ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Standards for Students: Academic Development: Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.                               

A:A1.1 Articulate feelings of competence and confidence as learners

A:A1.2 Display a positive interest in learning                                                                                           

A:A3.5 Share knowledge 

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Session One:

Family Discussion Time: 

Discuss with your family the following information about stress. According to Cleveland Clinic, stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur. It can respond to these changes physically, mentally, or emotionally. 

 

What is stress? Explanation for Adults:

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. For adults, even positive life changes such as a promotion, a mortgage, or the birth of a child produce stress. For kids, even positive life changes such as a school dance, a Leader In Me Leadership Day event, having your art exhibited in the Art Show, making a classroom speech for Show and Tell day, or running a "marathon" for gym class produce stress. 

 

What are the warning signs of stress? Explanation for Adults:

Chronic stress can wear down the body's natural defenses, leading to a variety of physical symptoms, including the following:

• Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it."

• General aches and pains.

• Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.

• Headaches.

• Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.

• Increase in or loss of appetite.

• Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders.

• Problems sleeping.

• Racing heart.

• Cold and sweaty palms.

• Tiredness, exhaustion.

• Trembling/shaking.

• Weight gain or loss.

• Upset stomach

 

What is stress? Explanation for Kids:

According to KidsHealth from Nemours by D'Arcy Lyness, PhD, the following is an explanation of what stress is for younger children.  Have you ever felt sick to your stomach during a test? Have you had days when you were so loaded down with homework that you had trouble sleeping? Have you ever been so worried about something that you ended up with a terrible headache?

 

If so, then you know what it's like to feel stress. You've probably heard people say, "Wow, I'm really stressed out" or "This is making me totally stressed." Maybe you hear adults say those kinds of things all the time. But kids have lots of things going on in their lives that can cause stress, too.

 

Stress is what you feel when you are worried or uncomfortable about something. This worry in your mind can make your body feel bad. You may feel angry, frustrated, scared, or afraid — which can give you a stomachache or a headache.

When you're stressed you may not feel like sleeping or eating, or you might sleep or eat too much. You also may feel cranky or have trouble paying attention at school and remembering things at home.

 

For Kids: Ask yourself and discuss the following questions with a family member:

1) Have I experienced stress lately at home?

2) What is making me feel stress at home?

3) What has happened to my body because of the stress?

4) What are some things I can do to calm myself down and relax?

5) What are some mindfulness activities I like to do to calm down?

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Learn About Mindfulness and How It Can Help You Relax:

*Ask a family member to discuss with you what mindfulness means after he/she reads the following history of mindfulness.

History of Mindfulness for Adults:

According to Brain & Life magazine June/July 2020 edition, "rooted in Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness was introduced as a stress reduction technique in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, who defined it as awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment, non-judgmentally." It can be practiced by meditating, doing yoga, or while engaging in activities such as walking, cooking, or brushing your teeth, according to Dr. Kabat-Zinn. According to Brain & Life magazine, being aware of bodily sensations, as well as thoughts and emotional processes coursing through your mind from moment to moment, allows you to respond to daily stressors in a healthy way, rather than simply reacting to them, says David Vago, PhD, a cognitive neuroscientist at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. "Mindfulness can teach you to absorb what's happening, pause, and then respond in a more adaptive way."

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Ask yourself and discuss the following questions with a family member:

1) Have I experienced stress lately at home?

2) What is making me feel stress at home?

3) What has happened to my body because of the stress?

4) What are some things I can do to calm myself down and relax?

5) What are some mindfulness activities I like to do to calm down?

 

Learn About Mindfulness and How It Can Help You Relax:

Mindfulness Introduction, What is it? CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness, What Does It Mean To Be Present? Book CLICK HERE.

Kids Explain Mindfulness Video CLICK HERE.

What Does Being Present Mean? CLICK HERE.

CosmicKids Explains Mindfulness CLICK HERE.

Session Two:

Mindfulness Guided Meditation for Kids, Breathing Exercises CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness Body Meditation for Kids CLICK HERE.

Kids Meditation & Square Breathing CLICK HERE.

Kids Meditation & Counting Breaths CLICK HERE.

Happy Minds Mindfulness Meditation CLICK HERE.

CosmicKids - Kids Yoga with Dinosaurs CLICK HERE.

Session Three:

GoNoodle Bring It Down CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & My Magic Breath Book CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & I Am At Peace Book CLICK HERE.

Try this Activity:  Breathe Like a Navy Seal CLICK HERE

Guided Meditation for Children The Magical Castle CLICK HERE.

CosmicKids Star Wars The Force Awakens Yoga: CLICK HERE.

Session Four:

GoNoodle Let's Unwind CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & Star Wars Yoga CLICK HERE.

Guided Meditation Peace Out with a Balloon CLICK HERE.

Session Five:

GoNoodle Rainbow Breath CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & Frozen Yoga CLICK HERE.

Guided Meditation for Children The Gratitude Tree CLICK HERE.

Session Six:

Mindfulness & Breathe With Me Book CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & MineCraft Yoga CLICK HERE.

Guided Meditation for Children Your Secret Tree House CLICK HERE.

Session Seven:

Hello Sun! Book CLICK HERE.

Alphabreaths Mindful Breathing Book CLICK HERE.

Mindfulness & Spiderman Yoga CLICK HERE.

Guided Meditation for Children Hot Air Balloon Ride CLICK HERE.

Session Eight:

Hello Sun! Book CLICK HERE

The Wizard of Oz Yoga for Kids CLICK HERE

Guided Meditation for Children Land of the Unicorns CLICK HERE.

Session Nine:

Alphabreaths Mindful Breathing Book CLICK HERE

Mindfulness & Spiderman Yoga CLICK HERE

We're Going On A Bear Hunt Yoga CLICK HERE