BEDTIME Grades 1 - 3 | Week Two | The Guard Dog
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Week One - The Owl Week Three - The Hippo Week Four - The Monkey Week Five - The Elephant Week Six - The Dolphin Week Seven - The Panda Week Eight - The Pig
Week Two - The Guard Dog
Grades 1 - 3
Subject: The Brain’s Radar for Threat - The Amygdala - The Guard Dog
This week’s lesson is all about our brain’s threat radar, the Amygdala.
Step One: The DIY Belly Buddy Crafting Project
Make your own Belly Buddy!
In order to get the most out of the Belly Buddy program, you will first need to make this week’s Belly Buddy. A Belly Buddy is an animal craft that relates to this week’s brain science lesson. You will need it for the Lesson and the Meditation practice. We recommend you make the Guard Dog Belly Buddy from a toilet paper roll. Make it as early in the week as you can, so you have time to use it during the week. Click here for toilet paper animal template.
When you are done, roll up an old sock and push it inside the toilet paper roll to give your Belly Buddy some weight and stability.
A Streamlined Option
Simply use a plush toy or place a hand on the belly while practicing the bedtime lesson and meditation.
Step Two: Play the Guard Dog Lesson & Meditation - 9 minutes
When your Guard Dog Belly Buddy is complete, (or you may choose to use an existing plush toy or to simply place a hand on the belly in place of the Belly Buddy), listen to the Lesson and Meditation below, at bedtime. You can listen with your Parent/Guardian, or on your own. You can come back and listen to the lesson as often as you like. Your Parents/Guardians also have their own Guard Dog Lesson to listen to. Ask them if they plan to take their Mindfulness lesson this week!
Step Three: Meditation Reflection
Consider these questions on your own or discuss with a Parent/Guardian. There are no wrong answers!
Was the body scan difficult to do? What made it difficult?
In what part of your body did you notice the most feelings (feet, knees, head, hands)? What feelings/sensations did you notice?
Are there things which cause your brain’s Guard Dog/Amygdala to start barking/triggering? What are the things during your day/week that cause you to become stressed or overwhelmed?
When you are feeling afraid or stressed what feelings/sensations do you notice in your body (tingling in hands, feet; upset belly, red face, heart beating faster)?
When you are stressed or feeling afraid, what kinds of things do you do to help yourself relax and calm the Guard Dog of your brain? (deep breathing, think of something funny or watch something funny, mindful listening, body scan…)
Step Four: Do you remember your Mindful Job for this week?
Practice the Body Scan Meditation. Also pay attention to your brain’s Guard Dog and notice when it has been triggered and is barking.
Step Five: Listen to this Meditation at Bedtime - 8 minutes
Every night, at bedtime, practice this Body Scan Meditation before you go to sleep.
Step Six: Journal Exercise
Draw a picture of the things that help your brain’s Guard Dog feel peaceful/quiet/calm (laughing, deep breathing, spending time outdoors, mindful listening, a body scan meditation, exercise, listening to music…..).