Mindfulness for Youth with Dr Dan Siegel
Author of Mindsight and The Whole Brain Child, Dr Dan Siegel is an expert in how the mind, brain and relationships interconnect and influence our lives. He joins us to address the importance of mindful awareness in youth to foster positive mental, physical and relational health and well-being. With the science to prove it works, Dr Siegel shows us how to focus our attention on the internal workings of the mind helping us to acknowldege thoughts & feelings, let go of that which does not serve, and transform our lives leading to greater health and happiness. Learn more about this essential component to emotional and social intelligence and the easy to implement Wheel of Awareness during this 30 minute interview. Dr. Siegel is the keynote speaker at the International Conference on Mindfulness with Youth held in Banff, Alberta July 15-17, 2011.
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Do You Hear What I Hear? Mindfulness Games for Kids
This game helps attune individuals to all the sounds in their environment. It is wonderfully versatile and can be played with one other person, a group, or all alone. In addition it builds concentration and memory. This game encourages open attention as it requires continual scanning of the environment. It is also a sensory game helping to focus on one sense at a timewhich is helpful when working with children with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and other sensory challenges.
Do You Hear What I Hear
Before you leave to walk somewhere, especially if you are going on a route you’ve taken many times and want to engage the participants attention, ask the children to help you guess the number of different sounds you’ll hear along the way. Then while walking, say “I can hear a _____________” and wait until the others hear that sound too. Keep walking and let everyone have a turn identifying sounds. Keep a running tally of all the sounds. Can you recall each one? In order?
Alternatively you can do this game while stationary. Have everyone sit comfortably, or lay down, and close their eyes. Tune into the various sounds around you. The hum of the lights, music playing in the distance, a clock ticking, air conditioning or a furnace turning on or off, a friend’s breath, your own beating heart. Mentally note each sound, then move on, continually scanning for ones which weren’t even aware of before this moment. After a few minutes, open your eyes and share with the group the sounds you heard.
Do You See What I See Variation
Instead of “I can hear” use “I can see” and point out to each other anything interesting you see. You could also be specific and look only for a certain type of thing. Only red things? Only new things, such as a recently bloomed flower or newly painted fence?
For a complete listing of yoga and mindfulness games visit the Yoga Games Page.