Young people have to cope with stress yet often are given little or no practical help, nor are they taught coping strategies.
Using the popular technique of Circle Time, this book provides a range of exercises to promote relaxation, inner confidence and a positive sense of self through the use of visualisation. These strategies are already established in other walks of life, such as sport, and will build on emotional literacy work elsewhere in the curriculum.
The exercises are also accompanied by questions, discussion prompts and worksheets. This book will be useful for all adults who want to provide young people aged 8 upwards with the tools to assist emotional development.
Introduction
A Relaxation Exercise
Learning to relax the body
Row Your Boat
A visualisation for generating wellbeing and inner peace inner peace
The Giant Within
Creating a big person internally
The House that Peace Built
Creating peaceful spaces within and exploring the fact that there are many aspects to ourselves
Mirror, Mirror On My Wall
Building a positive internal image of ourselves based on acceptance
The Happy Forest
A visualisation and wellbeing exercise for generating warmth towards oneself
Sky Dance with An Eagle
Promoting inner peace and wellbeing
Butterfly Valley
A visualisation exercise for building confidence
Balloons
Learning to let go of troublesome and persistent thoughts
The Roar of the Crowd
Taking on challenges and becoming a winner internally
Quick Fixes and Tune Ups
Bow and Arrow
A visualisation exercise for dispersing of negative emotion
The Tap
Turning off negative emotions and recognising choice in going with or against an emotion
Receptive Hands
Creating openness towards the challenge of learning
Exams
A mental preparation for sitting exams
Start of Day Positive Focus 1
Creating a climate of positive interaction
Start of Day Positive Focus 2
Creating a climate of positive interaction
Ball of Light
A circle game for developing goodwill amongst a class or a group
From Buds to Flowers
Working towards a wholesome future self