Week Six - The Dolphin

Grades 4 - 6

Subject: Loving Kindness - The Dolphin

This week’s lesson is all about how we can share loving kindness with the people around us - The Dolphin.

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 Dolphin 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 Dolphin Lesson & Meditation - 10 minutes

When your Dolphin 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 Lesson to listen to. Ask them if they plan to take their Mindfulness lesson this week!

Step Three: Meditation Reflection

Please consider the following questions on your own or discuss with a Parent/Guardian.  There are no wrong answers!

  1. What special someone did you send Loving Kindness to during the meditation?

  2. How did it feel in your body when you sent this special someone Loving Kindness?

  3. What else did you notice when you practiced the Loving Kindness Meditation (for example thinking and emotions)?

Note:  We are trying to focus on sending our Loving Kindness to someone in our life who is alive and well.  But sometimes we end up wanting to send our Loving Kindness to someone we love who has passed away.  This is natural, but it can also cause us to feel sad because we miss this person.  It is OK to feel this way.  It is important to notice those feelings too.  If you find yourself sending your Loving Kindness to someone who has passed away, be sure to repeat the meditation and send Loving Kindness to someone who is alive and well.  When you do see if you notice a difference in how each of these meditations made you feel.  How were they alike?  How were they different?

Step Four: Do you remember your Mindful Challenge for this week?

Practice sending wishes for health, happiness, peace and love….to someone special. 

Step Five: Listen to this Meditation at Bedtime - 6 minutes each

Every night, at bedtime, practice the Loving Kindness Meditation before you go to sleep.

Step Six: Journal Exercise

Who do you know (friend, family member, neighbor, relative, classmate) who may be struggling with sickness, loneliness, sadness?  Make a list of the simple things you could do to help this person.

Write a letter to someone you are thankful to have in your life. Explain in your letter what it is about this someone that makes him or her so special to you and why you are so thankful to have this person in your life.  Give your letter to this special person

Congratulations! You have completed Week Six!

Did your Parent/Guardian complete their Week Six?