Here's What To Do
Find an open space with room to move.
Do the Spaghetti Test: wiggle your child's arms and legs to make sure they're relaxed, like spaghetti!
Self Hugs: have your child lie on their back and hug their knees tight into their chest. Encourage them to squeeze all the muscles in their body and then let go. Repeat 3 times.
Mouse Pose: have your child sit on their heels, then bring their forehead down to rest in front of their knees. Then, ask your child to rest their arms alongside their body with palms facing up. Take 5 deep breaths in mouse pose.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Stand up and close your eyes. Pay attention to how the floor feels beneath your feet.
Engage:
- "Can you relax your leg muscles so much they are loose like spaghetti?"
- "Squeeze all your muscles as hard as you can. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze… and relax."
Encourage:
- "Hmmm… I don't think this spaghetti arm is wiggly enough, can you relax your muscles more?"
- "Do you think you could try to stay still in mouse pose? See if you can let all your muscles relax and just pay attention to your breathing."
Reflect:
- "How did these exercises make you feel? When might we want to add these exercises to our day?"
Not quite ready?
Demonstrate these movements for your child and describe how they make you feel.
Ready for more?
Look up more yoga poses on the Internet and add a few new moves to your routine.
As your child masters this skill...
They participate in a mindfulness exercise with an adult.