Table of Contents

Introduction



How to Use This Book



Step One-Intention

• Activity 1: Setting Intention (Inclining the mind)

• Activity 2: Shredder - Moving From What We Don’t Want To What We Do Want

• Activity 3: Cup Of Water



Step Two-Mindfulness- The Heart Of It All

• Activity 1: Starting a Practice Of Their Own

• Activity 2: *Mindfulness Through The Eyes Of A Child

• Activity 3: Puppy Mindfulness

• Activity 4: Weaving in the good- Craft

• Activity 5: Magical Cave- Guided Journey



Step Three-Gratitude

• Activity 1: Arrows Of Gratitude

• Activity 2: Planting Seeds

• Activity 3: Gratitude Flags

• Activity 4: Years of Gratitude



Step Four-Joy in Difficult Times

• Activity 1: Building Muscles To Use In Difficult Times

• Activity 2: Shine The Spotlight On The Positive

• Activity 3: Happy Memories



Step Five-Integrity?

• Activity 1: Through the Veils
• Activity 2: Cutting The Cords Of Wrong Doing

• Activity 3: Family Breathing



Step Six-The Joy of Letting Go?

• Activity 1: The Power Of Touch

• Activity 2: Blow It Away

• Activity 3: The Emotional Embodiment Of Deep Relaxation



Step Seven-Loving Ourselves?

• Activity 1: Loving ourselves just as we are

• Activity 2: Being My Own Best Friend

• Activity 3: Celebrating who we are with a family bead necklace

• Activity 4: Pen Pals



Step Eight-Connection with Others?

• Activity 1: Sparkles - Acknowledging One Another

• Activity 2: Ten ways to play again

• Activity 3: Building Community And Connection

• Activity 4: Sticky Friendships



Step Nine-Compassion

• Activity 1: Self Compassion

• Activity 2: Mindful Tea

• Activity 3: Full Moon Nights

• Activity 4: Awakening Listening



Step Ten-The Joy of Being: Embrace Life

• Activity 1: Fairy Garden and Leaf People

• Activity 2: Stone Soup: Celebrating Life

• Activity 3: Joy Through The Lens Of A Camera

• Activity 4: In Service

About the Author

James Baraz has been a meditation teacher since 1978. In 2003 he created the Awakening Joy course, which he teaches at the Omega Institute, Esalen Institute, and other venues across the United States and abroad. He is co-founding Teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Canter in Woodacre, California, and author, with Shoshana Alexander, of Awakening Joy, the book based on the course. Early in his life, James was an elementary school teacher in Astoria, Queen for 12 years. James lives in Berkeley, California with his wife, Jane. He has two sons and three grandchildren.

Michele Lilyanna has taught in the public education system for the past 25 years, although all of her principals have described her as "out of the box" and out of the building with her students! For most of that time her focus has been social and emotional learning. When Michele is not teaching parents, educators, or children, you will find her awakening joy on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia with her partner Peter and her two sons.

Reviews

“Awakening Joy for Kids is an extraordinary gift for parents, teachers, and most especially for our children. James Baraz and Michele Lilyanna offer simple yet powerful teachings, which have the potential to transform our individual and collective lives. I highly recommend this book!”
—Shauna Shapiro PhD, Mindful Discipline and The Art and Science of Mindfulness

“This is a magical book. Like the Nutra-Grow we put on our plants to help them bloom, these practices really make Joy and Wisdom grow! What a wonderful nurturance for our children. “
—Jack Kornfield, PhD, The Wise Heart
 
“This beautiful book goes straight to the heart, so rich with simple, powerful, practical things that children and adults can do to grow real and lasting resilience, compassion, and joy inside themselves.”—Rick Hanson, PhD, Hardwiring Happiness and Just One Thing
 
“Awakening Joy For Kids is a treasure trove filled with creative, wise, accessible, and engaging practices, that’ll nourish you and the children in your life. Don't wait; start practicing now!”
—Dawn Scott, Family Program Coordinator, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, California

“Chock full of easy and practical suggestions for finding joy — and peace! — as a teacher or parent, for helping children develop the skills they need for their own happiness. James Baraz is one the most important and inspirational happiness teachers alive today; if you have children or work with them, don’t miss this terrific collaboration with master teacher Michele Lilyanna.”— Christine Carter, PhD, Raising Happiness and The Sweet Spot, Senior Fellow, Greater Good Science Center
 
“The lessons throughout Awakening Joy for Kids are timely as well as timeless. Knowing what brings true happiness, ease, and well-being is an important wisdom to be passed on to next generations. Awakening Joy for Kids has gifted parents and educators with a fun and accessible guide to teach our kids the social and emotion skills they need to live fuller, well-rounded lives. “—Kate Munding, Founder of Heart-Mind Education, creating mindfulness training for teachers
 
“Awakening Joy for Kids is the new ‘go-to’ resource to help parents and teachers help children manage fears and worries and develop a deep inner wellspring of well-being. These lessons are fun, playful, practical, and easily adaptable for home and school. Well-organized and beautifully illustrated, Awakening Joy for Kids is ‘kid-tested,’ reader friendly, and life-changing. Highly recommended.”—Linda Graham, MFT, Bouncing Back
 
 “At once inspiring, practical, doable, and fun, Awakening Joy for Kids is for children and adults alike, making quality-of-life the highest priority. This book supports the development of the whole human being and is a much-needed addition to our curriculum for educating children in this world.”—Robert Gonzales, PhD, Co-Founder of the Nonviolent Training Institute, Past President of the Board of Directors of the Center for Nonviolent Communication
 
“Weaving together the discoveries of contemporary science with the real needs of children in classrooms and beyond, the authors have gifted adults everywhere a treasured resource. Central to the message is that all human beings have light, and we adults have a profoundly important role in ensuring we nurture an awakening of joy so that each child can grow and be all they were intended to be. I love this book!”—Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, Discipline Without Damage
 
“Fresh.  Friendly.  Fantastic. Finally. In this era of testing and achievement, Michele and James give delightfully practical form and direction to educators, parents, and all of us humans who care about equipping our children (and ourselves) to lead joyful, resilient lives.  Simple and profound, Awakening Joy for Kids is an inoculation against the maladies of fear and hopelessness that come when we lose track of our inherent playfulness, creativity, and wisdom.  An easy, accessible reference that I will generously recommend.”—Ann McKnight, LMSW, ACSW, TEDx talk on Restorative Circles