't mean? Do you accept yourself just the way that you are? Do you buy things you can't afford?

I just had one of those experiences the other day. I went out with my child to the local farmers market and after we decided to go to our favorite antique store. Knowingly we are going on vacation in a month, we made a family agreement not to make purchases of things we don't need. How am I setting an example to my child? Many thoughts were going through my mind. Apparently the mask went on as I went to the register to pay for the items. I was hoping the clerk did not see my face, hopefully hiding from my mask. As we went home that day, I did have to explain why that was not the best thing for mom to do. We all make mistakes sometimes...even moms and Montessori teachers.

In Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms, by Aline Wolf, she talks about how "how we are all human beings, wounded in some way." We hide our "shadow side" from others and most of us wear an invisible mask. She states, "The mask is not our true self but is the way we want others to see us. Teacher's often wear the mask of perfection, never wanting to admit weakness to their students, when actually talking about their own flaws would make them accessible." (p.35)
"Mistakes bring us closer and make us better friends." - Maria Montessori (The Absorbent Mind, p.249)

Below are some questions you may want to ask yourself. I will be answering and sharing with you...some are a little tough. Please feel free to comment or add more additional information to Mindful Montessori. Follow me and cheer me on!

75 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Why not me?
2. Am I nice?
3. Am I doing what I really want to do?
4. What am I grateful for?
5. What’s missing in my life?
6. Am I honest?
7. Do I listen to others?
8. Do I work hard?
9. Do I help others?
10. What do I need to change about myself?
11. Have I hurt others?
12. Do I complain?
13. What’s next for me?
14. Do I have fun?
15. Have I seized opportunities?
16. Do I care about others?
17. Do I spend enough time with my family?
18. Am I open-minded?
19. Have I seen enough of the world?
20. Do I judge others?
21. Do I take risks?
22. What is my purpose?
23. What is my biggest fear?
24. How can I conquer that fear?
25. Do I thank people enough?
26. Am I successful?
27. What am I ashamed of?
28. Do I annoy others?
29. What are my dreams?
30. Am I positive?
31. Am I negative?
32. Is there an afterlife?
33. Does everything happen for a reason?
34. What can I do to change the world?
35. What is the most foolish thing I’ve ever done?
36. Am I cheap?
37. Am I greedy?
38. Who do I love?
39. Who do I want to meet?
40. Where do I want to go?
41. What am I most proud of?
42. Do I care what others think about me?
43. What are my talents?
44. Do I utilize those talents?
45. What makes me happy?
46. What makes me sad?
47. What makes me angry?
48. Am I satisfied with my appearance?
49. Am I healthy?
50. What was the toughest time in my life?
51. What was the easiest time in my life?
52. Am I selfish?
53. What was the craziest thing I did?
54. What is the craziest thing I want to do?
55. Do I procrastinate?
56. What is my greatest regret?
57. What has had the greatest impact on my life?
58. Who has had the greatest impact on my life?
59. Do I stand up for myself?
60. Have I settled for mediocrity?
61. Do I hold grudges?
62. Do I read enough?
63. Do I listen to my heart?
64. Do I donate enough to the less fortunate?
65. Do I pray only when I want something?
66. Do I constantly dwell on the past?
67. Do I let other people’s negativity affect me?
68. Do I forgive myself?
69. When I help someone do I think “What’s in it for me”?
70. Am I aware that someone always has it worse than me?
71. Do I smile more than I frown?
72. Do I surround myself with good people?
73. Do I take time out for myself?
74. Do I ask enough questions?
75. What other questions do I have?

These questions are from: http://www.lyved.com

A Young Chic's Montessori Journey of Becoming a Spiritual Aware Adult

I am in the beginning of Nurturing the Spirit as a Montessori teacher. With seven years under my belt I may still be considerd a young chic. I came upon Montessori as many Montessori teacher's do. I was a parent looking for a place for my child to be while I was at work.


With a suggestion from a friend, I observed the toddler Montessori classroom where my 2 year old would spend her days. It was in the most peaceful, caring and loving environment. As I continued with the tour, it amazed me. Teaching was always deep in my heart, but I was always yearned for something more...something that I believed would make some kind of difference in the world. As I was touring the Primary and Elementary environments, this is the place I knew my child and I had to be.


From that moment it all seemed to fall into place. The following year I was an assistant in the elementary classroom and learned many of the important aspects of the Montessori Philosophy such as Caring for the Environment, Order and Independence. That summer I began my training to become a Primary teacher. I then continued my independent study and began in my very own Primary class. Seven years later, I continue to be forever thankful for the Montessorians that have been around me to help guide and direct me on this journey.


At the end of each year, I take the time to reflect on the past year. What worked? What didn't? Do I need to change the environment? What will my goals be for the following year? What are the spiritual needs of the children? How will I implement these in the classroom? How will I prepare myself?


I have always wanted to expand my spirituality. Why not with the Montessori philosophy and children I work with. How do I begin? I began reading, Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms, by Aline Wolf. This is an amazing guide for all Montessorians who want to be true to Montessori's philosophy, "Help me to help myself". This is a widely used Montessori quote. It is not only Practical Life skills, but more about guiding the spirit of the child. "We must help the child to act for himself, think for himself, this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit. It is the teacher's joy to welcome the manifestation of the spirit." - Maria Montessori, Education For A New World.


Below are some more links that may help you continue on your journey of nurturing the spirit within yourself and the children you guide.


Montessori Conferences:
www.montessori.org
www.amshq.org
www.montessori-ami.org


Mindful Blogs:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/mindfulnessmatters/

Please feel free to comment or add more additional information to Mindful Montessori. Follow me and cheer me on!

Mon"tea"sori Herbal Facial, Nurturing Your Spirit and Yourself

Stop sewing aprons, stop making 3 part cards and YES please put down The Absorbent Mind! Did I get your attention? Now I would like you to walk out to your garden and pick some Thyme, Peppermint and Lavender. If you do not have a garden I am sure you can find these herbs locally or in your neighbor's garden. (a little sarcasm) Below is a familiar "lesson" on how to give yourself a Monteassori Herbal Facial. It may fit nicely in your Montessori Philosopy, Botany or Practical Life album.

Monteasori Herbal Facial



Material:  A large pot with lid, water, dried or fresh herbs or essential oils and 2 large towels.

Preparation: Clean your face thoroughly and tie your hair back if needed.

Exercise: 

1. Boil a kettle or pot full of water then add the herbs and fruity ingredients (about 1/3 cup fresh or dried herbs and fruit slices per 4 cups of water). Boil for a minute or two then remove from heat. Cover and let steep for about 5 minutes.

2. Place pot on counter or table on top of a towel and remove lid. Cover your head with a another large clean towel and position your face over the steaming water (with the towel acting as a tent over the bowl to capture the steam).

3. Keep your eyes closed and your face at least 10 to 12 inches from the boiling water during the facial. Enjoy the fragrant steam and relax, but don’t overdo it–keep the facial time between 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Once the facial is over, splash face with slightly cool water and pat dry.

Points of Interest:

1. Nurturing your Spirit
2. Taking time for yourself
3. Need I say more?

Control of Error: Yourself

Direct Aims:

1. Order
2. Sequencing
3. Organization
4.  Thinking

 Indirect Aims:

1. Relaxing
2. Furthering use of herbs
3. Observing which combinations you like.

Ages: 20 and something years.

Variations:

1. Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Lemon or Orange Slices
2. Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint
3. Green Tea, Rose Petals, Chamomile
4. Rosemary, Lemon, Honey
5. Lemon Slices, Peppermint
6. Lemon balm, Lavender
7. Chamomile, Fennel Seeds, Rose Petals
8. Thyme, Peppermint, Lavender
9. Parsley, Lavender, Lemon balm
10. Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme
11. Cinnamon, Orange Slices
12. Peppermint, Cloves, Rosemary

A Montessori Teacher's Thoughts

What is Mindfulness to me?

Mindfulness is having focused attention to internal and external experiences in the present moment of time, without judgment.

Mindfulness has its origins in the Buddhist tradition. However, Mindfulness practices have been used in treatments for stress, chronic pain, anxiety and others. Researchers suggest this type of training can benefit in everyday life.

Why am I practicing Yoga and Meditating?

Mind and Body of course!

I honestly love Yoga! I am not a fan of “exercise”.  I cannot see myself running miles every day even though I am quit envious of those that can.  It is something that I feel is a way for me to be completely present at what I am doing. Meditation is something that my sister has recommended to me. This is something that is getting better and better with time.  I was so excited when I meditated for 12 minutes today, allowing thoughts and body pain come and go …and then centering myself.

What have I noticed in this short period of time?  

v  Peaceful mind

v  Listening attentively to others.

v  Enjoying my time, not always thinking what’s next?

v  My mind is not on the go.