Heartfulness

 Activities Pre-teens and Teens

Activity Children

 Activity Children, Pre-teens and Teens

Grateful kids and teens are less likely to experience depression or jealousy, and more likely to do well in school, according to research from the American Psychological Association. Researchers have identified four parts of gratitude that help children practice gratefulness using the “notice-think-feel-do” questions:

Notice: This helps children see the amount of thought that goes into a gift. For example, if they’re given a sports jersey you could say, “Notice how it’s your favorite player’s name?” or “Notice how it’s in your favorite color?” 

Think: Help children understand why they received the gift by asking, “Why do you think you received this gift?” Maybe it’s for a birthday, or holiday—or maybe just because someone loves them.

Feel: Give children the space to process their emotions by asking, “How does this gift make you feel?” Common answers could be happy, excited, or loved. 

Do: Remind children to express thanks by asking, “Is there a way you want to show how you feel?” It could be by making a card, giving the gift-giver a hug, or simply remembering to say thank you. 

Kids may not always be able to answer all of these questions, but practicing them will reinforce the habit of expressing gratitude and appreciation over time. 

                                          Source: https://www.mindful.org/four-ways-to-foster-gratitude-in-children/

 Activities Pre-teens and Teens

Activity Children, Pre-teens and Teens

Peace, Bugs, and Understanding by Gail Silver

 Have You Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

It’s Great to Be Kind by Jordan Collins and Stuart Lynch

 What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio

Lyrics and link to music track

 Activities Pre-teens and Teens

Here’s how to take in the good to make the positive stick rather than slide away in three simple steps.

 Take in the Good: Build your inner strength, one small moment at a time.

1. Notice something good

Look for small, good things in your day, like a smile, a funny moment, your pet, or something you like about yourself.

Pause and let yourself feel good about it, even just for 30 seconds.

Try this a few times a day, walking to school, brushing your teeth, before bed.

If part of you wants to skip it or says “this doesn’t matter” that’s okay. Notice it, then gently focus back on the good.

Think of it like a yummy snack: don’t just look, taste it!

2. Really feel it

Stay with the good feeling for a little while, 20 to 30 seconds.

Let it spread through your body like a warm glow or a peaceful feeling.

The longer you feel it, the more your brain remembers it, making it easier to feel good in the future.

You’re not holding on or pretending, you're just filling yourself up with something that feels kind and safe.

The more you do this, the stronger and calmer you become inside.

3. Let it sink in

Imagine the good feeling soaking in like sunshine, warm cocoa, or a glowing light.

You might picture a treasure chest in your heart where you keep good moments.

Or just know: your brain is learning, rewiring, and growing stronger each time.

One moment might feel small, but lots of small moments add up to real change.

Any single time you do this will make only a little difference. But over time those little differences will add up, gradually weaving positive experiences into the fabric of your brain and your self.

Source: Rick Hanson, Ph.D.

A simple animation about the impact of focusing on the important things in life.