Gratitude in Motion: Incorporating Mindfulness and Yoga Into Your Classroom This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving presents a perfect opportunity for early childhood educators to foster a sense of gratitude and mindfulness in the classroom. Integrating mindfulness and yoga into your Thanksgiving activities can help young children cultivate an attitude of appreciation, awareness, and calm.

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Here’s how you can bring these practices into your classroom this season.

1. Gratitude Circle

Begin your day with a Gratitude Circle, where each child has the chance to share something they’re thankful for. This simple activity encourages positive thinking and helps children recognize and appreciate the good things in their lives.

You can use a “Thankfulness Tree” where each child writes or draws what they are grateful for on a leaf and attaches it to a tree on a bulletin board. 

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2. Pumpkin Patch Focus

Mindfulness activities can help children stay present and calm, which is especially useful during the busy holiday season. 

Use a pumpkin or any seasonal item as a focal point for a short meditation. Encourage children to notice the colors, textures, and shapes of the pumpkin, helping them to ground their attention and practice observation skills. See HERE for free pumpkin breathing exercises.  

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pumpkin Breathing Exercise:

• Start by finding a comfortable spot.
• Ask the children to sit down in a comfortable position, either on the floor or in their chairs, with their hands resting in front of them.
• Place your finger on the pumpkin’s starting point.
• Show them where to place their finger on the printable pumpkin outline—at the base of the pumpkin stem.
• Inhale slowly as you trace up the left side of the pumpkin.
• As they trace the line upwards toward the top of the pumpkin, encourage them to take a deep breath in through their nose, filling their lungs slowly.
• Pause at the top and hold your breath for a count of 3.
• Once their finger reaches the top of the pumpkin, they should pause and hold their breath for three seconds. Encourage them to count silently in their mind.
• Exhale as you trace down the right side of the pumpkin.
• As they move their finger down the right side of the pumpkin, they should breathe out slowly and deeply through their mouth, releasing all the air.
• Repeat for a few more rounds.
• Encourage the children to repeat this process three to five times, maintaining slow and steady breathing.
• Optional: Add a calming affirmation!
• For an extra mindful touch, after each full breath, you can invite children to say something calming to themselves like, “I am calm,” or “I feel peaceful.”

These simple steps can help guide kids into a mindful and focused state, perfect for transitions or calming moments.

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‍3. Yoga Poses with a Thanksgiving Twist

Integrating yoga into your classroom can be a fun and effective way to help children develop flexibility, strength, and relaxation skills. Here are some Thanksgiving-themed yoga poses:

• Turkey Pose: Have children stand on one leg (like a turkey on one leg) and use their arms for balance. They can also flap their “wings” (arms) to mimic a turkey.
• Pumpkin Pose (Child's Pose): Have children sit cross-legged and place their hands on their knees. Ask them to imagine their bodies are pumpkins and focus on feeling grounded and strong.
• Harvest Stretch: Guide children through a series of stretches while imagining they are reaching for fruits and vegetables in a harvest. This can include reaching up high for apples or bending down to pick up carrots
• Cranberry Chair Pose: Have children bend their knees and sit back as if in a chair, arms forward to mimic holding a basket of cranberries 
• Grateful Heart Pose: Encourage children to lay on their backs and place their hands on their heart and take deep breaths and ask them to share one thing they are grateful for.

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4. Mindful Eating and Sharing

Thanksgiving is often centered around food, making it a great time to practice mindful eating. During snack or lunchtime, encourage children to pay attention to the colors, textures, and flavors of their food.

Try a “Thankful Feast” where children can share what they appreciate about each dish and practice eating slowly and mindfully.

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Thanksgiving Themed Breathing Exercises

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In this video, we’ll guide kids through a fun and easy Pumpkin Breathing Exercise! This activity is perfect for teaching mindfulness and calming strategies to young children.Deep breathing is a great tool for kids to learn because it helps them relax, manage their emotions, and refocus when they’re feeling overwhelmed, excited, or stressed. By tracing along the pumpkin’s outline and breathing deeply, kids will find it easier to calm their bodies and minds, all while having fun!

Benefits of Deep Breathing for Kids:

-Helps reduce anxiety and stress

-Improves focus and attention

-Encourages emotional regulation

-Supports a calm and peaceful environment

Use this exercise in the classroom, at home, or anytime kids need a quick reset. Let’s breathe and enjoy some seasonal fun together!

Incorporating These Practices Throughout the Year

While Thanksgiving provides a special opportunity to focus on gratitude and mindfulness, these practices can be beneficial year-round. By weaving mindfulness and yoga into your daily routine, you help children develop essential skills for emotional regulation, focus, and resilience.

This Thanksgiving, embrace the spirit of gratitude and mindfulness in your classroom. By doing so, you create a nurturing environment that supports the well-being and growth of your students, helping them to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may your days be filled with peace, joy, and plenty of gratitude!

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And don’t forget to check out our fall-themed yoga cards, perfect for inspiring seasonal mindfulness in your classroom—get yours today!

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