The Dream of the Good simple meditation and mindfulness methods were originally deisigned for highschool students. An enthusiastic preschool director joined our workgroup at an early stage. "This training we ought to start with already the first day of preschool!", she said. We adjusted the methods to fit the very youngest children in preschool! In Sweden many children start when they are one year old! The results are remarkable! When the children enter Elementary school stillness methods are natural to them and they expect to continue the training.
The methods are based on research and experience. They are easy to learn, easy to use and are easily integrated with existing curricula. They are well liked by both students and teachers. They have been adjusted to different age groups. Some exercises you, as a teacher, can implement in the preschool right away, others you need to learn at short training courses. Begin with the method that appeals to you and you experience as simple. Below are some examples of exercises for the preschool. You can also download more exercises as a PDF document.
Read more about our training courses.
See project examples.
Read about Stillness and landart!Stillness:My hand says ‘peace and quiet’.
Do this exercise at the beginning of the group gathering.
Sit in a circle. The teacher holds up his or her hand, palm facing the children and whispers, “my hand can speak, it says, 'peace and quiet’.” The teacher moves her hand slowly around the circle so that her palm is facing each child, at the same time catching the eye of the child. When everyone has been seen and become still, you sit for a while resting in the silence.
Peaceful touch Make believe shower:
Start by rubbing your hands, then your face, neck, chest, belly and the front of your legs. Rub the back of your legs from the bottom up, buttocks and back, as far as you can reach. Rub your arms and the sides of your trunk, the sides of your legs. When you have washed yourself you pretend that you take some water and throw it on your body. Now you are clean and nice-smelling, your body is soft. Finally, you pretend that you apply some lotion straight from the flowers, and you rub your skin lightly and carefully barely touching it.
Reflection:To talk to the heart
Sit in a circle, wait until everyone is quiet and relaxed. (You can use a shorter version of the hand exercise that is described under Stillness.) Put your hand on your heart. What feelings are there? What do you see? Is it a warm and good feeling? Does it feel cold and empty? Does it feel sad and lonely? Everyone is still and quiet and tries to feel their experience in their heart.Those who want to tell are asked to talk.
If someone feels sad or lonely the others are asked, while they’re still holding their hand on their heart, to remember what a good friend their mate is. When they have felt the love in their own heart they send it directly to the heart of their mate. The mate, with his/her hand on the heart, focuses on receiving their love. Then you ask him or her “How do you feel now?” Continue the exercise until the sad friend is happy again.
Lillemor Stålbom, preschool teacher at Rönnby förskola.
Movement:Children's Qigong
To identify with the deer, the bird, the bear, the monkey and the tiger and mimic their movements awakes dormant powers in the child. It stimulates the five central bodily organs, which according to Chinese medicine are connected with these animals: the heart, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys and the spleen. The method counteracts restlessness and stress, stimulates the child's imagination and power of concentration and helps to create a harmonious and loving relationship to nature and fellow human beings. The Children´s Qigong is suitable for children up to 10-12 years old. For the youngest children the method is more like fun healthy play. The Children´s qigong is developed by Fan Xiulan, the Biyun School
Read more about Teacher´s training in Children's Qigong The Power of Nature Yoga
The Children´s Yoga of the Dream of the Good is designed for grade school students and intended for practice in the classroom. It consists of large, powerful movements in combination with effective focus inspired by nature. The exercises awaken dormant strengths in the children, promoting the connection between the inner and outer environment contributing to a more loving relationship with nature and fellow human beings. The movements help the body to open up and release tensions and they are especially good for the spine. Simultaneously, they stimulate the blood circulation supporting the inner organs.
The program takes about 15-20 minutes.
Read more about the Teacher´s training in The Power of Nature Yoga