Preschool: Head Start & Special Ed, Grounding Lesson Plan (Mare)

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet firmly planted on your mat. As you belly breathe, close your eyes and think about the tallest tree you have ever seen. Now, imagine what the tree’s roots must look like underground – perhaps the roots are twice the height of the tree.

Continue to lie on your back with bent knees. Lift up one leg flex and point, roll ankles. Switch legs. Twist – place arms out like a T and let your bent knees roll to one side and turn your head in the opposite direction. Let your legs be heavy and relaxed as we take two long breaths. Twist to the other side.

Active

Rock side to side: Rock front to back. Boat pose – hold for two breaths. Lie down and rest. Rock and roll and move to a seated position. Hoberman, Stretches L, R, up, down, seated crescent moon, volcano.

Balance game: Pair children up with a partner and play music. One partner leads and the other follows their movements. When the music stops the leader must remain in that position and balance on one foot and the partner can support if needed. Continue for six cycles, so each child has three turns to balance.

Woodchopper

Roots: Start in mountain pose and take three long deep breaths. Rock to the front and back keeping your feet firmly planted on your mat. Make the movements smaller and smaller until you are at the center of your mat. Now, rock side to side and slowly return to center. Make circles to the right and notice how your weight shifts in your feet. Make circles smaller and smaller until you come back to center. Do the same thing on the left.

Tree pose – Tree Circle

Calm

Relaxation: Mindful Moment card on grounding. “Now imagine you can plant a tree in a special place. Go to that place, dig a big hole and plant your tree. Imagine you can see into the future and watch your tree grow tall.” How tall is your tree?