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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