Calm and Focus

Lesson Overview

Subject: Physical Education (PE)
Unit Title: Mindful Movers: Earth Heroes
Lesson Number: 1 of 4
Lesson Title: Introduction to Mindfulness and Movement
Age Group: Kindergarten (Reception - 4 to 5 years old)
Lesson Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 16 students
Curriculum Area: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development

EYFS Goals Covered:

• Physical Development: Develop coordination, control, and movement through simple exercises.
• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Build an awareness of emotions and how to self-regulate.
• Understanding the World: Foster a connection between movement, mindfulness, and nature to encourage care for the environment.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

1. Understand what mindfulness means in a simple and relatable way.
2. Practise basic breathing exercises to help with focus and self-awareness.
3. Engage in gentle, fun movements that encourage body awareness.
4. Develop an early awareness of how movement and breathing can help them feel calm.

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Resources Needed

• A soft, calming bell or chime
• Small space markers or hoops (one per child)
• A small plant, leaf, or other natural objects for the mindfulness exercise
• Soft background instrumental music (optional)
• A visual aid with simple breathing techniques

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Detailed Lesson Plan

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Activity: "The Stillness Game"

• Have students sit in a circle on the floor.
• Ask them: "Can we be as still as a tree?"
• Ring a soft bell or chime and encourage them to sit quietly until the sound fades.
• Ask: "How did that feel? Was it easy or hard?"
• Brief discussion on how stillness helps us notice our breath and feelings.

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2. Introducing Mindful Breathing (5 Minutes)

Activity: "Blowing the Leaf"

• Show the children a small leaf (or picture of one).
• Ask them to imagine they are holding one in their hands.
• Demonstrate taking a deep breath in and gently blowing out to make the "leaf" move.
• Guide them through this "leaf breath" three times, emphasising slow, gentle inhales and exhales.
• Encourage them to describe how it feels to slow down.

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3. Gentle Movement: Becoming Earth Heroes (10 Minutes)

Activity: "Moving Like Nature"

• Explain that today they are Earth Heroes, moving like nature to stay strong and calm.

• Lead them through simple nature-inspired movements:

  1. "Swaying Trees" – Stand tall with arms stretched up, gently sway side to side like a tree in the wind.
  2. "Fluttering Butterflies" – Bring hands together in front of the chest, moving them out like wings.
  3. "Rolling Waves" – Sit down and stretch arms forward, gently rolling side to side like ocean waves.
  4. "Sleeping Star" – Lie on the floor stretched like a star, take deep breaths and be still.

• Encourage personal expression by letting them choose a movement that reminds them of nature.

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4. Reflection and Closing (5 Minutes)

Activity: "My Calm Moment"

• Have students sit comfortably and close their eyes if they’d like.
• Guide them to recall their favourite part of the lesson.
• End with one final deep breath together.
• Ask: "How do you feel now compared to the start of our lesson?"
• Give praise and celebrate their effort.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe how well students follow breathing exercises (e.g., can they take slow, deep breaths?).
• Watch their engagement and creativity during the movement activities.
• Listen to their reflections—are they able to describe how different movements make them feel?

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Differentiation & Inclusivity

• For students needing extra support: Allow them to watch before joining in, provide gentle hand-over-hand guidance in movements.
• For students who need a challenge: Encourage them to make up new mindful movements based on nature.
• For children with sensory sensitivities: Provide an option to watch and participate when ready, and ensure a quiet space if overwhelmed.

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Teacher Reflection Questions

• Were students engaged with the mindfulness activities?
• Could they describe how breathing or movement made them feel?
• Were there any challenges in maintaining focus? If so, how can this be adjusted next time?

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Next Lesson Preview: "Listening to the Earth"

In the next lesson, we will focus on mindful listening, exploring how sounds in nature can help us feel calm and aware.

🎉 Well done! Your class is on its way to becoming mindful Earth Heroes!