As educators, we know that students can sometimes become overwhelmed and need a moment to refocus and calm their minds. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help our students achieve a more balanced and peaceful state. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging, no-prep activity that utilizes our senses to promote relaxation and focus in the classroom.

Introduction

Our brain and body are interconnected, and by paying attention to our senses, we can help our students achieve a state of calm and focus. This blog post will guide you through a simple, no-prep activity that encourages students to use their senses to become more aware of their surroundings and achieve a sense of calm. Additionally, we will provide discussion questions to stimulate further conversations and mention related skills that can be beneficial for students.

No-Prep Activity

In this activity, students will take a short break to engage their senses and become more aware of their surroundings. This exercise can be done individually or as a group. Here’s how to guide your students through the activity:

1. Ask students to sit comfortably in their chairs and close their eyes.
2. Invite them to take a few deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of their breath entering and leaving their body.
3. Next, ask them to pay attention to the sounds around them, noticing even the smallest noises.
4. Have them focus on the sensations they feel on their skin, such as the texture of their clothes or the feeling of their feet on the floor.
5. Encourage them to take a moment to smell the air, noticing any scents in the room.
6. Finally, ask them to open their eyes and take in their surroundings, looking for something they haven’t noticed before.

This activity can be repeated whenever students need a moment to refocus and calm their minds. It’s a simple yet effective way to help them become more present and aware of their environment.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversations and reflection among your students:

1. How did focusing on your senses help you feel more calm and present?
2. Which sense did you find the most relaxing to focus on and why?
3. How can you use this activity in other situations when you need to calm down or refocus?
4. How did your awareness of your surroundings change after completing the activity?
5. Why is it important to take breaks and practice calming techniques throughout the day?

Related Skills

There are other relevant skills that can be beneficial for students when practicing calming techniques. Some of these skills include:

• Mindfulness: Becoming more aware of the present moment and focusing on the task at hand.
• Stress management: Learning how to cope with stress and develop healthy strategies for dealing with challenges.
• Emotion regulation: Understanding and managing emotions to respond appropriately to situations.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing personal strengths, weaknesses, and emotions, and understanding how they impact behavior.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about this calming activity and its benefits, we encourage you to explore more resources and activities to support your students’ Social-Emotional Learning journey. Sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech to discover more ways to help your students thrive in the classroom and beyond.