A collection of 30 mindfulness exercises to help kids feel calm, focused, or energised that can be done without leaving their seats.
Kira Willey is an award-winning songwriter, kids' yoga expert, and creator of Rockin' Yoga School Programs. She has released three nationally acclaimed albums of children's yoga songs that blend upbeat, danceable music with get-up-and-move yoga inspiration. Her fourth release, Mindful Moments for Kids, is the inspiration for Breathe Like a Bear. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children and can be found online at kirawilley.com.
“Breathe Like a Bear is a beautiful guide to mindfulness. Parents,
teachers, caregivers— and especially kids—will love the different
ways to explore mindfulness and breath through animals and story in
Breathe Like a Bear. Both lyrical and practical, this much-needed
book will help children navigate the world around them!”
—Susan Verde, author of I Am Yoga and I Am Peace
“I love this book! Breathe Like a Bear is filled with playful and
imaginative ideas for helping kids connect to themselves, whether
it’s their own strong energy or inner calm. Each moment that Kira
has so elegantly sculpted and described conjures up delicious,
beautiful, or whimsical, child-friendly scenarios. It’s exactly
this fun and accessible style that will make kids want to try every
one of these little gems that provides simple tools for big
change.”
—Laurie Berkner, award-winning and bestselling children’s musical
artist
Author Willey brings years of experience in children's music and
movement to her debut.The book is divided into five sections ("Be
Calm," "Focus," "Imagine," "Make Some Energy," and "Relax"), which
are further sectioned into double-page-spread subtopics. Each
spread includes one or two breath-centered exercises to encourage a
habit and practice of mindfulness. Most, but not all, include
references to wild animals and nature that are sure to appeal to
young children. They are encouraged to use their imaginations as
launch pads for being present: "Imagine you're a cloud in the sky"
and "Imagine you're a sleepy lion, just waking up in the morning"
are typical. The exercises are brief and excellent for short
attention spans, though some offer opportunities for extension
through pacing. The instructional text is simple enough for fluent
readers to use in self-guided practice, though each exercise likely
works best as a read-aloud. Betts accompanies each exercise with
charming illustrations featuring foxes, elephants, fanciful clouds,
and, of course, bears. This friendly book is sure to appeal to
educators and caregivers looking for an accessible and kid-friendly
introduction to mindfulness. A breath of fresh air. - Kirkus
Reviews
Breathe Like a Bear teaches kids how to flex their mindfulness
muscles and be calm, focused, imaginative,energized and relaxed.
Kira Willey offers up fun activities that are sure tocaptivate
young audiences and start them developing positive
energy-producinghabits for their physical and mental well-being.
And as Michelle KelseyMitchell points out in the foreword,
"Children who practice mindfulnessare better able to self-regulate,
have improved social skills... anddemonstrate higher self-esteem."
Accentuating the engaging exercises aredelightful illustrations of
animals and nature portrayed in strikingly boldcolors. This
enjoyable, interactive book is a sneaky way to promote a
healthyapproach to life with the small people you value most.
–Shelf Awareness
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