February 4 – Stillness and our Senses
Welcome to Kaleidoscope for the year! We gathered on a very hot summer’s afternoon but were fortunate to have cooling to rest and relax in. We began with refreshing our memory of the story of Stillwater the panda (Jon J Muth) and the way this story character reminds us how it still our books and listen to the wisdom of stories.
We talked about the ways we like to be still – times when we are awake but still. Perhaps up a tree, looking at nature through a window, resting on our beds, enjoying a book, cuddling a favourite toy or lying quietly on the couch.
We shared two books today.
The first ‘I am Peace’ is a beautiful reflection on how to self regulate, how to ground ourselves and be present in the here and now. The book has lovely ideas about using our five senses to help us feel calm. When we use our sense to closely pay attention to our surroundings, we can find a sense of inner peace and calm, we be still within ourselves, whatever is happening around us.
Every child chose a small fabric bag. Over the afternoon they could collect or make things to put in the bag that matched each of their senses.
First every one was given two tiny sweets of different flavours. They had to silently taste them and put a thumb up when they knew each flavour. We talked about the value of mindful eating – slowing down the process of eating something to really appreciate the flavours and to be present to the experience.
Next, everyone chose two pebbles – one stone and one glass. We held one in each hand and closed our eyes. We swapped hands and focussed on what was the same about each pebble and what was different. We noted that we could pay attention even more when we closed our eyes to do this.
Over afternoon tea we read our second story ‘My love for you is everywhere’ which poignantly describes the feelings of both missing being with others whilst also experiencing the light and love of their care for us, whether near or far.
The craft activities enabled children to make items to match their other three senses. They made glasses with cellophane lenses to use their sense of sight o see the world differently. They had a little sachet of lavender which they could hang on a string with beads and squish gently to enjoy smelling the fragrance. They could also make a decorative bell hanger and hear the tiny sound of a bell each time they jingled it.
There was also a painting activity where children could cut out a picture of Stillwater and paint a scene for the panda to be part of.
In our final gathering circle we read through two reflections about how to be still and hold on and how to be still and let go. Both can help us with our sense of calm and wellbeing.
We also did a meditation together where we focused on each of the senses – slowly we identified one thing we could taste, two things we could smell, three things we could hear, four things we could see and five things we could touch. Our senses are a simple yet powerful way to remind ourselves that we are here in the present moment and all is well.
Kaleidoscope 