Activity: The Nature of Mindfulness – Your Mind in a Jar – Early Learning

Quick summary: The aim of this activity is to help children make sense of mindfulness. Children will create a glitter jar using glitter from nature. They will then use the jar during the activity as a way of focusing their attention. They will develop skills in focus, resilience, emotional intelligence and regulation of the body and emotions.  

Activity developed in partnership with the

Following this lesson is an ideal way for students to participate in Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day – the largest nature-care event in Australian schools. So, get growing! It only takes a minute to register for Schools Tree Day.

This activity is designed to help children develop mindful practices through sensory and play-based experiences.

EYLF Learning Outcome	Elaborations
Outcome 1: Children are connected with and contribute to their world	Children feel safe, secure and supported Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect
Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well being	Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual well being Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical well being

 

Equipment needed:  A container with a screw-on lid for each child (a jar or small bottle with a wide neck would work well – if this is not possible, then the jars can simply be shared among the children), hot water, clear dishwashing soap, glycerine, an old spoon or stick for stirring, super glue or a hot glue gun. For glitter from nature use bottlebrush flowers, fine sawdust, sweet wattle leaves, lilly pilly flowers or anything else suitable from your garden. Alternatively, you could use eco glitter.

Supporting resources: 

• Cool Australia factsheet – The Benefits of Mindfulness
• Cool Australia factsheet – The Importance of Mindfulness for Young Children

 Other resources:

• Smiling Mind
• Headspace
• Bright Tomorrows
• Mind Australia
• Mindfulness for Kids
• Mindfulness for kids – four easy mindfulness exercises for children

Topic: Nature of Mindfulness.

The curriculum adviser: Anja Tanhane is a highly experienced educator who designs mindfulness training and programs. Find out more about Anja here and check out her website.

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.