By Pradeepa Jayaratna, Dayhome Educator in Edmonton
Today, we explored something very special, our amazing brains! To start, I handed each child a soft foam brain and asked, “Can you show me where your brain is?” The children eagerly placed the foam brains on their heads, smiling and giggling as they showed me where their own brains were. This was a wonderful moment of learning, as they connected their understanding of their body with a fun and engaging activity.
I then shared an important message: “Sometimes, our brains need a break!” I explained that just like our bodies, our minds also need rest and care. I talked about different ways we can take a brain break:
- Listening to music
- Going on a nature walk
- Getting enough sleep to recharge our brains
- Practicing acts of kindness to feel good inside
After our discussion, I introduced a chime and invited the children to close their eyes (if they wanted) and simply listen to the sound. Each child got a turn to ring the chime, waiting for the sound to fade before passing it along.
- First, Nash had a turn to ring the chime.
- Then, Jackson gently struck the chime and listened carefully.
- William took his turn next, showing patience and focus.
- Kahani rang the chime and smiled as the sound filled the room.
- Kinnley was excited when I said it was her turn and repeated back, “Kinnley’s turn!”
- Zuri took her turn last and even reminded her friends to be “quiet” as they listened to the sound.
The children practiced patience and turn-taking, showing respect for each other as they waited for their turn. It was a beautiful moment of mindfulness, as everyone listened and enjoyed the silence that followed the chime.
Reflection:
- The children were actively engaged in identifying their brains and understanding their importance.
- They practiced patience and focus while listening to the chime.
- They explored mindfulness by noticing the silence and how it made them feel.
- They supported and encouraged each other during the activity.
By the end of our activity, we all agreed:
Taking care of our brains is just as important as taking care of our bodies!
